A Gender-Neutral Easy-Bake Oven is Coming Soon

Hey Hasbro, boys cook, too

Hasbro plans to unveil an Easy-Bake Oven that appeals to both boys and girls in February. The move comes in response to an online petition created by New Jersey's 13-year-old McKenna Pope who went to buy her 4-year-old brother Gavyn Boscio an Oven after she noticed his interest in cooking, but was bothered when the box solely featured girls. Pope asked that Hasbro make an Oven in colors other than the "gender-role specific" pink and purple and to feature boys on the packaging and in its marketing materials. The petition garnered 44,000-plus signatures, including celebrity chefs. The new design will be black and silver. When asked whether Hasbro would feature boys in the marketing for the toy, Vice President of Global Brands and Publicity, Julie Duffy, said that all of the 2013 marketing plans for all its brands are still in development. (Today)

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