Cloudco Entertainment Solidifies its Global Care Bears Plush via New Partnerships with Simba Dickie Group, Dan Dee International, and Grupo Ruz
LOS ANGELES – Cloudco Entertainment, the owner of the beloved Care Bears™ brand, is thrilled to announce new plush partnerships with Simba Dickie Group (EU), Dan Dee International (seasonal plush for the US and Canada), and Grupo Ruz (Mexico). These collaborations are set to bring a wide range of new plush and other toy products to fans worldwide, further expanding the Care Bears’ reach and continuing to spread their timeless messages of sharing, caring, and togetherness.
New partner Simba Dickie Group, a premier European plush manufacturer, will now produce a variety of plush and other toys tailored to appeal to the multi-generational fanbase of the Care Bears across the EU. The initial product launch is scheduled for later this year in select key markets, followed by a wider launch in Q1 2025. “Care Bears, an iconic beloved brand with fans in all age groups, is a fantasic addition for our plush product portfolio,” said Werner Lenzer, Senior Licensing Manager at Simba Dickie Group.
Dan Dee International, renowned for its high-quality seasonal plush, is also signing on to offer seasonal Care Bears plush products in the US and Canadian markets that capture the hearts of fans of all ages. Menal McGrath, SVP, Global Licensing of Dan Dee International, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “We are honored to continue our partnership with the Care Bears brand to bring their cherished characters and timeless messages of love and caring to our broad audience.” Dan Dee’s Care Bears plush products will start launching in early 2025.
Grupo Ruz will join the Care Bears family with their innovative designs and high-quality plush and toy products for Mexico. Adriana Miranda Gutiérrez, Director of Licensing at Grupo Ruz, commented, “We are thrilled to expand the Care Bears universe with Ruz’s unique and creative plush products. Their designs will bring a fresh and exciting dimension to our range, delighting fans of all ages.”These new collaborations mark an important milestone in the ongoing global success story of the Care Bears, as they join the brand’s core plush partner for the US, UK, and Canada, Basic Fun!
Robert Prinzo, Head of Global Licensing at Cloudco Entertainment, shared his excitement about these new partnerships: “We are thrilled to bring aboard Simba Dickie Group, Dan Dee International, and Ruz, all of which will help expand the global reach of the Care Bears by bringing joy to fans through their high-quality Care Bear products. Together, alongside all of our other global partners, we look forward to creating new and exciting ways for fans to connect with their favorite Care Bears characters.”
About Cloudco Entertainment
Cloudco Entertainment (formerly American Greetings Entertainment) is a children’s entertainment company and the owner of iconic entertainment brands such as Care Bears™, Holly Hobbie™, Madballs™, Boy Girl Dog Cat Mouse Cheese™, Twisted Whiskers™, Buddy Thunderstruck™, Tinpo™ and its newest IP, Overlord & The Underwoods™. Cloudco Entertainment develops multi-platform entertainment franchises across all media channels and creates a wide range of consumer merchandising programs and experiences that immerse children and adults in the brands they love.
About Care Bears™
Introduced in 1982 through consumer products, greeting cards, and later a series of animated television shows and feature films, Care Bears is one of the most popular and endearing children’s properties in the world. Fans of all ages are drawn to the lovable, huggable bears from Care-a-Lot who inspire all to have fun, share, and care. The Care Bears first appeared in their own television specials in 1983 and 1984, followed by a long-running animated TV series and the leap to the big screen in 1985-87 with The Care Bears Movie trilogy. Care Bears & Cousins, a Netflix original CGI- animated series, launched in fall 2015. In 2019, a brand-new look and mission for the Care Bears was introduced in Care Bears: Unlock the Magic, a 48 episode, 2D animated series currently airing in the US on Cartoon Network, Boomerang, and HBO Max via its Cartoonito preschool block. In 2022, the Care Bears celebrated 40 years of sharing and caring through the launch of new consumer products with key retail partners and a range of new toys with Basic Fun.
About Simba Dickie Group
As one of the top five toy manufacturers in Europe, the SIMBA DICKIE GROUP operates internationally with a workforce of approximately 2,700 people. In 2023, the Group recorded revenue of €675.2 million. The family-owned company, founded by Fritz and Michael Sieber in 1982, has been managed in the third generation by CEO Florian Sieber since 1 May 2021.
Almost all toy categories for every age group are represented under the umbrella of the Group. The product range comprises more than 4,000 inspiring items – from the popular BIG Bobby Car and playhouses from Smoby Toys to the dress-up doll Steffi Love from Simba Toys, wooden building blocks from Eichhorn and plush toys from Nicotoy. The Group’s corporate philosophy can be described in five words: “We love to make toys”.
This is also reflected in the company’s guiding principles: Consumer focus, simple structures, a people-oriented approach, integrity, sustainable success and diversity. Our vision is: We want to play an essential role in everyone’s childhood – being the most passionate family-owned toy company.
About Dan Dee International
Dan Dee International is a leading manufacturer of plush, toys and home décor, renowned for its commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. With decades of experience in the industry, Dan Dee International specializes in creating captivating plush, collectible toys and home décor that bring joy to people of all ages.
About Grupo Ruz
Grupo Ruz is a Mexican company established in 1991. We are leaders in the licensed products industry for different categories like toys, plush, back to school and seasonal décor. Our purpose is to transform stories into authentic products to create happy moments. To learn more about Grupo Ruz, visit GrupoRuz.com.mx.