How did Disney come up with the Minnie "N' Me line in the 90's?

[DodgerGirl]

In 1990 Minnie Mouse was given a 90's update to attract girls with the debut of the Minnie "N" Me line and I am curious how this line got started? Because the Minnie "N" Me line was seen on books TV series toys music albums and more and I always thought Disney was trying to appeal to the older girls by giving Minnie a whole 90's image because this line was very popular along with the Disney Princess line during the 1990's

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

If I had to guess I'd say it was inspired by "My Bubby" from the 80's.

 

[DodgerGirl]

Disney had always wanted to experiment with ways to market Minnie Mouse and so with the debut of the Minnie "N" Me line in 1990 this gave Disney a way to market Minnie Mouse to older girls while still attracting the young girls. And so with books toys and even a music album featuring the debut of young former Disney star Christa Larson Disney knew how to attract girls really well. And not only was this line focusing on Minnie Mouse they added Clarabelle Cow and Daisy Duck as Minnie's best friends but once the Disney Princess line was created the Minnie "N" Me line was forgotten about