The Smurfs, ZEPETO Metaverse Collaboration
Brussels – June 24, 2022 — I.M.P.S. / Lafig Belgium have collaborated with Bare Tree Media to design and place The Smurfs branded virtual goods within ZEPETO, Asia’s largest metaverse platform with over 300 million registered users around the globe. The initial launch includes The Smurfs summer collection of custom designed 2D and 3D branded apparel and accessories, available exclusively to the global audience within ZEPETO.
“This is such a smurftastic opportunity to launch a popular branded IP into the metaverse with a leading metaverse partner. We are thrilled to offer ZEPETO’s global audience of 300 million users an opportunity to customize their avatars and metaverse experience with The Smurfs branded digital goods collection.” — Robert Ferrari, President of Bare Tree Media
This is the first metaverse collaboration between ZEPETO and Bare Tree Media. I.M.P.S. and Bare Tree Media have worked on past digital collaborations to introduce The Smurfs to branded mobile messaging applications, GIPHY, Snapchat (i.e., AR experience), and smartwatches.
The Smurfs/IMPS/ZEPETO
“The Smurfs fans have been surprised lately with some unexpected young adult fashion collaborations. How exciting to now be able to connect with this audience within the metaverse. We are so thrilled to collaborate on this project with the amazing Bare Tree Media team and come out of the blue once again, bringing some new Smurf fun within ZEPETO!” — Philippe Glorieux, Head of Marketing & Family Entertainment at I.M.P.S.
The current ZEPETO launch of The Smurfs branded virtual goods goes live June 24th available globally.
About Bare Tree Media
As a pioneer in the digital creative and technology sector, Bare Tree Media enables brands to reach, engage, and entertain consumers through the creation and digital publishing of branded emojis, messaging stickers, GIFs, digital collectibles, metaverse virtual goods, and augmented reality experiences within popular messaging platforms. Interested brands can learn more at www.baretreemedia.com or contact Bare Tree Media at info@baretreemedia.com.
About Peyo, LAFIG Belgium/I.M.P.S. (International Merchandising Promotions & Services)
I.M.P.S., together with LAFIG Belgium, are the official licensors of the little blue-skinned characters ‘The Smurfs.’ Over the years, IMPS has worked in close collaboration with its agents worldwide to develop successful licensed merchandising, retail and co-branded promotions, publishing activities, broadcasting deals, theme parks, live shows, and family entertainment centers that have secured the everlasting success of the Smurfs. IMPS is run by Véronique Culliford, the daughter of Smurfs creator Pierre Culliford, who is better known under his pseudonym Peyo. Véronique has run I.M.P.S. since 1984 and controls with LAFIG Belgium the rights to the Smurfs characters and the Smurfs licensing worldwide.
About ZEPETO
ZEPETO is a metaverse providing the next generation with freedom of identity in the virtual space. With over 300 million lifetime users, ZEPETO is the fastest growing avatar platform in Asia. It is most popular among Generation Z, who express themselves while meeting, collaborating, and creating with others.
Azerion Welcomes Teletubbies Into the Metaverse
Amsterdam – December 14, 2021 — Azerion, the digital entertainment and media platform behind the popular online games Habbo and Hotel Hideaway, is welcoming the Teletubbies to the metaverse in celebration of the brand’s upcoming 25th anniversary in 2022. Under a new partnership with WildBrain, the collaboration will include the exclusive release of virtual products in Habbo and Hotel Hideaway on December 14th. Products available for purchase with virtual currency include Teletubbies-branded avatar onesies and custom furniture (i.e., Tubby Toaster, Custard Machine, and Noo-Noo the vacuum cleaner).
“We’re excited to work together with Bare Tree Media and WildBrain CPLG on welcoming the iconic Teletubbies into our virtual worlds. This partnership demonstrates the many possibilities when it comes to brand partnerships and immersive experiences in this space. The values the Teletubbies embody will really resonate with the diverse and inclusive communities of Habbo and Hotel Hideaway.” — Madelon Smittenaar, Business Development Manager of Azerion
Established in 2000 by Finnish company Sulake as the first metaverse of its kind, Habbo is a user-generated virtual world and social gaming platform with a distinctive pixel-art style. It is available across nine language communities and attracting Gen Z/Gen Y adults from over 150 countries. Also created by Sulake, Hotel Hideaway offers a 3D role-playing experience with seamlessly integrated opportunities to meet, create, and share.
“This is our first venture into the metaverse with the Teletubbies and we’re excited to see how Gen Z fans engage with the brand in a new and unique way. This is just the start of our Teletubbies 25th anniversary celebrations with a raft of new partners and executions expected next year that will continue to bring the beloved brand to life for fans.” — Jasen Wright, VP of North America at WildBrain CPLG
The Teletubbies brand partnership and launch is managed by Bare Tree Media, a leader in digital engagement for brands and the global digital licensee of Teletubbies, in collaboration with WildBrain’s leading licensing agency WildBrain CPLG.
“We’re thrilled to bring the Teletubbies into the metaverse through virtual goods for avatars and virtual spaces within Habbo and Hotel Hideaway. The nostalgia that the Teletubbies evoke as true pop culture icons is a perfect fit for the game demographics and we look forward to further releases throughout 2022.” — Robert Ferrari, President of Bare Tree Media
Join us in celebrating the Teletubbies' 25th Anniversary
Download Habbo & Hotel Hideaway and get into character as your favorite Teletubby.
About Azerion
Azerion is a European gaming, entertainment, and media platform specializing in digital advertising and the creation and distribution of premium digital content. Since its founding in 2014, Azerion’s ambitious growth strategy has been strengthened by the company’s network of in-market presence across the European Community (EC), which serves the interests of local audiences and digital advertisers, publishers, and content creators.
About Bare Tree Media
As a pioneer in the digital creative and technology sector, Bare Tree Media enables brands to reach, engage, and entertain consumers through the creation and digital publishing of branded emojis, messaging stickers, GIFs, digital collectibles, metaverse virtual goods, and augmented reality experiences within popular messaging platforms. Interested brands can learn more at www.baretreemedia.com or contact Bare Tree Media at info@baretreemedia.com.
About WildBrain
WildBrain inspires imaginations to run wild. Their shows (i.e., Peanuts, Teletubbies, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Caillou) are enjoyed worldwide in more than 150 countries on over 500 streaming platforms and telecasters. The company also licenses consumer products and location-based entertainment in every major territory under WildBrain CPLG. Visit us at www.wildbrain.com
Bare Tree Media, Sanrio Partnership Announced
Boston, MA – August 25, 2021 — Sanrio has tapped Bare Tree Media as its digital licensing and marketing partner for Mr. Men Little Miss globally, as well as Hello Kitty and Friends, Aggretsuko, and Gudetama brands in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
With an expertise in digital design and marketing, the team at Bare Tree Media will customize the branded content for global and local markets in the form of iMessage stickers, Google Play stickers, LINE stickers and Emojis, Samsung themes, Facer watch faces, and GIFs featured on a branded GIPHY channel.
“We are thrilled to partner with Sanrio and offer an amazing range of branded digital experiences to fans eager to engage, share, and customize their digital devices and messaging conversations. The Mr. Men Little Miss, Hello Kitty and Friends, Aggretsuko and Gudetama brands appeal to a multi-generational audience. The company’s mission of spreading self-expression, love, and humor aligns perfectly with our content creation and network of global partnerships.” — Robert Ferrari, President of Bare Tree Media
The Mr. Men Little Miss digital content planned will feature the more than 90 diverse characters. The other Sanrio characters to be released will be Hello Kitty, Chococat, Kuromi, My Melody, Bad Badtz-Maru, Little Twin Stars, Aggretsuko, and Gudetama.
About Bare Tree Media
As a pioneer in the digital creative and technology sector, Bare Tree Media enables brands to reach, engage, and entertain consumers through the creation and digital publishing of branded emojis, messaging stickers, GIFs, digital collectibles, metaverse virtual goods, and augmented reality experiences within popular messaging platforms. Interested brands can learn more at www.baretreemedia.com or contact Bare Tree Media at info@baretreemedia.com.
About Sanrio
Sanrio Company, Ltd. is a Japanese entertainment company that licenses, designs, and produces a wide range of products for retail and digital markets. As of 2022, Sanrio has created over 450 characters with Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, gudetama, and My Melody being some of their most iconic. The company also owns the rights to the Mr. Men Little Miss characters. Sanrio prides itself on delivering experiences that align with their vision of “One World, Connecting Smiles.”
Wimpy Kid Introduces Augmented Reality and Sticker Keyboards
Boston, MA – January 24, 2020 – Massachusetts-based companies Wimpy Kid, Inc. and Bare Tree Media expanded their digital partnership with the introduction of augmented reality social media effects and a global expansion of their stickers within keyboard mobile applications.
“I love seeing fans around the globe engage with the Wimpy Kid brand using our existing emoji-style stickers. This year, we wanted to expand the Wimpy Kid universe and I’m thrilled to have the brand-new augmented reality and sticker formats on major global platforms. I’m really looking forward to seeing where Greg can go with his fans in 2020!” — Jeff Kinney, Author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series
To kick off 2020, Bare Tree Media designed and released three augmented reality effects themed around Diary of a Wimpy Kid 14: Wrecking Ball. The AR effects offer users the ability to insert a swinging virtual wrecking ball into their camera scene and then wreck, record, and share a real world scene of their choice. The AR filters are available to engage Wimpy Kid fans on Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat.
“Augmented reality is a great marketing platform for brands to engage audiences and a perfect fit for the Wimpy Kid fanbase to create and share their special moments with a wrecking ball.” — Robert Ferrari, President of Bare Tree Media
Bare Tree Media also expanded their Wimpy Kid-branded digital presence to include digital stickers released within Baidu’s keyboard apps worldwide, including Facemoji Keyboard in the United States, Simeji in Japan, and Baidu IME in China.
“We are delighted to kick off 2020 by launching these stickers with Bare Tree Media and Wimpy Kid, Inc. Now, our keyboard app users around the world can all enjoy Wimpy Kid’s uniquely charming brand of humor when they chat with their friends online.” — Josh Fenn, Senior Marketing Manager at Baidu
About Bare Tree Media
As a pioneer in the digital creative and technology sector, Bare Tree Media enables brands to reach, engage, and entertain consumers through the creation and digital publishing of branded emojis, messaging stickers, GIFs, digital collectibles, metaverse virtual goods, and augmented reality experiences within popular messaging platforms. Interested brands can learn more at www.baretreemedia.com or contact Bare Tree Media at info@baretreemedia.com.
About “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”
More than 200 million copies of the books in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series have been sold globally. Published in 2007, the first book was an instant bestseller and remained on the New York Times bestseller list since its publication and through the release of the fourteenth book. This is more than 686 weeks total!
Published on November 5, 2019, the fourteenth installment in the series, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball, immediately hit #1 on the USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and New York Times bestseller lists.
About the Author
Jeff Kinney is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and a six-time Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award winner for Favorite Book for his Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. Jeff has been named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World. He is also the creator of Poptropica, which was named one of Time’s 50 Best Websites. He spent his childhood in the Washington, D.C., area and moved to New England in 1995. Jeff lives with his wife and two sons in Massachusetts, where they own a bookstore, An Unlikely Story. For more about Wimpy Kid visit wimpykid.com.