American Greetings Properties has signed MindWorks Entertainment as the exclusive Japanese licensing agent for its quarter-century-old Care Bears property, while Wild Pumpkin, in conjunction with Hardy Marketing Solutions, has been named as the CB’s new Australian rep.

Making their Japanese debut, MindWorks and AGP will launch the Care Bears at specialty and trendsetting retailers, taking the high-end collectibles, fashion apparel, accessories and stationery merchandising route. Currently, Japanese retailers lined up for the property include Village Vanguard, Sony Plaza and Kiddyland.

Down under, meanwhile, 25th anniversary celebrations will coincide with the November launch of The Care Bears CGI feature Oopsy Does It. Hardy, Wild Pumpkin and AGP have managed to get several large Aussie retailers involved in the festivities. Upscale Myer will host a Care Bears boutique in its flagship Melbourne store, K-Mart is running a gift-with-Care Bears-purchase program, Target will feature exclusive CB beanies plush, and both Target and TRU will host in-store character appearances.