Ken Courts Barbie Again

Playthings Staff -- Gifts and Dec, 1/27/2011 3:37:52 PM

On the 50th anniversary of the Ken doll, he is wooing back Barbie in a very 21st century way, according to CNBC, using Ken courts Barbie outside NYC's Javits centerFacebook and Foursquare (Ken checked in from New York's Magnolia Bakery, where he customized a cupcake for Barbie), as well as billboards and print advertising. Barbie is tech-savvy too, apparently, since Ken spotted her on Match.com.

Barbie broke up with Ken Carson in 2004, but they've stayed friends, according to Mattel, manufacturer of the dolls.

Barbie has 1.7 million fans on Facebook, compared to Ken's 26,000. Mattel also introduced "Sweet Talkin' Ken" which can record up to five seconds of sound, and play back the message in either Ken's voice, its original sound or a high-pitched voice.

In addition to Ken's role in Toy Story 3, Mattel launched an online reality series called Genuine Ken: The Search for the Great American Boyfriend, aimed at adult fans, and he'll appear in new animated DVD movies to be released this year.