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© 1976,
SANRIO CO., LTD.
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Bright and kind-hearted Hello Kitty has proven a long-term design character, standing the test of time and taste - the elaborately simple designs are very well suited to meet all kinds of different needs. Through the mere power of great design - with no TV series, narrative publishing or other accompanying storyline - Hello Kitty has grown into a "billion dollar feline phenomenon". In 2002, Hello Kitty was ranked the world's third most recognizable Asian brand, beaten only by Sony and Cathay Pacific Airways. In Japan's $16 billion character-goods industry, Hello Kitty is the leading brand. In the 90s and onwards, Hello Kitty has way transcended the children's market and is also a very strong adult brand, adding a taste of whim and cuteness on all kinds of products. Several celebrities have adopted her as a fashion statement.
Hello Kitty is the most famous creation from Japanese design company Sanrio. The character was originally created by Ikuko Shimizu and has then been developed under the maintenance of Setsuko Yonekubo and Yuko Yamaguchi. First designed to primarily appeal to young girls, the character was given an English name due to the huge popularity of British culture in Japan at the time - it is said the Hello Kitty's creator drew inspiration from the cat character in Lewis Carroll's children's book classic Through the Looking Glass.
Hello Kitty's full name is Kitty White, and she lives in London. Additional characters in her world are her boyfriend Dear Daniel (introduced in 1999), her parents George and Mary White, her twin sister Mimmy (who wears a yellow bow over her right ear), her pet cat Charmmy Kitty and her pet hamster Sugar. From these basic starting-points, everyone can create their own Hello Kitty stories, and there is also extensive freedom with regards to graphic designs featuring the character.
Hello Kitty is seen on more than 22.000 different products in 40 countries, distributed through Sanrio shops and assigned distributors. Only in Japan, up to 600 new products are launched every month. There are currently 3000 point-of-sale units in Europe, whereof four in Moscow and one in Budapest.
Plus Licens represents Sanrio for merchandising, promotion and publishing rights to Hello Kitty in the Nordic countries and Eastern Europe.
