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THE AUTHENTIC PLATFORM
Welcome to Authentic A new chapter is beginning for Care Bears . As the brand approaches its 45th anniversary, it joins a platform “The Care Bears mean something different to built to accelerate iconic IP everyone who grew up with through content, experiences them, and to those discovering them for the and global commerce. first time. Our job is to protect what people already Authentic Brands Group love about these characters while giving them new is a global brand and ways to feel it all over again. We couldn’t be more excited to do that as part of the Authentic team, with entertainment platform the platform and opportunity we now have in that owns, invests in and front of us.” accelerates iconic intellectual property and cultural assets. Simon Philips, EVP Character TM
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uthentic grows its brands by building ecosystems around them, bringing together best-in-class partners with expertise across design, manufacturing and distribution to expand each brand into new categories, channels and markets. Its specialised businesses then amplify these brands through powerful storytelling, premium content and experiences, helping them evolve with culture while staying true to what makes them distinctive. Care Bears is Authentic’s first character-driven entertainment IP, adding a new growth engine to its platform. Welcome to Authentic, Care Bears. We can’t wait for what’s next.
Brands at Authentic
Authentic by the numbers “We are thrilled to officially welcome Care Bears to Authentic, and to have a strong team in place that knows how to turn great characters and stories into lasting brands. Care Bears brings more than four decades of emotional connection, global recognition and an incredibly rich universe. We have the people, the platform and the opportunity to build on that foundation and take Care Bears into its next era.” Corey Salter, CEO Entertainment at Authentic
50+ brands
1,700+
partner network
150+ countries
980M+
social media followers
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45 YEARS OF CARE BEARS
TM
An Enduring Legacy of Sharing and Caring For over four decades, Care Bears™ has remained a constant, even as trends, entertainment categories and consumer habits have transformed beyond recognition. As Care Bears heads towards its 45th anniversary, we’re looking back at how the brand got here. 1982
Care Bears Debuts The brand launches with 10 original characters, quickly expanding across cards, toys, TV and film, with tens of millions sold.
1990
2015
New Original Content Netflix Original series Care Bears & Cousins launches in 21 languages and 170+ territories.
Care Bears Goes Global Hasbro is named master toy partner for Care Bears, with toys launching worldwide. The Care Bears air on Disney Channel.
A Brand-New Look Care Bears: Unlock the Magic premieres on HBO Max, followed by a new toy line in partnership with Basic Fun!
2019
45th Anniversary Care Bears will celebrate 45 years with new friends, new categories, new content and new experiences.
2027
2026
Care Bears’ Biggest Year Yet! Care Bears reaches $10B in retail sales with 580+ best-in-class licensees in more than 120 countries.
Thank you to our friends, licensees and partners who support us along the way. Here’s to our next chapter!
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CARE BEAR COUSINS
Welcoming Friends Old and New The return of the Care Bear Cousins marks one of the most significant additions to the Care Bears™ universe in more than a decade. Fan favourites such as Brave Heart Lion, Loyal Heart Dog and Cozy Heart Penguin return alongside brand-new Cousins, expanding the Forest of Feelings with fresh storytelling and opportunities.
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oining the reunion, each new Cousin brings a distinct personality, belly badge and story to tell, ready to find their Beary Bestie among the classic Care Bears in the chapters ahead. At the heart of the relaunch are the relationships that have always defined the brand. Brave Heart Lion reunites with Funshine Bear, Bright Heart Raccoon pairs with Grumpy Bear, and Loyal Heart Dog stands alongside Cheer Bear. The timing reflects renewed interest in the characters themselves. Conversation around the Cousins has grown steadily over the past year, while expressive, personality-led animal characters continue to
perform strongly across collectables, plush and lifestyle categories. To meet different audiences, the relaunch will be supported by two creative directions: a Classic ’80s Revival aimed at collectors and nostalgic fans, and a Modern Refresh designed for children discovering the brand for the first time. Product plans are already taking shape, with a Home of the Care Bear Cousins plush collection and a limited-edition Brave Heart Lion and Funshine Bear plush pairing, with additional launches throughout the year. For licensing partners, the refreshed Cousins bring new personalities, relationships and stories to explore across categories, creating fresh opportunities within a world audiences already know and love.
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HOW DO YOU CELEBRATE?
A Q&A with the Beary Besties! right Heart Raccoon: “I am a super B planner, so I spread care by offering bright solutions to problems before anyone has time to worry!”
With the 45th anniversary of Care Bears™ coming up, we took the rainbow path to CareA-Lot and the Forest of Feelings to ask three reunited Beary Bestie pairings how they’re celebrating.
What are you most excited for in this next chapter? C heer Bear: “I’m ready to hype up every new addition to our growing caring crew. New friends deserve a proper welcome!” oyal Heart Dog: “I’m looking L forward to new adventures, friends, and care! Once someone’s part of our family, I’ve got their back. It’s as simple as that.”
If you could throw one party in Care-A-Lot, what would it look like? Funshine Bear: “A party where I’m on the decks, DJing, playing the music that brings the FUN! That’s what I love the most.”
Three pairings, six personalities and plenty of ways to celebrate – all brought together by caring, sharing and bringing friends together!
rave Heart Lion: “If I’m hosting a B party, I take care that no one feels too nervous to join in. I want everyone to enjoy themselves.”
What’s your favourite way to spread care? Grumpy Bear: “I’m not known for making big gestures. I prefer a more subtle yet intentional method in how I care. You might not always notice it, but it’s there!”
BIO With a brain like a super-computer, Bright Heart Raccoon is the smartest of the Care Bear Cousins. This lovable raccoon always wears a bright smile, too. His heart-shaped light bulb belly badge reflects Bright Heart Raccoon’s happy ways and his love of learning. MOTTO The Future is Bright!
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CARE BEARS LOCATION-BASED ENTERTAINMENT TM
Bringing CareA-Lot to Life From cafés and pop-ups to theme parks and live shows, Care Bears™ has developed one of the most active location-based entertainment programmes of any lifestyle brand, spanning North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.
Above: Funshine Bear and Cheer Bear at Drayton Manor UK. Right: Care Bears Play Area at Simon Malls, Austin, Texas.
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ne of the year’s standout moments came at Drayton Manor, the UK’s Best Value Theme Park, where Care Bears made its first-ever appearance for the 2026 Easter holidays. The event brought character meet-andgreets with Cheer Bear and Funshine Bear, a Share Your Care Pledge Wall and Colours of Caring painting sessions on an on-site Care Bears mural – all timed to the park’s full seasonal reopening. The activation sits within a much wider global LBE programme. Recent and upcoming activations span the US, UK, Portugal and France, alongside strong footholds in South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Brazil and the Middle East. Highlights include
Care Bears-themed cafés in Thailand, pop-up experiences at Marina Square in Singapore and Maritime Square in Hong Kong, a stadium collaboration with Taiwan’s Rakuten Monkeys, the first-ever Care Bears play area in the US at Simon Malls’ Barton Creek Square in Austin, Texas and the Care Bears Forever artist exhibition, which has travelled from LA to London’s Southbank. Care Bears’ multi-generational appeal, recognisable visual identity and optimistic storytelling translate naturally into immersive experiences. The brand’s versatility also creates significant opportunities across themed dining, retail experiences, family entertainment centres, attractions and hospitality. As operators continue to look for recognisable family brands that translate into memorable experiences, Care Bears has established a growing presence across attractions, themed retail and live entertainment.
Above: Care Bears take over Marina Square in Singapore.
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CARE-A-LOT CLUBHOUSE
Where Game Day Meets Care-A-Lot Sports fandom is having a defining cultural moment, and Care Bears™ has found its way into the stands. Through the Care-A-Lot Clubhouse initiative, the brand is bringing its colourful world into stadiums and arenas, connecting with families, sports fans and local communities in entirely new settings.
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he programme builds on the brand’s first ventures into sport during 2025, including a stadium takeover with Taiwan’s Rakuten Monkeys and a merchandise collaboration with Japan’s Tokyo Giants. Since April 2026, that momentum has continued across North America through partnerships developed with Bay Laurel Advisors and BDA Sports.
Above: Care Bears Night with the Houston Astros.
through a mix of themed ticket packages, plush giveaways, character appearances and in-game moments, bringing Care Bears directly into the live sports experience. Several sporting activations have put caring into action. During the Connecticut Sun’s Pride Night, 500 Care Bears plush were distributed, and 50 tickets were donated to Education Equity for Queer Children. Camp Day extended that community focus with ticket donations to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Waterbury alongside family-focused entertainment inside the arena.
Above: Care
This year’s calendar Bears Night spans Major League with the Seattle Baseball, including Mariners. Right: Care the Houston Astros, Bears Day with Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland Guardians the Cleveland Guardians. and Seattle Mariners, and the National Hockey League with the Nashville Predators. The Women’s National Basketball Association partnered with the brand through the Connecticut Sun and Minnesota Lynx. Events combine entertainment with retail
The appeal is straightforward. Live sport remains one of the few places where multiple generations regularly come together, creating opportunities for brands to meet audiences beyond traditional retail. Care-ALot Clubhouse places the brand at the heart of shared experiences that families already love.
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THE TOY AISLE TAKEOVER
Care Bears Newest Toy Line-up
TM
Care Bears™ toy business shows no signs of slowing as it heads into its 45th year, expanding into new formats. A fresh wave of launches in the second half of 2026 spans collectables, plush and blind boxes, bringing together partners speaking to a different corner of the fanbase.
Above: Care Bears by Simba.
GOLIATH brings Care Bears into its Clickeez collectable line this autumn, a keyboardinspired format built around the idea of ‘click, connect, and collect’. More than 30 characters will be available across formats in the UK ahead of a rollout across the US, France and Benelux.
Above: POP MART CRYBABY Care Bears.
SIMBA, Care Bears’ longstanding plush partner, is growing its offering further with planned future extensions, including a Baby line.
JUST PLAY introduces Care Bears to its Happy Haul unboxing format, built around the reveal moment. This format activates the “awww!”, and launches in October at major retailers including Walmart and Target, with a second wave following in spring/ summer 2027. BASIC FUN! continues to expand in 2026, with Sweet Blooms and Cutie Companions launches.
Above: Care Bears Clickeez by Goliath.
ZURU takes a different approach with HugA-Lumps, a super-soft plush line designed around warmth and comfort, launching globally in December. It’s a natural extension of Care Bears’ plush strength, reimagined through ZURU’s collectable sensibility.
POP MART launches its CRYBABY Care Bears Series, tapping into the blind-box trend with Vinyl Plush Pendant, Long Lanyard and Bracelet Blind Boxes.
Above: Care Bears Happy Haul from Just Play.
Additionally, the MINISO partnership continues to gain momentum. Taken together, these launches reflect a toy strategy built on variety: fidget-and-collect for younger fans, plush for the nostalgic and the very young, and blind boxes for the format’s growing built-in audience. With new Care Bear Cousins characters on the horizon for 2027, this wave sets the stage for even more product opportunity.
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CARE BEARS IN PRINT TM
A New Chapter for Care Bears TM
Publishing has emerged as one of the most powerful platforms for Care Bears™ when it comes to deepening fan connection, with 2026 marking a major global expansion across children’s, gifting, lifestyle, craft and collector-led formats.
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n the US and UK, HarperCollins has been appointed as global English-language children’s publisher (excluding ANZ), launching its first Care Bears titles this year: a Colours of Caring Colouring Book and Where Are The Care Bears?: A Search & Find Book, published by HarperPop in the US and Farshore in the UK. Looking ahead to the brand’s milestone year, HarperPop will also publish a History of the Care Bears to coincide with the 45th anniversary in 2027.
Above: HarperCollins.
Craft and lifestyle are growing too, with Search Press, a leading UK-based arts and crafts publisher, launching its first Care Bears title in 2027 with Care Bears Granny Squares, opening the door to further bespoke craft formats.
Internationally, the publishing footprint continues to grow through local-language partners: Hachette as a French-language The programme extends further publisher, Schwager & Steinlein Below: Running Press across formats and territories. Verlag (VEMAG Publishing) (Hachette Book Group). Running Press (Hachette developing children’s activity Book Group) enters milestone books in Germany, and Carlsen and gifting publishing with launching storybooks in the Care Bears Baby Book: My same market. Dressler Dublin is First Three Years, alongside publishing its first Care Bears titles an Official Character Guide. in Poland, while a new publishing Penguin Random House UK partner, Giovas, has been signed is tapping into mindfulness for Greece. Beyond traditional with a Care Bears colouring books, the brand is also expanding book aimed at teens and into magazines, sticker collections, kidults, and The Little Book trading cards, comics and partworks of Friendship. Scholastic through new partnerships with Australia has secured ANZ Luppa Solutions (LATAM and publishing rights, with an Europe, launching early 2027), already hugely successful Kennedy Publishing, Panini and and growing front list, while Egmont. Scholastic US brings The breadth of the programme Care Bears into school book deepens fan engagement by fairs and clubs, creating hightranslating Care Bears’ core values visibility discovery moments in an age-appropriate way for every for children and families. reader – from a toddler’s first board Right: Penguin Random House UK. book to a collector’s keepsake.
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FASHION COLLABORATIONS
Caring Never Goes Out of Style
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Fashion has become one of the fastest-growing categories for Care Bears this year, with a new wave of collaborations pushing the brand further into fashion and lifestyle for adults as well as kids. From highstreet apparel and premium collaborations to footwear and outerwear, Care Bears is increasingly showing up as a style brand in its own right.
cross the UK and Europe, Zara and Pull&Bear continue to anchor Care Bears’ fashion-forward retail presence, rounding out a mix built to reach different corners of the market. Primark introduces a new Care Bears kids’ apparel collection this October, brought to life through licensees Blues and Aykroyds and backed by dedicated influencer support – a strong high-street entry point for a brand whose softlines business continues to broaden across age groups.
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outerwear brand Flotte developed a 26SKU Care Bears collection, supported by a dedicated store takeover that transformed the space into an immersive Care Bears retail experience.
LPP Group continues to carry the brand through Sinsay and Also in France, Le Bon Marché Reserved, while Character. is offering an exclusive Hello Kitty Above: adidas com adds Care Bears to its Originals Care Bears. and Friends x Care Bears collection, own licensed softlines offering. produced by Sahinler as part of the Across the UK, Care Bears continues to ‘Jusqu’ici tout va bien’ range. Built around build its mass-market fashion presence, friendship, cuteness and everyday positivity, with George at Asda, Matalan, Sainsbury’s, the collaboration brings together two Morrisons and Very all carrying the brand iconic character worlds within a premium across a broad range of softlines. fashion environment.
Above: Pull&Bear Care Bears.
Major lifestyle partnerships are taking Care Bears further into fashion. adidas Originals and Skechers bring Care Bears into globally recognised footwear, alongside a Leomil collection in 2027. In France,
Together, these partnerships demonstrate the breadth of Care Bears’ growing fashion business. From accessible family retail to premium collaborations, footwear and lifestyle collections, the brand is building a presence that turns Care Bears into something fans can wear, live in and make part of their Above: Flotte Care Bears™ Football Jersey. everyday style.
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CARE BEARS CHARMS TM
Care Bears Clips into Fashion TM
From designer handbags to everyday backpacks, bag charms have become one of fashion’s must-have accessories – and Care Bears™ is leaning fully into the trend, expanding its collectable bag charm line-up.
Left and below: Basic Fun!’s Caring Cuties and Sugar Cuties Collections.
and Care Bears’ own decades-long identity as a brand built around distinct, nameable feelings. Cheer Bear’s optimism, Funshine Bear’s positivity, Grumpy Bear’s authenticity and Share Bear’s generosity translate naturally into a format designed for personal expression and display.
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he category has grown quickly. Basic Fun!’s Caring Cuties collection features six fan-favourite Bears as blind-box plush charms designed for bags, belts and water bottles, while its sweeter Sugar Cuties line offers a softer take on the same format. ZURU’s Sad Baby Care Bears reimagine the classic characters through a viral, teary-eyed aesthetic, including Cheer Bear, Funshine Bear, Good Luck Bear, Grumpy Bear, Share Bear and Wish Bear, alongside a rare 1-in-128 Togetherness Bear chase figure. Joining the line-up are Basic Fun!’s Sweet Blooms and Cutie Companions, followed by Happy Haul from Just Play in October.
The trend spans generations in a way that mirrors the brand itself. Gen Z fans are building statement bag stacks inspired by Y2K fashion, Millennials are adding nostalgic touches to everyday looks, and parents are introducing a brand they grew up with to a new generation of collectors. Across every audience, the format turns an everyday accessory into something personal, while tapping into the same collect-and-display culture that has driven the wider blind-box category.
The appeal lies in the overlap between two cultural moments: the rise of the dopamine dressing trend, where consumers reach for colourful, expressive accessories, Below: ZURU’s Sad Baby Care Bears.
As Care Bears builds toward 45 years of sharing and caring, the bag charm expansion is yet another clear example of how the brand continues to evolve alongside culture without losing its core message – proving, once again, that caring never goes out of style.
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