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.
