Year launched: 1974
Original media: Cartoon character
Media today: Clothing, jewelry, high-end products, purses, comics, video games, animated series, movies, toys, consumer products
Total estimated revenue: $86 billion
Bottom line: Hello Kitty doesn’t have a mouth, but if she did, she would be smiling. The tiny little cartoon cat makes major money with branding.
Anything can have a Hello Kitty on it if the price is right — snowboards, skateboards, skates, diamond necklaces, condoms, private jets, guitars, blankets, backpacks, earbud cases, shoes, pajamas, bags, mirrors, strollers. You get the idea.
If you can brand it, there’s always room for a Hello Kitty edition.
