4Kids Presents New Character Group from Jim Henson Designs

NEW YORK: 4Kids Entertainment introduced The Scribbles, the newest character group from Jim Henson Designs, at the recently wrapped International Licensing Expo in Las Vegas.

The Scribbles were inspired by original scribbles by Jim Henson himself. They represent elements of personal imagination and emotions. The characters include Wendell, the dreamer; Gormand, the glutton; Zee-Zee, the lump; Spork, the wild child; Sunny, the goth girl; Bink, the weirdo; Razz, the trickster; and Smitty, the blowhard.

The characters were first introduced in 2009 and have been a hit in Japan, as products such as apparel and accessories for children and adults are available across a number of stores throughout the territory. 4Kids’ agent Global Brands is also int he process of negotiating additional licensing deals in multiple categories.

“We identified this as a key property for Japan since Jim Henson is a global icon,” said Marcia Aoki, the managing director of Global Brands Japan. “The Henson legacy, coupled with the fact that the art is so adorable and translates in any language, is what is making the brand a success in Japan. We are proud to have been the ‘adopted’ birthplace for Jim Henson Designs.”

“The inspiration, irreverence and originality of the prolific work from Jim Henson’s early career continues to resonate with old and new fans of all ages around the globe,” added Melissa Segal, the senior VP of global consumer products for The Jim Henson Company. “The Scribbles embrace the creative energy and spirit of Jim Henson’s art.”