I agree, I don't like the name change. I seems akward and hard to say, plus many girls know them as American Girl of Today.
I wonder what's next?
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Were you alluding to something specific? I'd like to know what you think might be ahead. [img]smile.gif[/img]Originally posted by AGfun:
Most of them are named after friends or teachers that mean a lot to her...so in her case, the new name doesn't fit at all. I do wonder why they changed it...maybe new things are on the horizon.... [img]wink.gif[/img]
Shelly
I don't like the Just Like You name either, and I think it might actually be counterproductive for AG. I think it encourages children and parents to pick out one doll that looks like them or their child, rather than getting separate dolls with all the hair/eye combos they like.
I agree, I don't like the name change. I seems akward and hard to say, plus many girls know them as American Girl of Today.
I wonder what's next?
I don't like the name "Just Like You" for reasons already stated.
In addition, the name "American Girl of Today" alludes to the fact that this series of dolls belong to the same family as the historical American Girls - only their time period is "today"! When AGoT's first came out, I honestly thought it was because they were trying to tie in modern-day girls to the flow of history; that a contemporary girl (in this case, represented by a doll) will one day be a part of history just like all of the historical characters/dolls. And I, at the age of 11, thought that concept was so cool. 'cause I want to be a part of history. Why don't they try to push that idea for a change? Instead of doing what other companies are already doing: simply making a doll that's *just* like you. How boring. [img]wink.gif[/img]
On a side note, the idea that my doll would become a part of history has already come true. Since I collected the AGT's original line of clothes from the mid-90's, my Arabella has already become somewhat of a historical "1990's" doll in her biking shorts and baggy t-shirt and rollerblades! Luckily I've updated her wardrobe slightly since then. [img]wink.gif[/img]
<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ December 29, 2005 12:42 PM: Message edited by: * amanda ]</font>
I dislike it as well, and I agree that it is counterproductive for AG.
With AGT, it encourages girls to be creative- to think up new characters and their stories. The possibilities are endless, and (from a marketing standpoint) so are the doll purchases!
"Just Like You" implies to me to get a doll that looks sort of like my kid/me. One doll, little creativity. She'd be just like me, not a new character that I create. YAWN.
None of them look much like me anyway. I think for a doll to really resemble you, unless you're just lucky, you need a company like My Twinn where you can choose from a lot of options to build a doll. I especially feel sorry for the minority groups, because there aren't many of the AG dolls that look like my Asian, Hispanic, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, etc. friends. There aren't a whole lot of options for the African-American community either.
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I have been a longtime AG collector (16 years). They have only been called American Girl of Today, then American Girl Today, prior to this. My 1995 blank book series is called American Girl, not Just Like You.If I recall correctly, they were initially called the "Just Like me" doll line. - Ash
I don?t like the name change. Back when the dolls were new, I strove to purchase ones that were different from me and also different from any of the historical AGs. Back when I got my first one, they came with six blank books. I researched Chinese culture, traditions, and a holiday in order to create my doll?s world.
To me, this change means:
1) A loss in educational value as girls are encouraged to choose a doll that looks the same.
2) A trend toward more dolls and more doll styles, and trying to copy My Twinn. I feel that My Twinns are superior in their choice of face mold and hairstyle choices and the way they match girls, and it seems odd to have American Girl seem like the copycat, when usually they are the trendsetters.
3) A loss in imagination value, if the dolls are meant to be ?twins? to the girls purchasing them. The dolls will have the same hobbies and interests as the girls.
While we as members here understand you can purchase any doll there and it doesn?t have to look like you, the name tells their base fans: ?Pick on that looks like you.? I liked the old name better because while girls could certainly get a ?twin,? they were not encouraged to do so. This name just screams: Get a twin!
<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ December 28, 2005 11:36 PM: Message edited by: Melissa ]</font>
Oh! Since all I posted above was not in favor of the name change, I wanted to post one positive thought! [img]smile.gif[/img] In one way I think it's nice, since it draws a more distinct line between the present-day dolls and the historical ones. Sometimes when we're talking about our American Girl dolls here I wonder which ones are being posted about, because to me the American Girl dolls are the historical dolls (since those are the ones I grew up with). So from now on if anyone mentions an AG or JLY doll, I'll know exactly what dolls we're referring to! [img]biggrin.gif[/img] In a way it's kind of nice for the two lines to have distinct names, especially since they are so dissimilar now. It will take some getting used to to call them by different names, but in the end maybe it will help in this regard! [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]
I don't like the idea for two distinctly different sets of reasons, the first of which is stated quite eloqently by Melissa in her first comment above.
The second reason is that the dolls are NOT "just like you" as they only have a limited set of sculpts and the buyer does not get to pick this sculpt with that hairstyle in X color and Y colored eyes, with these birthmarks. If they are going to copy MyTwinn, they are going to have to offer a whole lot more customization than they are now. I might be interested in buying a doll to a specific set of features, but it certainly will not look like me...
Taffy
<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ December 28, 2005 11:48 PM: Message edited by: Taffy Cheerful ]</font>
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Eeek! I just found these other verifications of it being official . . .Originally posted by Ionuin:
I know it's been mentioned here before, but as it's official on the site now . . .
1) It's official in the new catalog with Jess on the cover.
2) The trademark was filed in a few categories (including retail, catalogs, clothes for girls, dolls, and doll clothes). This seems to indicate a pretty definite change, with the AGT clothing and accessories also being marketed under this name.
The trademarks were filed last spring . . . so the name change has been in the works for quite a while.
<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ December 28, 2005 11:57 PM: Message edited by: Melissa ]</font>
I really don't care about the name, if they changed the quality or made a drastic face and body change I would. But it is just a name, some people want a doll that looks like them, some want their dream image, and some just like the idea of having a doll that looks pretty in their eyes.
That is my opinion.
<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ December 29, 2005 12:00 AM: Message edited by: sailorangel59 ]</font>
I'm not a fan. Like Amanda, I liked the idea that the Today girls were the end of the timeline that the Historicals embody, that I am a part of the history of American girls. I also agree with Melissa's original set of reasons. Sigh...
- Becca
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