. And being direct has served me really well because people know what theyre getting. And Im very transparent. Im also pretty consistent and that helps build your r

The bodacious bod (her original dimensions would be impossible for a human woman), the handsome?boyfriend?and dont get us started on that dream house.?Barbie, as we knew her, was pretty much nauseatingly perfect. Thing is, she was always sort of a one-note kind of lady -- you know ... blonde hair, blue eyes and a triple zero waist. Luckily, the executives at Mattel, which creates the lifestyle toy, got the memo that girls (and their moms) needed a more realistic doll.In comes Sejah Shah Miller, vice president of global marketing for the iconic brand. For the past three years Shah Miller has been tasked with the multilayered duty of figuring out what was missing from the brand. Her answer was simple: diversity. The dynamo talks to espnW about her journey to the top of the toy industry, reimagining the original Queen B and more.espnW: You spent a good portion of your career working with luxe beauty brands, such as LOréal. What attracted to you to Mattel? Sejal Shah Miller: When Mattel reached out to me for the role I was intrigued. I hadnt thought about toys. But when I did, my research proved that sales were declining. Wed lost brand equity with moms. Girls were saying Barbie wasnt as cool as it used to be. Being a woman of color, and having had played with Barbie dolls, turning the brand around was an interesting challenge for me. Take a look at the things the brand has done in the last three years: Its shifted the idea of Barbie. Its exciting to be part of the evolution of the brand, and the team was acutely aware of the problems ahead of us.espnW: Please discuss your duties at Mattel.SSM: Im responsible for brand marketing, which entails driving the strategies behind content, advertising, digital social channels, partnerships and consumer products. Additionally, I handle product development and the commercial marketing of our business.?espnW: Whats your advice to women working their way up the corporate ladder? SSM:?Being true to your authentic self is important. You will exude confidence and thats half of the battle. It sounds cliché, but its true.espnW: Provide an example of how being your authentic self has paid off for you.SSM: Im not shy. Im always quick to give my opinion. I obviously back up my thoughts with data, but Im direct. And being direct has served me really well because people know what theyre getting. And Im very transparent. Im also pretty consistent and that helps build your reputation. My other big tip is to learn how to take a seat at the table. Act as if you own a seat at the table, because you are one of the key decision-makers.espnW: How do you cultivate relationships with colleagues and other?professional acquaintances? SSM: First, you have to perform well at your job, so youre respected. Second, I dont really subscribe to the idea that you have to wait for someone to select you [to build a professional rapport with them]. Ive always been pretty forthcoming about reaching out to people and setting up an informational or coffee meeting, and then the conversation evolves. ?As a woman of color I tend to seek out a variety of people who I can go to for advice and mentorship, both in and outside of my company. I still keep in touch with previous bosses because I think diverse views help you navigate whatever you think you may be dealing with in your own organization. If you only go to women, men or people of a certain background, then youre limiting yourself.espnW: Tell us about how all of your training came together, which has now helped you transform the Barbie brand. SSM: Our goal was to change the way the world talked about Barbie. This brand has been around for years, and its continued to reinvent itself. It always pushed forward this idea that, with Barbie, a girl could imagine everything she could become. One of our first moves was to make sure the brand reflected what girls saw in everyday life, so we launched Barbie Fashionista. That line has 24 dolls with different skin tones, eye/hair colors and hair textures. We really thought it was important to reflect what girls see today and introduce more diversity. Next, we launched our award-winning imagine the possibility campaign tied to our you can be anything messaging. Last, in March, we introduced new body types -- curvy, tall and petite, to match our original body types. We listened to our consumers, and sales have confirmed that they are voting with their wallets.espnW: Barbie is curvier, multicultural and has had a multitude of career paths. Whats next? SSM: We have our heroes program, which gives us an opportunity to recognize real people who are breaking boundaries with items that are a limited edition commemoration of these women. We launched a Misty Copeland doll earlier this year, and it was in such high demand that we had to do another production. And in spring of 2017 were adding the Gabby Douglas doll to the line, in honor of her achievements as an Olympian. We want to highlight women that align with our purpose, and inspire youngsters to strive for limitless potential. The brand is continuing to listen and make sure that its reflecting the world and trends. We are going to continue to evolve.S. Tia Brown is a pop culture journalist, licensed therapist and an avid believer in the power of Spanx. Follow her @tiabrowntalk Michy Batshuayi Belgium Jersey . The incident occurred at 19:56 of the second period of the Kings 4-2 road win over Edmonton on Sunday. Nolan punched Oilers forward Jesse Joensuu in the jaw in front of the Kings goal during a scrum. Nacer Chadli Belgium Jersey . With the first unit struggling of late and Amir Johnson - one of the teams iron men - hobbling on an injured right ankle, Patterson knew he could get the nod in a challenging matchup against one of the leagues up and coming players at his position. http://www.belgiumsoccerpro.com/Kevin-De-Bruyne-Belgium-Jersey/ . The 29-year-old Baines has established himself as one of the top attacking full backs in the country and was the subject of two bids from United during the last off-season. Everton manager Roberto Martinez says that keeping Baines at the club is a "massive boost and exciting for the future" because he brings "maturity and football knowledge in a very specialized position on the pitch" and an "infectious and positive influence to the rest of the squad. Youri Tielemans Belgium Jersey . It was Kerbers third final of the year after losing to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia in Monterrey in April and to Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic in Tokyo two weeks ago. The 10th-ranked German improved her record in finals to 3-5. Eden Hazard Jersey .S. hockey team after paying his dues as an NHL general manager for more than three decades and giving up a lot of his free time to help USA Hockey. PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Running back Reggie Bush wasnt going to let a freak accident on the concrete surface ringing the Edward Jones Dome field in St. Louis end his career.Declaring his surgically repaired left knee 100 percent, Bush eagerly looked forward to the opportunity of playing an 11th NFL season -- and on his fifth team -- after signing a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills on Monday.Im in shape. Im full strength. Im ready to go, Bush said during a news conference at the Bills training camp facility in suburban Rochester. It feels good to be back on a team and back to playing football.The 31-year-old Bush has reason to be upbeat some nine months since tearing his meniscus ligament in St. Louis. It happened while he was pushed out of bounds while returning a punt and lost his footing on the concrete before sliding into the padded wall of the stands.I thought my career could be over. Those were my initial thoughts, he said.Instead, Bush joins a Rex Ryan-coached, run-first-oriented offense that led the league in rushing last season, and a team with a hole to fill in its return game.Bush expects to take part in practice Tuesday, and estimates itll take him no more than a week to become accustomed to his new surroundings, teammates, coaches and playbook.I guess the good thing is Ive been around long enough where Ive pretty much been through every offensive system possible, he said.Bush traveled to Buffalo to take a physical in the morning and then met with Bills officials at training camp before signing his contract.We are always looking to improve our roster, general manager Doug Whaley said. We had targeted Reggie because we feel a player of his caliber can help us in a variety of areas.The question is how much Bush has left in him after injuries hampered much of his career since being selected with the No. 2 pick in the 2006 draft. Bush has played 16 games in a season just twice and been limited to playing 29 games over the past three years.The competitor in me says forever, but realistically, I dont know, Bush said, when asked how much longer he thinks he can play. Im just happy to be back to football. And after this season, and granted that Im able to stay healthy, Ill make a decision after thaat.dddddddddddd.When healthy, Bush is a dynamic threat as a rusher, receiver and returner. Hes topped 1,000 yards rushing twice, most recently in 2013, when he had 1,006 yards in 14 games with Detroit.When adding in his production as a receiver, Bush has surpassed 1,000 yards from scrimmage five times in a career that began with New Orleans and included a two-year stint in Miami.Bushs versatility fits several Bills needs, including special teams.Buffalo lacked a return specialist last season and failed to address the need this offseason.Hey, lets be honest, thats somewhere we want to be better at, Ryan said, assessing Buffalos return game after practice Monday. That certainly wasnt our strength last year.Bush has been used mostly as a punt returner. His best season came in 2008 with New Orleans, when he returned 20 punts for 270 yards and scored three of his four career touchdowns.He can also provide experienced depth behind LeSean McCoy.Backup Karlos Williams will miss the first four games of the season after the NFL suspended him for violating the leagues substance-abuse policy.The remainder of Buffalos backfield is made up of mostly unproven players, including Mike Gillislee, Daniel Herron and James Wilder Jr., the son of former Buccaneers fullback James Wilder.Theres also rookie fifth-round pick Jonathan Williams, who faces potential discipline after being arrested in Arkansas two weeks ago on a misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated.Bush said hes had no previous relationship with McCoy, but is eager to build one.Im a fan, Bush said. I think its going to be pretty cool to have both of us back there making some plays.The Bills also signed free-agent receiver Kain Colter, who has yet to play an NFL game since completing his college career in Northwestern in 2013. In four college seasons playing quarterback, Colter combined to score 50 touchdowns, with 18 of them passing, four receiving and 28 rushing.To make room on their roster, the Bills released receiver Davonte Allen and kicker Marshall Morgan.---AP NFL websites: http://pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '