DC Teams with Hello Kitty in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
DC Comics Super Heroes Tap Into Hello Kitty Super Power for a Fan-Favorite Brand Collaboration
Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Sanrio GmbH Announce Partnership to License Branded Collection Launching in EMEA
(RTM note: EMEA is Europe, the Middle East, and Africa)
Los Angeles, CA – June 18, 2013 – Warner Bros. Consumer Products, in partnership with DC Entertainment, and Sanrio, creator of the global icon Hello Kitty, announced today they will be partnering to license a new brand collaboration that will feature Hello Kitty dressed up as her favorite DC Comics Super Heroes, including Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman.
"Hello Kitty is an inspired choice for a momentous co-branding that will expand the reach and appeal of both DC Comics Super Heroes and Sanrio properties," said Brad Globe, president, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. "This unique partnership joins two powerhouse brands that have a universal popularity across a variety of demographics and we know the collaboration will thrill fans of both properties."
"Character cross-overs have been a classic Hello Kitty spin off for years and our fans are always in search of the latest collaborations," said Roberto Lanzi, Operating Officer, Sanrio Co., Ltd. "We are sure that this project will soon create a new collection fever."
"Our strategic focus will be on working with best in class licensees and retailers who reflect the power and potential of this groundbreaking co-branded collaboration. We will work together to deliver must own products that will drive innovation in licensing," said Pilar Zulueta, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Warner Bros. Consumer Products EMEA.
"We are thrilled to partner with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Entertainment to give Hello Kitty 'super hero powers'," said Stefano Mastropietro, COO, Sanrio GmbH. "Both Hello Kitty and the DC Comics Super Heroes are universally beloved, and this fun initiative is sure to pack a playful punch in the EMEA territories."
Set to debut at retailers around the world in 2014, the heroic Hello Kitty will appear on apparel, accessories and footwear, stationery, publishing, personal care, promotional products and food products from a variety of top-tier licensing partners.
About Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.
About DC Entertainment
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world. In January 2012, DC Entertainment, in collaboration with Warner Bros. and Time Warner divisions, launched We Can Be Heroes - a giving campaign featuring the iconic Justice League super heroes - to raise awareness and funds to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.
About Sanrio
Shintaro Tsuji founded Sanrio Company Ltd. in Japan in 1960 with the motto "Small Gift, Big Smile" and the aim of bringing happiness to people's lives through inexpensive goods. His Company is today not only home to superstar Hello Kitty, but a Global brand concentrated on developing significant marketing strategies for classic Sanrio Characters like My Melody, Kerokerokeroppi, Bad Badtz-Maru, Little Twin Stars, Cinnamoroll, Pompompurin, Sugarbunnies, Chococat, Tuxedo Sam, Jewelpet, Kuromi, Charmmykitty and new acquisitions like the British icons Mr. Men and Little Miss.
About Hello Kitty
Hello Kitty was born in London in 1974.Throughout the years she has become one of the most unique and interesting characters ever created, a worldwide social icon with relevance to women of all ages, ethnicities and economic backgrounds as well as an inspiration to artists and designers. Her motto says: you can never have too many friends.