The sad fact of the matter when it comes to marketing "strong female characters" is that they are either a) in a "boy's show" and therefore considered moot when it comes to putting out merchandise or b) marketed incorrectly.
Take for example the merchandise for Kim Possible, a show that is about a kick-ass female who saves the world on a daily basis while the co-star (the "lead male" if you will) is nothing more than comic relief and often is the "damsel in distress" that Kim must save. So you'd think, there would be lots of "Kick Ass" merchandise for Kim right?
Nope. Not in the least bit. Take a look at the basic line that is closest to being considered "action figures" at their 4-inch size: 1) Shopping Friends Set includes: KIM & MONIQUE 4" FIGURES 2 Club Banana Outfits, 2 Club Banana Shopping Bags, 2 Pairs of Sunglasses, 2 Credit Cards, 1 Club Banana Purse, Cell Phone, Hair Brush
2) Fast Food Friends Set includes: KIM & RON 4" FIGURES 2 Bueno Nacho Uniforms, 2 Bueno Nacho Drinks, 2 Tacos, Plate of Nachos, Bueno Nacho Menu, Food Tray, Hair Brush
(A note, these outfits appear in ONE episode of the series ONLY. Very early first-season at that)
3) First Date set includes: KIM & JOSH 4" FIGURES Hair Brush, Purse, flowers, popcorn, 2 Movie Tickets, 2 Drinks, Tray
4) Kim & Bonnie Set includes 2 outfits, brush, shoes
5) MIDDLETON MUSEUM CAPER Set includes: Kim & Ron Necklace, Secret Jewel Decoder, Egyptian Staff, 2 bracelet cuff jewels, Head Jewels, Hair Brush
This is the ONLY set that comes with Kim's "mission" clothes and yet they still manage to put jewelry in it via the museum artifacts.
Part of the appeal of the show is that Kim is a strong, kick-ass female who just happens to be a normal high-school cheerleader. The marketing focuses on the "girly" aspects and basically ignores the main concept- that girls can kick ass too. Just proof that it isn't only the marketers for "boy's shows" that have "girls that kick ass" marketing problems.
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Take for example the merchandise for Kim Possible, a show that is about a kick-ass female who saves the world on a daily basis while the co-star (the "lead male" if you will) is nothing more than comic relief and often is the "damsel in distress" that Kim must save. So you'd think, there would be lots of "Kick Ass" merchandise for Kim right?
Nope. Not in the least bit. Take a look at the basic line that is closest to being considered "action figures" at their 4-inch size:
1) Shopping Friends Set
includes: KIM & MONIQUE 4" FIGURES
2 Club Banana Outfits, 2 Club Banana Shopping Bags, 2 Pairs of Sunglasses, 2 Credit Cards, 1 Club Banana Purse, Cell Phone, Hair Brush
2) Fast Food Friends Set
includes: KIM & RON 4" FIGURES
2 Bueno Nacho Uniforms, 2 Bueno Nacho Drinks, 2 Tacos, Plate of Nachos, Bueno Nacho Menu, Food Tray, Hair Brush
(A note, these outfits appear in ONE episode of the series ONLY. Very early first-season at that)
3) First Date set
includes: KIM & JOSH 4" FIGURES
Hair Brush, Purse, flowers, popcorn, 2 Movie Tickets, 2 Drinks, Tray
4) Kim & Bonnie Set
includes 2 outfits, brush, shoes
5) MIDDLETON MUSEUM CAPER Set
includes: Kim & Ron
Necklace, Secret Jewel Decoder, Egyptian Staff, 2 bracelet cuff jewels, Head Jewels, Hair Brush
This is the ONLY set that comes with Kim's "mission" clothes and yet they still manage to put jewelry in it via the museum artifacts.
Part of the appeal of the show is that Kim is a strong, kick-ass female who just happens to be a normal high-school cheerleader. The marketing focuses on the "girly" aspects and basically ignores the main concept- that girls can kick ass too. Just proof that it isn't only the marketers for "boy's shows" that have "girls that kick ass" marketing problems.