FME to Represent New Fashion Property from Hello Kitty Creator

NEW YORK, April 29: FremantleMedia
Enterprises (FME) has acquired the exclusive representation rights from Crown
Creative to the Japanese fashion property Rebecca Bonbon, created by Yuko
Shimizu, the designer of Hello Kitty.

Launched in Japan in 2005
by Crown Creative, Rebecca Bonbon is a French bulldog character whose product
range includes apparel, jewelry, bags and other fashion accessories, as well as
toys and confectionery. FME will debut Rebecca Bonbon at the Licensing 2008
International show as the “new face in fashion,” with the goal of building the
property into a global fashion and accessories brand. Rebecca Bonbon is now
available, through FME, for licensing and co-branding opportunities in Europe,
the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Asia (excluding Japan, Korea and China),
Australia and New Zealand.

David Ellender, FME’s CEO, commented: “We are extremely happy to be bringing such a
hot fashion property to this year’s market. I believe Rebecca Bonbon is a
strong character with a great appeal to female consumers from their tweens to
their thirties and we’re committed to building this into an aspirational
fashion brand worldwide. And, of course, a deal such as this adds yet another
dimension to FME’s ever-growing portfolio.”

—By Irene Lew