AMERICAN GREETINGS PROPERTIES EXPANDS GLOBAL REACH OF CARE BEARSWITH NEWINTERNATIONAL DEALS
FashionRetail GiantOysho Launches Line of Women’s Classic Care Bears Apparel and Accessories throughout Europe, Middle East and South America
Care Bears Continue to Spread Sunshine across the Globe withNew International Entertainment and Licensed Product Deals Reaching More Than70Territories Worldwide
New York, NY, November 4, 2008 - American Greetings Properties, the intellectual property and outbound licensing division of American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM), continues to expandthe international footprint ofpop culture sensations Care Bears across the globewith a slate of new deals in key territories. Through a partnership with Spain-based retail giantOysho, American Greetings Properties recently launched Care Bearsclassic apparel at all Oyshostores worldwide. Additionally, American Greetings Properties has entered intoseveral new entertainment and licensed merchandisedeals worldwide, furtherexpanding the presenceof the Care Bears brand.
Oysho, one of the world’s leading fashion retailers in women's apparel and accessories, recently launched a line of Classic Care Bears apparel and accessoriesin stores throughout Europe, the Middle East and South America. The Care Bears product lineatOyshoincludes t-shirts, sleepwear, undergarments, intimate wear, swimwear, causal outerwear, pants, dresses, skirts, footwear and a full assortment of original accessories. To help launch the program, Care Bears costumed characters spread hugs and cheerwith appearances at Oysho stores in Spain during the week of the launch. The Care Bears product line will be available in all of Oysho’s 362stores in 23countries through June 2009.
“We are thrilled that the momentum and excitement for theCare Bears -- a true evergreen brand -- continues to grow around the world,”said Carla Silva, Vice President of International Licensing, American Greetings Properties.“We are excited to partner with Oysho to launch a line of unique and original Classic Care Bears apparel and accessories that we are sure will be a hit. We look forward to bringing the Care Bears’ timeless message of caring and sharing to new audiences throughout the world with an exciting slate of new deals that will appeal to a broad demographic.”
In addition to the partnership with Oysho, American Greetings Properties has recently signed new entertainment and licensed product deals for the Care Bears in major territories worldwide.
Care Bears entertainment will be broadcast in more than 150 territories worldwide including Italy, Germany, Middle East, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Poland, Japan and Southeast Asia. Earliest broadcast will start in October 25th, 2008 in France. New broadcast partners include: KIKA (Germany), France 5 (France); PIWI (France); Al Jazeera Children’s Channel (Middle Eastern Territories), Hop! (Israel),SABC (South Africa, Sub Sahara Africa), Cartoon Network (Pan-Asia), and Alter TV (Greece).
In Europe, new partnerships include:
- Fipo Group Aps introduced a new line of Care Bears children’s and adult apparel throughoutGermany, Austria and Switzerland
- D’arpeje in France will debut Care Bears toys and ride-ons in April 2009.
- In the UK, Branded Clothing launched a Vintage Apparel Collection this winter, and Aykroyds will launch a new sleepwear collection summer/fall ’09.
In Asia, American Greetings Properties has signed on severallicensees for a variety of Care Bears apparel and stationary product lines, including:
- Shanghai Joint Force recently kicked off branded housewares in China.
- Seggan Taiwan has rolled out stationary throughout Taiwan.
- Sterling Paper Productswill be launching a variety of branded stationary throughout the Philippinesin spring 2009,including notebooks, stickers, pencil cases, book covers, journals and photo albums.
- New Urban Male.comwill roll out a number of adult vintage apparel items for men and womenthroughout Singaporein spring 2009, including t-shirts, tank tops, boxers and flip flops.
In South America, the following new licensees will be introducing a number of Care Bears products:
- Editorial Verticewill release activity and coloring books in spring 2009 throughout Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile.
- Deomar Editora is set to launch stickers and sticker albums in March 2009 throughout Brazil.
New Care Bears partnerships for Australia and New Zealand include:
- Apparel House (New Zealand)recently rolled out new girls infant wear, including body suits and jackets, as well as junior girls hats.
- Casco Blue’s newly introduced line of pajamas is hitting stores throughout New Zealand and Australia.
- Apparel House Design & Supply(New Zealand) also recently debuteda new line of apparel and accessories.
- Vita New Zealand Limited recently released a number of cot, mattresses, nursery items and boosters for the younger generation of Care Bears fans.
About American Greetings Corporation
For more than 100 years American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM) has been a manufacturer and retailer of innovative social expressions products that assist consumers in enhancing their relationships. The Company’s primary greeting card brands are American Greetings, Carlton Cards and Gibson, and other paper product offerings include, DesignWare party goods, American Greetings and Plus Mark gift-wrap and boxed cards and Date Works calendars. American Greetings also has one of the largest collections of electronic greetings on the Web, including cards available at AmericanGreetings.com, through AG Interactive, Inc., the company’s online division. AG Interactive also offers digital photo sharing and personal publishing at PhotoWorks.com and Webshots.com, and a one-stop source for online graphics, animations, emoticons, text generators, and more atKiwee.com. In addition to its product lines, American Greetings creates and licenses popular character brands through the American Greetings Properties group. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, American Greetings generates annual revenue of approximately $1.8 billion, and its products can be found in retail outlets domestically and worldwide, including company owned American Greetings and Carlton Cards stores. For more information on the company, visit
# # #
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND/OR IMAGES PLEASE CONTACT:
Karen Silberg or Nicole Tubman
DAN KLORES COMMUNICATIONS
212-685-4300