Gummibär Embraces New European Licensing Agent

Brandora News - September 2008

 
Popular Music And Ringtones Character Owner Appoints The Agency Behind Crazy Frog

Gummybear International Inc and Yazoo Music GbR have appointed AT Merchandise, a division of AT New Media Ltd, as its European licensing agency for the character which has become hugely popular worldwide through music, ringtones and the internet.

Gummibär reached number 3 on the worldwide viral charts, with over 60 million hits and 30 million video plays on YouTube, MySpace and other video websites. His single and album have been released in over 50 countries through major record labels. The music and ringtones have achieved high chart positions so far in Hungary, Germany, France, Russia, Sweden, Taiwan and Australia.

His catchy debut song includes the infectious lyrics: “Oh I'm a gummy bear/ Yes I'm a gummy bear/ Oh I'm a yummy jummy funny lucky gummy bear/ Oh I'm a jolly bear cause I'm a gummy bear/ Oh I'm a movin groovin jammin singin gummy bear.”

Gummibär’s name and music are translated for different languages and countries, so he is also known by names including Gummy Bear, Funny Bear, GummyBjoern, Osito Gominola, Gummimeda, Ursinho Gummy and Gumimaci. Due to the well-known confectionery brand, the trade mark registrations use the name Gummibär, which will be used by licensees in English-speaking countries.

AT Merchandise, a division of AT New Media Ltd, is best known for its worldwide success with the licensing programme for The Annoying Thing also known as Crazy Frog in 2005 & 2006. Comparisons are inevitable, but Gummibär benefits from a thorough long-term strategy, with TV animation already targeted, and with the market for ringtones completely different in 2008 compared with 2005.

Gummybear International has appointed AT New Media as its licensing agent for all the countries of the European Union except Spain and company representatives will be available to meet potential licensees at Brand Licensing Europe on October 1 and 2 2008.

“We are delighted to be appointed as the licensing agency for Gummibär,” says Paul Comben, CEO, AT New Media, “Which highlights our positioning at the junction where new media meets licensing and that we only offer properties to licensees and retailers which already have a large audience through viral marketing.”

“Gummibär is very popular with many millions of people worldwide and there is a lot of pent-up demand for merchandise,” says Jurgen Korduletsch of Gummybear International Inc, “So we look forward to working with AT Merchandise to welcome licensees and retailers to help us to create great product ranges.”

Further information and videos are available to view at www.gummibar.net.