Independent licensing agency Bulldog Licensing, which manages UK licensing for Care Bears on behalf of Cloudco Entertainment, the owner of the Care Bears franchise, has hailed the continuing licensing growth of the brand in the UK with new agreements in accessories and apparel. Concept One Accessories, the premier resource for licensed fashion and entertainment accessories, is planning a line of Care Bears accessories including bags, purses, headwear, scarves, and gloves. Aimed at both children and adults, the line will be launching at retail this October.
Meanwhile, Little K Clothing, a maker of unique clothing in beautifully soft jersey fabrics, is producing a range of handmade Care Bears children’s apparel including dresses, leggings, jumpers, shorts, and tops. The range will be exclusively available from the Little K website later this year.
Both lines will employ designs inspired by the iconic Care Bears rainbow colours and characters, along with the brand’s uplifting messages of love, caring, and friendship, which resonate with fans worldwide.
Care Bears continues to show incredible growth more than forty years after the property first appeared on greetings cards and inspired a plush range. The brand has continued its upwards trajectory with further growth expected in 2024.
Concept One and Little K are joining a flourishing licensing programme for one of the world’s best-known and best-loved family brands, one that sees huge retail traction across multiple categories, ranging from plush through to apparel, accessories and homewares, making Care Bears one of the must-have brands in the UK for both adults and kids.
As Care Bears’ UK agent, Bulldog Licensing has welcomed a wide range of partners. Recent launches include jigsaw puzzles from Gibsons Games, a range of collectible pin badges and keyrings from Louis Kennedy, which have so far raised over £250K for Young Lives vs Cancer, embroidered badges from Pawprint Trading, and candles from Flamingo Candles.
Charlotte Payne, Director of International Licensing from Cloudco Entertainment says: “The enduring appeal of Care Bears across generations is stronger than ever. These partnerships with Concept One and Little K underscore the brand’s ability to attract wonderful partners in key categories. Care Bears’ message of love, empathy, and caring for others remains timeless and resonates with consumers and licensees alike.”
Bulldog MD Rob Corney adds: “It’s going to be another busy year for the Care Bears brand as it continues to build on its success across many categories – with a lot more to come. It’s already one of the hottest brands in both pop culture for young adults and for the primary girls’ market and we’re delighted to welcome Concept One and Little K as licensing partners. These two companies both enjoy a strong reputation – one that will further enhance the UK licensing campaign for this iconic brand.”