1st Apr 2012
Sanrio Taps Lauren Faust for Hello Kitty and Friends Reboot.
Sanrio’s Brony Play?
In a surprising press release Shintaro Tsuji standing aside with Janet Hsu, Sanrio first Female COO for it US. subsidiary announces the tapping Lauren Faust to Reboot Hello Kitty and Friends currently shopped to Viacom. Miss Faust, known for her work on Power Puff Girls, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends and My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic, will serve as Chief Executive for the New Adventurers of Hello Kitty and Friends.
Some in the animation world are surprised by the news yet information leaked Sanrio’s corporate office hint the reason is the wildly success of My Little Pony especially among its most unlikely demographic: 15 to 30 year old men who are fans of My Little Pony. One executives speaking on condition he remains anonymous, say Sanrio has been studying Hasbro and it response to the male demographic. We covet the untapped men’s market and feel Sanrio can do a far superior job of reaching males with Hello Kitty than the Ponies. If indications show a building a similar male fan base, Sanrio is better in a position to respond. Sanrio can have a male line in Sanrio stores within four months and leverage our strength and expertise in collaborations with popular men’s retail lines, for example a collaboration with Nike. A Japanese blog, Nandesuka carries the same message.
Could a Hello Kitty X MY Little Pony be in the cards?
About SANRIO
SANRIO, best known for global icon Hello Kitty® and home to many more endearing characters including Chococat®, My Melody®, and Keroppi®, is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. August 2010 marks the golden anniversary for the worldwide lifestyle brand that was founded on the “small gift, big smile®” philosophy – that a small gift can bring a big smile to people of all ages. Today, over 50,000 Sanrio-branded items are sold in over 70 countries around the world. In the Western Hemisphere SANRIO character-branded products are sold in upwards of 12,000 locations including department, specialty, national chain stores and over 95 Sanrio boutiques. For more information, please visit www.sanrio.com.