HIP Brands Acquires Psyclops Licensing Rights

HOLLYWOOD: HIP Brands, the third-party licensing banner within The Jim Henson Company, has scored the global licensing rights, excluding the Philippines, to the multiplatform product Psyclops.

Psyclops, which is targeted at teens and tweens, features one-eyed characters that embrace the music, dance and art worlds. It debuted as a mobile app in 2009, allowing users to create animations and music videos synced to their iPods. Since then, the brand has developed an interactive web-based music and dance community; iPod and iPhone covers have also been created to feature Psyclops characters.

As part of the global licensing deal, HIP Brands will develop a variety of Psyclops-brand consumer products, such as toys, designer plush, apparel, home furnishings, stationery, gifts, social expression, personal care, publishing, food and electronics.

Melissa Segal, the senior VP of global consumer products at The Jim Henson Company, said: “In the two years since the creators first introduced Psyclops, teens and tweens have been engaging with these colorful, graphically appealing, one-eyed characters online, and as a unique and distinctive means for personalizing their iPods and iPhones. Psyclops is a fresh, iconic, interactive and immersive pop culture brand, and offers incredible opportunities to tap into the growing youth consumer base on a variety of levels.”

“We’re so happy to be working with HIP,” added Jeff Muncy, the creative director of Psyclops. “Having worked with the Henson team on other projects, I know first-hand of their ability to deliver a fully developed global licensing program for Psyclops and we’re just eager to get started.”