Barbie(TM) and International Teen Recording Artist Skye Sweetnam Unlock High School Secrets in ``The Barbie(TM) Diaries'' DVD; Original Music Rocks with Eight Pop Singles

In this month's direct-to-DVD release of "The Barbie(TM)Diaries," Barbie(TM) teams up with Capitol Records recording artistSkye Sweetnam to bring the voice of high schoolers to life with hip,contemporary music in the Barbie(R) brand's newest entertainmentrelease. Celebrating the first-time ever that Barbie(TM) is cast inthe real world as a high school student, "The Barbie(TM) Diaries"features eight original songs, including four sung by Sweetnam, arecent nominee for "New Artist of the Year" at the 2006 Canadian JunoAwards. Set to the cool music featuring Sweetnam's voice and fourother up-and-coming bands, Barbie(TM) portrays a high school studentwhose "real life" adventures include forming her own band Charmz andauditioning for a gig to play at the Fall Formal.

With seven popular Barbie(TM) Princess and Fairytopia(TM) filmsunder her hit-making belt, Barbie(TM) has become an entertainmentpowerhouse and a family favorite among home DVD collections,collectively selling more than 27 million units worldwide. Featuring anew, distinctive toon-shaded CGI animated look, "The Barbie(TM)Diaries" release is supported with a full line of themed dolls andelectronic toys.

"With the success of Barbie(R) Entertainment to-date, weanticipate 'The Barbie(TM) Diaries' to be a hit among girls who havegrown up with Barbie(TM) movies and love music," said Richard Dickson,senior vice president of marketing, media and entertainment. "We knewthe music had to be fresh and Skye's original sound and blend of rock,pop and electronica celebrates the spunk and spirit that Barbie(TM)reflects as a teenager."

The combination of contemporary music with the "diary" theme willhit close to the hearts and minds of young girls everywhere. A recentOmnibus survey found that:

-- 74 percent of girls have kept a diary at some point in their lives

-- The top five "for-my-eyes-only" topics included thoughts about friends, family, secrets, boys and creative musings (poems, stories, sketches), respectively

-- Brothers and sisters ranked highest (nearly 20 percent each) in breaching diary security by reading without permission

-- But overall, girls are rather trusting, as more than a third (37 percent) do not bother to hide their diaries

"Just like Barbie(TM), my diary was where I could write down allmy secrets, fears and dreams," said Skye. "Today, I'm fortunate to beable to share all my thoughts and feelings with girls across theworld, through my songwriting. It's so important for girls to have aplace where they're free to express themselves."

About Skye Sweetnam

For an artist only 18-years-old, Sweetnam's list ofaccomplishments is impressive -- she co-wrote all the songs (exceptfor one cover) on her debut album, "Noise from the Basement," releasedin September 2004 by EMI's Capitol Records in the U.S. and debuting atNo. 4 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart. She was later named one ofthe "10 Artists to Watch" by Rolling Stone. In 2004, Skye performed insold-out shows across North America and Europe as the opening act ofBritney Spears' Onyx Hotel Tour. Skye also sings the theme songs forboth The Disney Channel's hit show "Buzz on Maggie" and The N's "RadioFree Roscoe." More recently, Skye's single "Tangled Up in Me" wasfeatured on "NOW That's What I Call Music! -- Vol 18," and Sweetnamwas recently nominated for a Canadian 2006 Juno Award in the "NewArtist of the Year" category. She has appeared on "The Tonight Showwith Jay Leno," ABC Family Channel's #1 rated show, "Switched," and"CNN's "The Music Room." Her second, yet-to-be-titled album releasesin summer 2006.

About "The Barbie(TM) Diaries"

As the new school year begins, Barbie(TM) is hoping her sophomoreyear will bring some exciting changes. With a special diary and charmbracelet, Barbie(TM) finds the courage to try to be herself and learnsvaluable lessons about friendship, self-confidence and even romance.Girls will get a taste of pop stardom with two DVD bonus features,including Sweetnam's music video and a behind-the-scenes peek of oneof her recording sessions. This DVD premiere will be available fromLionsgate on May 9 for a suggested retail price of $19.98. A giftsetfeaturing the DVD and a special collectible diary will also beavailable for a suggested retail price of $24.98. Beginning in March2006, fans can also listen to "The Barbie(TM) Diaries" music online onRadio Barbie(TM), featuring Skye as the star host, or learn more abouther and "The Barbie(TM) Diaries" on Barbie.com.

About Lionsgate

Lionsgate is the premier independent producer and distributor ofmotion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, familyentertainment and video-on-demand content. Its prestigious andprolific library is a valuable source of stable, recurring revenue andis a foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. TheLionsgate brand name is synonymous with original, daring, qualityentertainment in markets around the globe.

About Mattel

Mattel, Inc., (NYSE:MAT) (www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leaderin the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products,including Barbie(R), the most popular fashion doll ever introduced.The Mattel family is comprised of such best-selling brands as HotWheels(R), Matchbox(R), American Girl(R) and Tyco(R) R/C, as well asFisher-Price brands (www.fisher-price.com), including LittlePeople(R), Rescue Heroes(R), Power Wheels(R) and a wide array ofentertainment-inspired toy lines. With worldwide headquarters in ElSegundo, Calif., Mattel employs more than 25,000 people in 42countries and sells products in more than 150 nations throughout theworld. The Mattel vision is to be the world's premier toy brands --today and tomorrow.

Barbie and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by, andused under license from, Mattel, Inc. (C) 2006 Mattel, Inc. All RightsReserved.