Hasbro will change the brand of its classic toy line Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head simply as “Potato Head”, better adapting and reflecting today’s modern families and gender identities.
The toy brand announced on Thursday that although it will drop “Mr.” of the toy brand and logo, Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head will still remain on the line. With an unspecified brand for their Create Your Potato Head family, consumers can build potato families with same-sex parents or single parents and express their own ideas about gender roles and norms. Each kit will feature two large potato bodies, a small potato body and 42 accessories.
“The possibilities for creating your own families are endless with mixing and kneading all parts and pieces,” said Hasbro.
The toy, launched by Hasbro in 1952, will feature its new gender neutral name later this fall. Rebranding the popular toy franchise, which was featured in several Toys Story films, come as other popular toy names, including American Girl Doll and Barbie, adjust their products to better represent different races, gender identities and sexual orientations.
While many Twitter users expressed their outrage or support for the newly announced gender neutral name, Hasbro reassured those alarmed by the brand change that the original spouses are not going anywhere.
“I am proud to confirm that the MR. & WL. POTATO HEAD is not going anywhere and will remain MR. & WL. POTATO HEAD ”, shared the toy giant’s official Twitter account on Thursday.
Hold that Tot – your main spud, MR. HEAD POTATO is not going anywhere! Although it was announced today that the POTATO HEAD brand and logo are no longer ‘MR.’ I am proud to confirm that MR. & WL. POTATO HEAD is not going anywhere and will remain MR. & WL. POTATO HEAD pic.twitter.com/6I84KrxOLQ
– Hasbro (@Hasbro) February 25, 2021