Chart-topping 3D animation brand Bodhi and Friends has formed a strategic partnership with B.Duck, announced at the Hong Kong Licensing Show.
This follows the brand’s landmark partnership with Fisher Price in October, when it became the first Chinese intellectual property to be licensed by Mattel in its 70-year history.
With B.Duck, Bodhi and Friends will launch a series of products targeting fashionable young families. These will range from “mummy bags” to school bags made from premium materials.
Before the official launch at the Hong Kong Licensing Show, the series was pre-sold on Taobao in December. Through its portfolio of 3D animation, interactive games and edutainment products, Bodhi and Friends aims to inspire innovation, intelligence and positive values in children.
With its “Be Playful” motto, B.Duck has an international portfolio of consumer products.
Both companies were founded in Hong Kong, says CEO/founder Poman Lo of Century Innovative Technology (CIT), which owns Bodhi and Friends.
“Following its chart-topping second season, which was number one in viewership ratings on CCTV and Hunan TV, Bodhi and Friends will have three full seasons airing this year,” says Lo.
“B.Duck has accumulated a strong following on its social-media and eCommerce platforms, and build a strong reputation for high-quality fashionable products.”
100 million viewers
Bodhi and Friends has had more than 100 million TV viewers, while B.Duck founder Eddie Hui says its target customers are sophisticated middle- to high-income consumers.
Apart from the product collaboration, Bodhi and Friends has authorised B.Duck to be the licensed agent for its brand and products.
CIT was established in 2012 as a family edutainment company and developed by an international team of education, psychology, animation, gaming and education technology experts.
Bodhi and Friends was created in 2006 as a charity project with the brand motto “Empowering Creative Minds”. CIT launched it as a commercial brand with the first season airing on CCTV Children Channel prime time in 2014, along with more than 100 regional channels, attracting more than 226 million views.
On online video platforms, the first season of Bodhi and Friends accumulated more than 100 million views on online video platforms.
The series has been licensed by children’s publishing company Scholastic for book development, and a collaboration with education technology company Skoolbo has led to an interactive literacy program.
B.Duck was launched in 2005 by Hong Kong design company SEMK Products, the first product being a waterproof bathroom radio that became popular in Japan and Europe. There have since been B.Duck products ranging from home furniture, toilet amenities and cooking utensils to stationery, electronic items and festive gifts.