FunMobility to Offer Hello Kitty, Other Characters to Mobile Phones

By Calvin Azuri

TMCnet Contributing Editor

 

FunMobility Inc. announced today that it’s signed an agreement with SANRIO Inc. to offer popular SANRIO characters to mobile phone users through its mobile wallpaper applications, including FunGirl, Wallpaper Universe and FunSreenz.

 

The SANRIO characters that will be offered to users are Hello Kitty, My Melody, Badtz-Maru, Chocolat, Deery-Lou, tuxedo Sam, Little Twin Stars, Cinnamoroll and Pochacco, according to the companies.

 

According to Adam Lavine, chief executive officer of FunMobility, “We are excited that SANRIO Inc. has chosen FunMobility to distribute mobile content. SANRIO has a formidable portfolio targeted towards the growing teen demographics. We believe strongly in the power of truly unique and personalized content, we are excited bringing characters like ‘Hello Kitty’ to our users.”

 

SANRIO says it develops, distributes and licenses gift, stationery and fashion accessory items for women. The company was founded in 1960 based on the concept that a small gift can bring a big smile to a child of any age. Now, more than 50,000 SANRIO branded items are sold in over 60 countries. In the Western Hemisphere, SANRIO branded products are sold in more than 12,000 locations including department, specialty, national chain stores and over 200 SANRIO boutiques. SANRIO Inc. is a subsidiary of SANRIO Ltd., Japan.

 

SANRIO created Hello Kitty thirty years ago. Hello Kitty is a friendly feline with a bright red bow and it adorns a collection of stationary items and coin purses, according to the company. From its creation, Hello Kitty was a big hit and helped SANRIO grow into a $1 billion business worldwide. Today, Hello Kitty has become an international phenomenon. It is used in a wide range of lifestyle products such as notepads, kitchen appliances, jewelry, electronics etc. Hello Kitty represents the philosophy of SANRIO – “small gift, big smile,” company officials say.