New Partners on Board for Growing Global Franchise

Leading family entertainment producer and distributor Chorion has secured a raft of new licensing deals for its Mr. Men and Little Miss brand across the United States and Latin America, highlighting the brand’s appeal with both children and adults.

In the US, toy manufacturer Flapjacks has been appointed to produce a range of luggage tags, flip journals and vinyl figures. In addition, a leader in the seasonal products industry, Paper Magic Group, an affiliate of CSS Industries, Inc, is poised to launch stickers, seasonal gift-wrap and Valentine’s themed products.

Ouchies, creators of adhesive bandages designed specifically for kids has produced Mr. Men and Little Miss bandages, available online and in stores across North America, with Giant Tree House introducing a range of gardening products including sidewalk chalk sets, garden sets, garden tools, window sill gardens, garden ornaments and picnic sets.

HYP Hats, is developing a line of hosiery, flip flops, socks and slippers, with Crocs launching an exclusive line of Mr. Men and Little Miss Jibbitz shoe charms for its distinctive shoe range.

In addition to its recent partnership with Scrollmotion to bring Mr. Men and Little Miss classic books to Apple Stores as downloadable digital books with animated interactive content, Chorion continues to expand into new markets with a range of customized gel skins for electronics from Gelaskins. The brand will also now benefit from themed cookies from Color-A-Cookie, available at popular retailers 7-11, Cost Plus and A & P Supermarkets.

In the latest Latin American deal signed by Chorion, United Labels has been appointed to develop a customized range of flip flops and watches for the Paris S.A Department store chain in Chile.

Chorion’s Latin American agent Exim Licensing Group, has also developed a number of unique opportunities for the brand. New apparel licensees include Styleprint in Peru, for kids’ pajamas, the Paris S.A Department store chain in Chile for apparel, plush, slippers and toothbrushes.

Exim Licensing Group has also secured licensing deals in Mexico with Esport Mundial for lollipop and gummy candies; Photopack to produce backpacks, rolling messenger bags, pencil cases and caps; and Industrias Confeti for t-shirts.

Finally, in an exciting promotion with Pollo Campero Restaurants across Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, each week two Mr. Men and Little Miss figurines will be given away in the “Kids Meal”. A total of 8 different collectible figurines will be featured in the promotion.

Robert Traub, SVP Licensing the Americas, says: “The Mr. Men and Little Miss brand continues to appeal to a wide ranging audience in North America and we are delighted with the steps Exim has taken in Latin America with this raft of deals. This exposure will have great impact and we are confident it will lead to further licensing deals in the region.”

Diego Barassi, Sr. Vice President Regional Marketing at Exim Licensing adds: “Current deals in key categories made with high quality licensees create an ideal base to deliver good results, develop the brand across Latin America and generate more exposure for Mr. Men and Little Miss. Our next step is to establish the brand by closing deals in additional categories, as well as try to develop new targets for the property.”

Chorion continues to build the global reach of its much-loved Mr. Men and Little Miss brand with apparel offerings for adults and kids at leading retailers worldwide and the Mr. Men and Little Miss publishing program goes from strength to strength, with over 12 million books sold in the UK, US, France and Australia in 2008. Chorion is seeking more partners for its growing novelty, seasonal and collectable categories.

The Mr. Men Show also continues its worldwide rollout with broadcasters including ABC Australia, Cartoon Network Asia, Korea and Japan, Canal J Russia, TG4 Ireland, True Visions Thailand, Happy TV Serbia, Disney Taiwan and RTP Portugal all taking the show.

A total of 104 x 11 minute episodes are currently available internationally, following Cartoon Network US and Five UK’s commitment to a second season of the animated sketch show.

Based on the original Mr. Men and Little Miss books created by Roger Hargreaves, The Mr. Men Show is the first animated sketch comedy for kids. It is an inspired re-imagining of this classic property, blending fast-paced physical humour and verbal wit with beloved, personality-driven characters. .