Look Out for Britney Spears… She's the New Doll From Play Along Toys That's Predicted to Climb to the Top of the Charts

Business Wire, Oct 11, 1999

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Oct. 11, 1999--

Virtually overnight, Britney Spears has become the queen of teen pop, an actress and a fashion icon for preteens and teens everywhere. So, what could be next for the teenager whose face has graced the magazine covers of Rolling Stone, Teen People and Entertainment Weekly?

A doll in her likeness, of course. And, while the new Britney Spears Doll from Play Along Toys is slated to hit retail shelves on October 15th, it is already predicted to be the 'hit' of the '99 holiday season.

Success seems to follow Britney Spears wherever she goes. Her online chat on March 8th, 1999 holds the record for the largest online audience for any celebrity and, according to USA Today, the name Britney Spears is one of the most popular search words on the internet.

When her debut album "...Baby One More Time" was released in 1999, it hit the charts at No. 1, and the Catholic school uniform look became an instant "mini" fashion craze. Britney is the youngest female artist in Billboard history to have a simultaneous No. 1 single and album debut at No. 1 in the same week. Not bad for someone who has yet to reach her 18th birthday.

"Britney Spears is a natural for a collectible doll," says Jay Foreman, president of Play Along Toys, and mastermind behind the Spice Girls Dolls phenomenon. "She represents all the qualities that young girls admire and emulate. She has amazing talent, beauty and an engaging personality."

"At an early age, she has accomplished what every girl dreams of doing. She has become an international sensation and preteens and teens can't get enough of her," Foreman concluded.

There are six 11 1/2" dolls in the collection, licensed by Britney Brands via San Francisco-based Signatures Network. Each is distinctively modeled to resemble Britney in each of her three hit videos and three of her live performances. Made of plastic, the doll has flexible joints and hair that girls can style themselves.

To add to the play value, each doll includes accessories to go along with Britney's look from her popular videos. The "...Baby One More Time Doll" wears her signature schoolgirl outfit and comes with a backpack, a sweater, and a microphone. The dolls retail for approximately $14.99 each.

The dolls in the Concert Collection also come with accessories and a microphone plus an extra outfit for more dress-up play. The Britney Concert Dolls have a suggested retail price of $19.99 each.

The Britney Spears Doll will be available at Toys 'R Us, FAO Schwarz, Kmart, Target, Wal-Mart, Bradlees, Ames, Claire's Boutique, Spencer's Gifts and J.C. Penney, among others starting October 15th.

The Britney Spears Doll is the first product marketed by Fort Lauderdale-based Play Along Toys. The company, founded in 1999, manufacturers and markets toys for boys and girls, including dolls, action figures and outdoor toys. Visit the company's website at www.playalongtoys.com for a store nearest you.