CPLG connects with Line Friends to represent its global character brands across EMEA

Animation & Characters Events

LINE FRIENDS, one of the world’s fastest growing global character brands, has appointed CPLG as licensing agent across EMEA for its global character brand, BROWN & FRIENDS.

BROWN & FRIENDS, including BROWN, CONY and SALLY, were originally created for use as stickers for leading mobile messenger application, LINE, and its 200 million active worldwide users. The characters have been widely loved since first showcased in 2011 and have played a pivotal role in LINE FRIENDS’ rapid growth and success around the globe.

With the characters’ global popularity, BROWN & FRIENDS has collaborated with a number of renowned brands including LAMY, Brompton and L’Occitane.

CPLG intends to develop a licensing programme for BROWN & FRIENDS targeting tweens, teens and young adults, with a focus on fashion, accessories, gifting and stationery.

Steve Manners, EVP, CPLG, commented: “We have been following LINE FRIENDS for a number of years and are thrilled to be working with the brand. Their iconic characters appeal to a wide audience, transcending language, age and culture, which gives us enormous opportunity to develop long-term licensing programmes. We are already seeing demand for these characters at retail and are excited to showcase them to the industry at Brand Licensing Europe next week.”

“LINE FRIENDS has always been dedicated to quality and bringing impressive experience for our fans globally. We believe CPLG can help to present these values to the fans in EMEA and very much look forward to working with the CPLG team” said an official at LINE FRIENDS.

LINE FRIENDS also operates its own store network, with 113 stores globally in a total of 11 markets worldwide, including Seoul, New York, Tokyo, and Shanghai. LINE FRIENDS has also expanded its portfolio to feature a wide range of character products, animations and mobile games, along with cafés, hotels and theme parks around the world.