Saban’s Paul Frank Brand Launches in China

LOS ANGELES: Saban Brands continues to expand the Paul Frank brand throughout Asia, recently opening its first flagship store in China.

The Paul Frank store, located in Joy City Mall in Xidan, Beijing, opened on September 9. Saban is working with Shanghai Romma, a subsidiary of the Jun Yao Corporation, to launch approximately 60 more Paul Frank stores across China within the next five years. Currently, there are Paul Frank stores in Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia. The Paul Frank brand has expanded with new licensing partners, product categories and content initiatives, including the mobile game app, Paul Frank’s Magic Balloon and a Christmas television special.

“Asia is one of the fastest growing markets for the Paul Frank brand, with strong demand for products across all categories, and with an increasing brand awareness in China, there is tremendous opportunity in the retail marketplace there,” said Kirk Bloomgarden, the senior VP of international licensing at Saban Brands. “We are thrilled to launch our first dedicated store in China, and look forward to executing a five-year growth plan that will deliver the Paul Frank experience across the country.”

“We are honored to be working with Saban Brands in bringing the Paul Frank stores to the brand’s fans throughout China,” said Dave Qian, the director of Shanghai Romma. “The brand’s iconic Julius the monkey has quickly spread among China’s consumer marketplace and we anticipate significant growth in consumer demand for all of the products and merchandise emanating from the Paul Frank brand.”