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I doubt Ken will ever rival Barbie's success, but it will have its audience, from young girls to adult women and men.
(Variety) Mattel is about to put the spotlight on Ken, the former beau of Barbie, giving the doll his own online reality series, "Genuine Ken: The Search for the Great American Boyfriend," to be hosted by "The Hills" and "The City's" Whitney Port.
Last Friday and Saturday, I spent time at the BlizzCon video gaming convention in Anaheim. If you've heard of Warcarft, you know what I'm talking about.
I know about Warcraft because my 13-year-old son Hasan won't stop talking about it.
Here's the Business Casual column.
Jobs poster CareerBuilder came out with a list of the most unusual excuses employees gave for missing work:
1.Employee said a chicken attacked his mom.
2.Employee's finger was stuck in a bowling ball.
3.Employee had a hair transplant gone bad.
4.Employee fell asleep at his desk while working and hit his head, causing a neck injury.
5.Employee said a cow broke into her house and she had to wait for the insurance man.
6.Employee's girlfriend threw a Sit 'n Spin through his living room window.
7.Employee's foot was caught in the garbage disposal.
8.Employee called in sick from a bar at 5p.m. the night before.
9.Employee said he wasn't feeling too clever that day.
10.Employee had to mow the lawn to avoid a lawsuit from the home owner's association
11.Employee called in the day after Thanksgiving because she burned her mouth on a pumpkin pie.
12.Employee was in a boat on Lake Erie, ran out of gas and the coast guard towed him to the Canadian side.
Here's an interesting Q&A on El Segundo-based Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, which has more than 100 stores in Southern California, Arizona and Nevada.
Five years later, Fresh & Easy has not made a dime, and analysts are wondering whether the company should pack up and go home, as so many other British retailers have done before it.
Read more on Fresh & Easy.
Unless there's an out-of-court settlement, Mattel's legal fight over the Bratz franchise could go for many more years.
(Bloomberg) The U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco denied Mattel's petition for rehearing and review by a larger panel of judges, according to a filing today.In July, a three-member appeals panel overturned a December 2008 order that gave Mattel rights to most of MGA's Bratz products.
Read more on Mattel and Bratz.
Lakers owner Jerry Buss says that Earvin "Johnson's" sales doesn't affect their relationship.
I wonder why Johnson decided to sell his minority share in the team.
Here's part of the press release from NBA.com:
EL SEGUNDO - Los Angeles Lakers legend and part-owner Earvin "Magic" Johnson has sold his share of the team to Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, it was announced today. The transaction price of Johnson's share of the team is undisclosed.
Read the full Lakers release.
Beoing Co, which employs thousands of workers at its El Segundo satellite factory and Long Beach C-17 plant, plans to cut health benefits for its non-union employees.
(stltoday.com) Boeing is raising health insurance costs for its non-union employees across the nation, the company confirmed today.
Here's the full Boeing story.
It's not what you would expect. It's not a Porche or Ferrari, but a Mercedes-Benz that's most likely to get you pulled over for a traffic ticket.
Here's the list.
Tesla, co-founded by technology entrepreneur Elon Musk, is really making waves, mostly because Musk is attached to it. Musk, who also head Hawthorne-based space rocket developer SpaceX, is a celebrity in the technology industry. So whatever he does, people pay attention.
Just look at all the attention his divorce has gotten.
Here's the latest on Tesla:
(Automobilemag.com) Back in July, Tesla and Toyota announced that the electric vehicle they'd announced they were co-developing two months prior was a new version of the Toyota Rav4 EV. Today, Tesla has revealed more details about the nature of the project.
Read more on Tesla and Toyota.
Today, Mattel Inc. released its list of its 'hot toys' list for the Christmas shopping season.
Of course, the El Segundo-based toy maker included only its own toys on the list.
But just in case you care to take advice from the world's biggest toy company, here's the list:
HOT TOYS FOR TOTS:
- FISHER-PRICE LAUGH & LEARN™ LEARNING KITCHEN™ - Planning a holiday feast? Make it a learning experience for your tot. The Laugh & Learn™ Learning Kitchen is filled with interactive fun in both English and French. Little ones can open the refrigerator door to see the light come on, learn about opposites or hear a song. Age: 6 months - 3 years Suggested retail price: $49.99 CDN
- FISHER-PRICE: DANCE STAR MICKEY - Kids can put on a show with Dance Star Mickey Mouse this holiday as he comes to life right before your eyes! Now Mickey walks, talks, and dances. With multiple songs, interactive activities and silly humour, Mickey is sure to knock your socks off! Age: 18 + months Suggested retail price: $89.99 CDN
- FISHER-PRICE: LIL' ZOOMERS™ SPINNIN' SOUNDS SPEEDWAY™ - Ready, set, spin! Babies will love the Lil' Zoomers Spinnin' Sounds Speedway™ zooming raceway sounds, music and fun flashing lights. Age: 6 - 36 months Suggested retail price: $49.99 CDN
- FISHER-PRICE: THE SING-A-MA-JIGS™ - Get ready to meet The Sing-a-ma-Jigs™, the new free-spirited, offbeat characters that set off unexpected laugher and excitement with every interaction! The Sing-a-ma-Jigs™ enjoy nothing more than singing together, and just to prove it, they harmonize with each other in perfect pitch every time. The more you collect, the larger the chorus. Every Sing-a-ma-Jig has three modes of play where they chatter, sing their own song, or sing in harmony with their other Sing-a-ma-jig friends! Age: 3 + Suggested retail price: $14.99 CDN
- THOMAS & FRIENDS™ FOLLOW ME THOMAS - Follow Me Thomas includes a preschool sized Thomas engine and a light up lantern. The child can point and move the light from the lantern and Thomas will follow a long. As Thomas moves he will say interactive phrases and sound effects. When you press any of the 3 buttons on the lantern, Thomas will do one of three programmed moves including, figure 8, circles, and zig zags. Now you can have your friend Thomas with you wherever you go! Age: 6 + Suggested retail price: $59.99 CDN
HOT TOYS FOR BOYS:
- HOT WHEELS® CRISS CROSS CRASH™ TRACK SET - Get ready, set, crash! With four intersecting crash zones, Hot Wheels® Criss Cross Crash™ allows kids to line up their Hot Wheels® cars and let them rip for near-misses or total wipeouts. With more than 16 feet of track that includes hairpin turns, motorized boosters, and a giant crash zone, kids can enjoy crash-and-bash fun all holiday long. Age: 5 + Suggested retail price: $49.99 CDN
- MATCHBOX® STINKY™ THE GARBAGE TRUCK - Stinky™ is his name, gobbling garbage is his game! The newest addition to the Big Rig Buddies™ assortment is every boy's best friend - a real working garbage truck. This interactive buddy talks, tells jokes, eats, exercises and sings. Age: 3 + Suggested retail price: $69.99 CDN
- HOT WHEELS® RC STEALTH RIDES™ POWER TREAD™ ASSORTMENT - Good things come in small packages this holiday. The Hot Wheels® RC Stealth Rides™ Power Tread™ Assortment are mini but mighty cars that are small enough to fit in a pocket and can fold flat to fit in a slim carrying case that doubles as a controller. Made for gripping and climbing over obstacles, these Stealth Rides™ vehicles are guaranteed to entertain. Age: 8 + Suggested retail price: $32.99 CDN
- HOT WHEELS® RC STEALTH RIDES™ RACING CAR ASSORTMENT - These portable Stealth Rides™ Racing Cars will amaze! Built for high-speed turns and spinning, these Stealth Rides™ vehicles are the biggest little things in the world of remote control toys. Age: 8 + Suggested retail price: $32.99 CDN
- TOY STORY 3 ACTION LINKS™ JUNKYARD ESCAPE STUNT SET - Toy Story toys are back and just in time for the holidays. Kids can re-create a thrilling scene from the Disney/Pixar film, Toy Story 3, with the ultimate Toy Story 3 Action Links™ Junkyard Escape Stunt Set. There's loads of action and adventure and great stunts like the conveyer belt and the claw. Age: 5 + Suggested retail price: $49.99 CDN
- CARS TOON MONSTER TRUCK WRASTLIN' RING - Boys can defeat the monsters all year long with the Cars Toon Monster Truck Wrastlin' Ring. The final showdown in the Cars Toon, "Monster Truck Mater," can be relived again and again with this wrestling ring that features a spinning floor, a "claw" for scooping up your opponents, and a lever for great flipping action. Age: 4 + Suggested retail price: $39.99
HOT TOYS FOR GIRLS:
- BARBIE® VIDEO GIRL™ DOLL - Lights! Barbie®! Action! Girls can capture their own holiday memories this season with Barbie® Video Girl ™. She's not just a doll, she's a video camera too! A camera lens is hidden in her necklace and a colour LCD video screen on her back lets girls record and view movies instantly. It's moviemaking from Barbie® doll's point of view - literally! Windows/Mac compatible. Free Video Girl™ editing software available at Barbie.com allows girls to add music and graphics. Age: 6 + Suggested retail price: $69.99 CDN
- BARBIE™ A FASHION FAIRYTALE BARBIE® DOLL - Join Barbie® and her friends in her latest DVD movie Barbie™ A Fashion Fairytale. Barbie® stars as herself in her famous fashion show outfit that transforms from a princess gown to a party couture dress. With the press of a button, Barbie™ A Fashion Fairytale Barbie® doll's bodice magically lights up and is synchronized to music from the movie's fashion show finale. Age: 3 + Suggested retail price: $29.99 CDN
- BARBIE™ A FASHION FAIRYTALE KEN® DOLL - Barbie™ A Fashion Fairytale Ken® is dressed to impress, with a stylish grey satin suit, sparkling pink tie, designer shoes and stylish hairdo! Age: 3 + Suggested retail price: $15.99 CDN
- BARBIE™ A FASHION FAIRYTALE GLITTERIZER™ WARDROBE AND BARBIE® DOLL PLAY SET - Barbie™ A Fashion Fairytale Glitterizer™ Wardrobe and Barbie® Doll Play Set is the perfect gift for every girl who wants to sparkle this holiday. With three easy steps, girls can use the motorized Glitterizer™ wardrobe and over 100 stickers to customize doll outfits, accessories or glitterize personal items. Age: 3 + Suggested retail price: $59.99 CDN
- BARBIE™ A FASHION FAIRYTALE HORSE & CARRIAGE - Barbie™ a Fashion Fairytale Horse & Carriage is for the girl who likes to ride in style. Girls can play out scenes from the DVD movie, Barbie™ A Fashion Fairytale with this modern horse and carriage that is so 21st century. With loads of luxurious details inside, this modern carriage also has a convertible top that folds down for the ultimate romantic ride. Age: 3 + Suggested retail price: $47.99 CDN
- DISNEY TANGLED RAPUNZEL BRAIDING FRIENDS™ HAIR BRAIDER - The Rapunzel Braiding Friends™ Hair Braider is a great gift for any Disney fan. Girls can braid Rapunzel's hair with the help of her little animal friends. Just place a section of hair onto each animal friend and turn the handle. Rapunzel doll and friends can also be removed from the braider and taken on the go. Includes Rapunzel doll, animal friends and braiding wheel. Age: 3 + Suggested retail price: $42.99 CDN
- MONSTER HIGH™ DOLL ASSORTMENT - Draculaura™, Clawdeen Wolf™, Frankie Stein™ and Lagoona Blue™ are the coolest ghouls in school with their trendy fashions, accessories and scary cute pets. And they have some very famous scary cool parents as well. Dolls are fully articulated so they can be posed in many different ways! Includes one doll, pet, accessory, diary, brush, and doll stand. Age: 6 + Suggested retail price: $21.99 CDN
- POLLY POCKET™ POP 'N LOCK™ STAGE - Polly™ is the ultimate rock star, ready to go on tour with the Pop 'N Lock™ Stage. Press play on the tour bus to transform it into the Polly™ rockin' party pad and load a Pop 'n Lock™ fashion and doll into the dressing room to instantly change Polly's fashion and make her magically appear on stage ready to rock out. At the end of the performance, close the play set back up for portable play on the go! Age: 4 + Suggested retail price: $43.99 CDN
HOT TOYS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY:
- RED ROVER™ Game - Preschoolers will have a great time looking for Rover's bone in the Red Rover™ Game. The game starts when preschoolers press the Red Rover™ nose and he calls out which bones he wants. Preschoolers run to find the right bone and feed it to Rover. Whoever helps Rover the fastest wins! Age: 3 + Suggested retail price: $29.99 CDN
- LOOPZ™ Game - Keep the kids moving during the holidays with GetLoopz™, a skill and action memory game. This interactive game consists of 4 semi-circular rings that flash with ever-quickening patterns of light and music which players must mimic by waving their hands through the corresponding loops. The longer you play, the faster it gets! Age: 5 + Suggested retail price $39.99 CDN
DirecTV CEO Mike White looked a bit lost Sunday on "Undercover Boss" on CBS.
I wonder how much of that was staged and how much was real.
And is it possible that his employees really didn't recognize him?
Here's a clip from the show
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Technology, technology, everywhere we turn. We are addicted to it. How does it affect us?
I dedicated this week's Business Casual to that question.
Here's part of the column:
While sitting in the back of a room with nearly 200 people, I couldn't help but notice the activities of two attendees in front of me.On the right side was a guy trying to pass the time by using his index finger to twirl a pen on his thumb.
Now that's old school.
Read Business Casual.
Toyota's sudden-acceleration problems will likely cause the company legal headaches for years and years and years to come.
(Consumer Affairs) Like a stalled car on a freeway, Toyota is being slammed from all sides in the controversy over unintended acceleration claims. The latest to pile on is Allstate Insurance Co., which has filed suit in Los Angeles Superior Court seeking to recover more than $3 million that the insurer says it paid in claims for accidents linked to sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles.
Read more on Toyota's latest legal battle.
Michael Hiltzik of the LA Times may technically be my competition. But he wrote one heck of a column.
Here's how it starts:
As I beheld the sight of Robert Rizzo and his fellow Bell municipal bosses being frog-marched into court the other day on charges of having overpaid themselves outrageously at the expense of their suffering constituents, the following thought came to me:Why not Ray Irani?
Read the whole column.
