Sep 10, 2012

Aurora World Nabs Garfield License Through 2015

Pico Rivera, CA – Aurora World Inc., which already licenses classic brands such as Lamb Chop™, Hush Puppies® and Raggedy Ann & Andy™, today announced details surrounding its newest plush license for the world’s most famous cat, Garfield. The lazy and lovable orange cat whose passion for food and sleep is matched only by his aversion to diet and exercise (he prefers lie-downs to sit-ups) is the star of the most widely syndicated comic strip ever. Created by Jim Davis, Garfield is read by 200 million people in more than 2,100 newspapers and journals worldwide every day. Garfield also stars in “The Garfield Show,” now airing on Cartoon Network in the USA and in 130 countries around the globe. Aurora will produce a variety of plush products, including seasonal offerings, based on Garfield and his friends.

A retro boom across a variety of industries means companies such as Aurora are introducing nostalgic products to new generations. Michael Kessler, Senior Vice President of sales and marketing at Aurora says, “Garfield has entertained parents and their parents every day since the strip launched in 1978. He is often referred to as a human in a cat suit and has a unique view of the world, which is why people relate to Garfield so well. He defends our right to grab a donut and take a long afternoon nap.”

The new collection launches in October 2012 and includes Wide Eyed Garfield “Sitting” (SRP: $13), Garfield “Floppy” (SRP: $13 and $20) and Garfield “Just Clinging Around” (SRP: $13) featuring suction cups “so you can easily attach Garfield to any glass surface.” All Garfield products will include a unique, double-sided “Cattitude” hangtag featuring the classic Garfield cartoon. Garfield will be distributed to specialty shops, gift stores and retailers in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand through December 31, 2015.

For more information, please visit http://www.auroragift.com, email info@auroragift.com or call 888-287-6722. Shop Aurora online at http://shop.auroragift.com or more than 25,000 retail outlets worldwide. Find Aurora on Facebook: www.facebook.com/auroraworld.

About Aurora
Aurora World, Inc. (www.auroragift.com) is a leading manufacturer and supplier of high quality, competitively priced plush toys and gifts. Aurora’s name reflects its extensive product lines and growing influence in the worldwide marketplace, as well as its international manufacturing, R&D and distribution resources. Founded in 1981, the Korean company with headquarters also in the United States, United Kingdom and Hong Kong, has ascended quickly to become a respected leader in the world’s toy and gift industry. Aurora created the international plush toy phenomenon – YooHoo & Friends™ – and its corresponding free, interactive web site (www.yoohoofriends.com), appealing to young children and tweens alike. The company sells its products via a wide variety of retailers including major zoos, high-end toy stores such as Learning Express, top gift chains such as Hallmark and Claire’s as well as hospital gift shops, fine florists, candy stores and gift/stationery stores worldwide.

About PAWS, Inc.
Paws, Inc., was founded in 1981 by cartoonist Jim Davis as a creative house to support Garfield licensing. Today, the company located in rural Indiana handles not only the creative angle, but also the business concerns of the corpulent kitty worldwide. Paws, Inc. is a privately held company and the sole owner of the copyrights and trademarks for GARFIELD and GARFIELD Characters. Paws, Inc. and Garfield have long been involved in public service campaigns that serve children including the National Institutes of Health’s “Sleep Well, Do Well” campaign, The Boy Scouts of America, and the National 4-H Foundation. More recently Garfield launched a new free educational website which promotes literacy at www.professorgarfield.org and has partnered with the Virginia Department of Education with health, wellness, and safety issues at their website, www.infinitelearninglab.org.