Imperial plans Hello Kitty outdoor toys
By Staff -- Playthings, 3/31/2008 9:46:00 AM
NORTH HILLS, Calif.—Imperial Toy has joined Sanrio’s licensee list for Hello Kitty merchandise in the U.S. and Canada.
Imperial is developing a line bubble products, sprinklers and outdoor novelty toy items based on Sanrio’s Hello Kitty and My Melody (pictured at right as plush) characters. The centerpiece of the line will be a Hello Kitty Bubble Belly, a character-themed version of the toymaker’s bestselling battery-operated bubble toy.
“It is a wonderful match” said Tim Thompson, Imperial’s senior vice president. “Hello Kitty is a powerful brand for today’s girl. We are thrilled that our line of patented bubble and outdoor toys will become part of a new generation’s childhood memories.”
Imperial expects its Hello Kitty merchandise to debut at retail, including major accounts, specialty, gift, drug, supermarket and department stores, in January 2009.
