Holly Hobbie & Friends to launch next year
Staff -- Kids Today, 7/1/2005
New York— Holly Hobbie, a classic property from the 1970s, recently returned to the scene, and she's bringing a relative.
American Greetings, in partnership with Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products, plans to launch the Holly Hobbie & Friends property in spring 2006. The property follows the adventures of 10-year-old Holly — the modern-day great-great-granddaughter of the original Holly Hobbie — her friends Amy and Carrie, and their families. The younger Holly is described as feeling a deep sense of connection to her grandmother. Holly wears boots and a blue bonnet cap, both signatures of the classic Holly.
"Holly Hobbie & Friends is a contemporary evolution of the classic brand," said Michael Brown, vice president of licensing for American Greetings, which is handling licensing for classic Holly Hobbie and the new brand. "The property celebrates the magic milestones of growing up in today's world while retaining the innocence and charm of the original Holly Hobbie."
Holly Hobbie & Friends will debut next spring in a direct-to-video series. Mattel has signed on as master toy licensee, and that line will debut later in 2006. Also on board are Simon & Schuster with storybooks and a coloring and activity program, and Meredith Books with two sound books. Both are scheduled to launch in 2006. Other categories available for licensing are music, crafts, accessories, bedding and room décor.
New Holly follows the recent re-launch of classic Holly Hobbie, who is back with updated color palettes and patterns. Learning Curve has signed on to produce a line of gifts, collectibles, ornaments and rag dolls. The doll line is composed of four products: a 12-inch doll in a new color palette; a 9-inch doll is authentic colors; an 18-inch Holiday Holly Hobbie in season-appropriate colors and deluxe fabrics; and the My First Holly Hobbie gift set, which includes a rag doll, plush bear and ball. Retail prices range between $11.99 and $24.99.
All the rag dolls will be available by September, and they will retail primarily in gift and specialty shops.
An updated Holly Hobbie & Friends, left, is a contemporary evolution of the classic brand. Classic Holly Hobbie, right, has also recently been reintroduced with updated color palettes and patterns, and includes a line of gifts and dolls from Learning Curve, shown.
