{"id":406919,"date":"2020-12-31T10:03:29","date_gmt":"2020-12-31T15:03:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/?p=406919"},"modified":"2020-12-31T10:03:29","modified_gmt":"2020-12-31T15:03:29","slug":"say-gday-to-american-girls-2021-girl-of-the-year-kira-bailey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/say-gday-to-american-girls-2021-girl-of-the-year-kira-bailey\/","title":{"rendered":"Say G\u2019day to American Girl\u2019s 2021 Girl of the Year\u2014Kira Bailey!"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Say G\u2019day to American Girl\u2019s 2021 Girl of the Year\u2014Kira Bailey!<\/b><\/p>\n

New Character Takes Fans Down Under to Explore Wildlife Protection and Climate Change<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Brand Raises Awareness and Funds for WIRES\u2014Australia\u2019s Largest Wildlife Rescue Organization<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

MIDDLETON, Wis.–(BUSINESS WIRE<\/a>)–American Girl<\/a>, the beloved brand known for helping girls grow up with confidence and character, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mattel (NASDAQ: MAT), today unveiled its 2021 Girl of the Year, Kira Bailey. Kira\u2122<\/sup>\u2014a nurturing and inquisitive 10-year-old who cares deeply for animals and the environment\u2014joins American Girl\u2019s line of contemporary characters that inspires children to make a positive difference in the world. Whether she\u2019s caring for an orphaned koala joey or facing a bushfire that\u2019s threatening her great-aunts\u2019 wildlife sanctuary in Australia, Kira confronts critical ecological issues, such as wildlife protection and the threat of climate change, that are more relevant to our planet than ever.\n<\/p>\n

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20201231005023\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n

\"American<\/p>\n

American Girl’s 2021 Girl of the Year, Kira Bailey, whose Australia-set storyline focuses on wildlife protection and climate challenges. (Photo: Business Wire)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n\u201cAs American Girl kicks off its 35th year, Kira joins our lineup of diverse and purposeful characters who star in stories that reflect the realities of the times\u2014whether it\u2019s historical or modern-day,\u201d says Jamie Cygielman, General Manager of American Girl. \u201cAs we all witnessed the bushfires rage in Australia last year and start up again this September, and the devastating wildfires in the western United States, we knew it was important to focus Kira\u2019s story on the major conservation and climate challenges facing our planet today\u2014causes that are extremely important to today\u2019s youth. Through Kira, we hope our fans will learn that we all have a part to play in taking positive action for our planet.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\nTo further support Kira\u2019s message, American Girl is partnering with NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service, Inc. (WIRES), Australia\u2019s largest wildlife rescue organization dedicated to rescuing and caring for sick, injured, and orphaned animals, including those impacted by bushfires and drought. Today through December 30, 2021, American Girl is supporting the organization\u2019s mission to rehabilitate and preserve Australian wildlife by matching customer donations dollar for dollar up to a maximum of $25,000. To learn more about how American Girl is helping WIRES, visit www.americangirl.com\/kira<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

\n\u201cLast year, Australia\u2019s fire season was unlike anything previously experienced in terms of scale and severity, with fires destroying millions of hectares of land\u2014much of which was threatened-species habitat,\u201d says Kyla Shelley, Chief Operating Officer for WIRES. \u201cWild species worldwide are facing enormous challenges\u2014including extinction\u2014mainly due to habitat loss, natural disasters, and climate change. Just like Kira discovers, everyone can get involved in wildlife rescue and protection, and it\u2019s not too late to make a difference wherever you live.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\nTo create Kira, American Girl worked hand in hand with author Erin Teagan, who holds a master\u2019s degree in science and traveled to Australia to gain a deeper understanding of Kira\u2019s experiences. Other consultants specializing in Australian wildlife and culture reviewed all aspects of Kira\u2019s world\u2014from manuscripts to products\u2014to help ensure every detail was rooted in real practices and science, with the following two experts playing an integral role:\n<\/p>\n