35 Years of Hello Kitty

Hello Kitty, the creation of parent company, Sanrio, Co. Ltd, is kicking off her 35th anniversary with a full slate of activities, festivities and even more product launches.

The worldwide theme for this 35th Anniversary is "Hello Kitty Colors" which conveys the essence of Hello Kitty that has kept her relevant and appealing to devotees for so long: red for friendship, pink for cute, yellow for heartful, green for wish and lavender for sweet. The message of each color will be reflected on her trademark bow.

"Hello Kitty colors the world and captures the hearts and imaginations of so many people," said Janet Hsu, President of Sanrio Global Consumer Products. "The theme of Hello Kitty's Anniversary is inspired by her legacy and the loving qualities that have resonated with fans from around the world for the past 35 years."

The celebration is indeed a global endeavor, reflecting the brand's universal appeal. Stores around the world, from France to China, will carry her 35th anniversary-themed merchandise beginning in September - and continue with celebrations in select stores throughout the end of the year. Ms. Hsu said hundreds of products affiliated with the milestone will roll out this year, spanning a cross-section of categories from apparel to jewelry to limited edition collectibles. Hello Kitty enthusiasts worldwide can visit the official website, hosted by Sanrio Japan, for the global Hello Kitty 35th anniversary celebration at http://www.kitty35.com/. A U.S. website for the 35th anniversary will be introduced in June 2009 and will provide up-to-date information on product launches, activities and events.

Closer to the exact anniversary date of November 1, SANRIO Inc. will host a bi-coastal gallery exhibition, featuring Hello Kitty products of the past, present and future, along with artist interpretations of the icon. Plans are also in the works to tie in the celebrations with national and local charities to support SANRIO's philosophy of "Small Gift, Big Smile."

COPYRIGHT 2009 PR Newswire Association LLC
COPYRIGHT 2009 Gale, Cengage Learning

|

hello kitty maternity hospital

Hello baby! Hello Kitty welcomes Taiwan newborns
reuters.com



YUANLIN, Taiwan (Reuters Life!) - Mommy, daddy -- and Hello Kitty -- welcome newborns at a cat-themed Taiwan maternity hospital that hopes the Japanese cartoon icon will ease the stress of childbirth as well as boost business.

The 30-bed Hau Sheng Hospital in Yuanlin in central Taiwan claims to be the only institution of its kind authorized by the popular cartoon cat's parent company Sanrio Co Ltd.

Newborns get everything Hello Kitty but a set of whiskers, including pink or blue receiving blankets, nurses dressed in pink uniforms with cat-themed aprons, cot linen and room decor.

In the lobby, a Hello Kitty statue in a doctor's uniform greets patients, and twice a year people in feline costumes visit mothers and children.

The cat's likeness even shows up on birth certificate covers.

Director Tsai Tsung-chi said he hopes the white, mouthless cat that is one of the world's most recognizable characters will ease the pain and fear associated with childbirth and being admitted into hospital.

"I wish that everyone who comes here, mothers who suffer while giving birth and children who suffer from an illness, can get medical care while seeing these kitties and bring a smile to their faces, helping forget about discomfort and recover faster," he told Reuters.

Tsai opened the hospital with T$100 million ($3 million) in his hometown of 126,000 because his mother, wife and daughter all like the cartoon cat.

"Unlike traditional hospitals that are mostly white, I feel this one is pretty good," said Chen Shing-chiu, 38, mother of a newborn baby boy. "I like Hello Kitty very much myself."

Hello Kitty has a loyal following in Japan and elsewhere, mainly of young females who consider her the epitome of cuteness. The podgy feline has even been featured in the Japanese issue of fashion magazine Vogue this year.

(Reporting by Christine Lu and Ben Tai; writing by Ralph Jennings, editing by Miral Fahmy)

|

hello world album

HELLO WORLD is the first-ever full-length Sanrio album available in the USA! HELLO WORLD offers 10 superfun original tracks inspired by Hello Kitty (and 1 by Chococat!).

The first single "Come On, Come On", by actress, singer and Hello Kitty fan Keke Palmer has already hit the airwaves.

HELLO WORLD is currently available on iTunes and exclusively at Wal*Mart stores from October 7th. The album will be widely available, including Sanrio.com and Sanrio Boutiques, in January 2009.

You can also hear and share the poptastic tunes right here! Click the buttons next to each song to listen. To take the Hello World downloadable widget with you and share on your favorite blogs and websites, just click on the arrows in the widget and copy and paste the code onto your page!

sanrio.com

|

comments...

posts tagged hello kitty on technorati in the last 90 days.

pics tagged hello kitty on flickr