Latest news with #BT21
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
LINE FRIENDS Partners with UK IP 'Ketnipz' to Accelerate Global IP Expansion
Global character brand LINE FRIENDS partners with social media sensation Ketnipz to expand its footprint in North America and Asia LINE FRIENDS (corporately known as IPX) has officially partnered with Ketnipz, the popular character-driven brand with over 10 million fans across social media platforms. This highly-anticipated collaboration aims to grow the Ketnipz IP on a global scale, leveraging LINE FRIENDS' storytelling expertise, global infrastructure and creative vision. The partnership will focus on expanding Ketnipz's presence in key markets such as North America and Asia through licensing opportunities, brand collaborations and original content development. LOS ANGELES, May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With a strong fanbase in Europe and the U.S., Ketnipz brings a unique cultural resonance that, combined with LINE FRIENDS' global reach, is expected to strengthen both brands' influence in the international IP landscape. LINE FRIENDS (corporately known as IPX) is proud to announce its partnership with Ketnipz, the UK-born character IP that has captured the hearts of over 10 million fans worldwide, through its unique illustrations, relatable story-telling and always-uplifting messages. The partnership grants rights for Ketnipz in South Korea and China, with plans to scale IP activities across various countries and regions, including North America. Ketnipz, created by Welsh artist Harry Hambley in 2016, has gained viral popularity primarily in Europe and North America through its genuine, relatable content, with themes of self-love and positivity. The brand began with just one character "Bean" but has since expanded its universe with additional characters such as 'Nana Bean', 'Catto' and 'Doggo'. Ketnipz holds a strong online presence through social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, with over 10 million global fans following. The brand has extended its IP global footprint through collaborations with major global companies like McDonald's, Instagram, Casetify and Samsung. LINE FRIENDS, with over a decade of expertise developing its globally loved original character IPs like LINE FRIENDS and BT21, is well positioned to partner with Ketnipz and expected to bring the unique identity of Ketnipz through Gen Z trends worldwide. The partnership will expand its business not only in Asia but in Europe and North America. LINE FRIENDS plans to leverage its IP business capabilities to expand Ketnipz's presence across Asia while solidifying its leadership in the global IP market. By utilizing its broad network of LINE FRIENDS flagship stores, partnerships with major global brands and diverse business models including licensing, collaborations and content development, LINE FRIENDS will be expanding Ketnipz's business in Asia and North America. LINE FRIENDS has previously led the successful expansion of South Korean IPs such as JOGUMAN, DINOTAENG and MONAMHEE, offering unique IP experiences to fans beyond the home country. The company expects partnering with Ketnipz will further strengthen its presence in the Western market. LINE FRIENDS representative stated, "Ketnipz IP has delivered joy and connection with their audience through its heartwarming messages and storytelling. As a leader in global IP business, we believe the company can bring great success with Ketnipz in Asia as well as global markets. Building on our successful global expansion with South Korean IPs, we expect to lead the UK-based IP Ketnipz into the Asian market and will continue to discover character IPs to bring new IP experiences for global fans." ABOUT LINE FRIENDS (corporately known as IPX) LINE FRIENDS is a global character brand that originally started from Original Characters including BROWN, CONY, SALLY created for use as stickers for the leading mobile messenger app, LINE, and its 200 million active users worldwide. LINE FRIENDS has been accelerating its strategy to expand its IP businesses by diversifying its IP portfolios targeting all ages and advancing its digital and retail business. With its diverse IP experiences, LINE FRIENDS is winning hearts of over 50 million Millennials and Generation Zs worldwide. IPX currently operates in 18 markets worldwide including Seoul, New York, LA, Tokyo, and Shanghai, and operates in 8 online sale platforms. For more information, please visit Media Contact:Emily FletcherPublic Haus Agencyemily@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE LINE FRIENDS
Forbes
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Universal CityWalk LINE FRIENDS SQUARE Opens With K-Pop Focus
Line Friends Square, Universal CityWalk Despite the dip in album sales globally, K-pop doesn't seem to be slowing down, especially when it comes to merchandising power within the fandom. Universal CityWalk Hollywood's LINE FRIENDS SQUARE, which opened this past weekend, was aware of the K-pop craze and heavily fitted their store with BTS' popular animated line, BT21, and Zerobaseone's Zeroni line. They also included NewJeans' Buninis, LINE FRIENDS original characters Brown Bear and Cony, and a few NBCUniversal properties, such as Felix the Cat, Casper the Friendly Ghost, Trolls, and Woody Woodpecker, for their COLLER line. With two other stores in the United States – New York City and Hollywood, Universal CityWalk becomes the third LINE FRIENDS SQUARE. Rebekah Lee, Senior Manager of E-Commerce & Marketing, says the company wanted to remain in the Los Angeles area, with opportunities for events, concerts, and showcases. 'Universal CityWalk Hollywood is such a great partner to work with in opening a new store in their mall,' says Lee. 'We thought we could start here and then hopefully expand to other locations in the future. Here is a destination for any character-related events or experiences. It's a great location to have friends, family, or anyone who may not even be into K-pop come visit the store and have a great experience altogether.' At their grand opening on Friday, K-pop fans lined up since 6 a.m. for a chance to obtain their favorite character merch, especially several exclusive BT21 items sold only at the Universal CityWalk store. Though BT21 heavily filled the store, it was the Zeroni line that garnered the most attention. Immediately following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, another group of fans in line waited in a separate line inside the store, specifically for Zeroni items. One Zerobaseone fan, who was second in line, was hoping to buy the consistently sold-out Zeroni plush keychains. '[Zerobaseone] is my favorite group,' says the fan. 'I like collecting all the characters. Today, I got all the last items I needed for my collection. I needed all nine members.' Line Friends Square, Universal CityWalk Many lined up early in hopes of securing free goodie bags, which were given to the first 30 guests, and the event continues next weekend (May 3 & 4). Every visitor is also eligible to participate in a 'lucky draw,' where everyone's a winner. Universal CityWalk is also offering those who purchase between April 25 and May 4 a chance to win one of two pairs of general admission tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood. BTS fans can also look forward to seeing their favorite BT21 mascots making daily appearances from 11 a.m. til 6 p.m. Jay Ahn, Vice President of LINE FRIENDS America, says K-pop was the biggest draw for Universal, telling us that the NBC Universal team reached out to them for their K-pop characters. 'Of course, we love our original characters like Brown Bear, but K-pop IPs draw the most fans,' says Ahn. 'If we have a bigger space, we would definitely bring more original IP as well. We are targeting to open one in Orlando, which will have more space for our original characters and K-pop line.' Ahn says the opportunities of having the store in CityWalk are endless, as they hope to bring some performances on the main stage and large-scale events. He hinted at looking forward to even more collaborations with popular K-pop stars in the future. NBC Universal owns and shares the rights to many intellectual properties, including Minions, The Secret Life of Pets, Felix the Cat, Jurassic Park, Back to the Future, Jaws, Super Mario Bros., Harry Potter, and more. Universal Studios Hollywood heavily showcases these with themed sections, rides, food, and merchandise. With events like Universal Fan Fest, which have brought other IPs into the park, such as One Piece and Star Trek, fans may one day see Brown Bear or BT21's Chimmy walking around the theme park. Lee hopes one day it can happen. 'That's a hope and goal that it would be part of that experience,' she says. 'Of course, IP is very strict on how that works. If LINE FRIENDS are able to be part of the theme park inside, that would be a great opportunity, and it would be really fun and exciting for everyone.'
