Hallmark Bumps Up the Fun with Licensed Text Bands

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Nov. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Hallmark adds a new twist to its Text Bands line with licensed style bands featuring characters, shows and singers kids love. Participating Hallmark Gold Crown stores now offer a Cody Simpson style band, plus one featuring the hit Disney show "Shake It Up!"

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hallmark-bumps-up-the-fun-with-licensed-text-bands-180909631.html

With the new style bands, fans of Cody Simpson and "Shake It Up!" can bump up the fun with  Hallmark Text Bands, which allow kids to trade messages by bumping fists or shaking hands. Interchangeable style bands give kids an opportunity to showcase their style by changing their band to match their outfits, moods or interests of the day. "Shake It Up!" star Bella Thorne recently gave Hallmark Text Bands as party favors to guests who attended her Quinceanera, including co-stars Zendaya Coleman and Caroline Sunshine.

"My friends who came to my birthday party love their Hallmark Text Bands," said Bella Thorne, "Shake It Up!" actress. "I'm excited Hallmark created "Shake It Up!" style bands, so all my fans can join in the Text Bands fun."

The new "Shake It Up!" and Cody Simpson designs join a collection of more than 10 style bands, which retail for $4.99 each. Australian teen singer and songwriter Cody Simpson, who currently is on tour with Justin Bieber, helped Hallmark introduce Text Bands this summer at Hallmark Text Bands launch parties. The style band he inspired includes his logo in bright colors and is the first of many Hallmark Cody Simpson products to be available in Hallmark Gold Crown stores. Hallmark recently announced a Hallmark Cody Simpson greeting card line, which will be available the beginning of 2013.    

"It's cool that Hallmark made a Text Band just for my fans," said Cody Simpson. "I'd love to see all of my angels rocking the band at my concerts."

"By adding licensed products, like Cody Simpson and "Shake It Up!", to our growing style band collection, we're able to give kids a chance to not only connect with friends in a new way, but to celebrate a show, character or musician they admire," said Dan Woodall, Hallmark Product Manager. "Text Bands and the new style bands make great birthday or upcoming holiday gifts for Cody Simpson and "Shake It Up!" fans."

To check out the full collection of style bands, watch Text Bands in action and view Text Bands celebrity videos and photos, visit www.textbands.com.

About Hallmark Cards, Inc.
Hallmark makes the world a more caring place by helping people express what's in their hearts and spend time together — a privilege few other companies in the world enjoy. Hallmark greeting cards and other products are found in more than 38,000 retail outlets in the United States, including the network of flagship Hallmark Gold Crown^® stores. The brand also reaches people online at Hallmark.com and on television through Hallmark Hall of Fame original movies and cable's top-rated Hallmark Channel. Worldwide, Hallmark offers products in more than 30 languages available in 100 countries. This privately held company is based in Kansas City, Mo., and is led by the third generation of the founding Hall family. Visit http://corporate.hallmark.com for more details.

About Cody Simpson
With over 3.6 million Twitter followers, over 3.4 million Facebook likes and more than 150 million YouTube views, 15-year-old pop star Cody Simpson is already a teen phenomenon. Simpson, who is currently on tour supporting Justin Bieber on Bieber's "Believe Tour," marked the recent release of his debut album "Paradise" with a pair of sold-out concerts at Los Angeles' Staples Center. This has been a banner year for Cody, having kicked things off with his own sold out "Welcome To Paradise Tour" and being named "Favorite Aussie Superstar" at the 2012 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards. Simpson was also among the top stars invited to participate in the 134^th annual White House Easter Egg Roll, and kept busy leading up to the release of "Paradise" by joining Big Time Rush on the massive "Big Time Summer Tour" and releasing a new interactive film, "Finding Cody," via Warner Music Group's original YouTube channel, "The Warner Sound." For more information on Cody Simpson, please visit www.codysimpson.com. For more information on Cody Simpson licensing opportunities, please contact Sara Nemerov, SVP and Head of Global Consumer Products & Brand Licensing at [email protected].

About Disney Consumer Products
Disney Consumer Products (DCP), the world's largest licensor, is the business segment of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) and its affiliates that extends the Disney and Marvel brands to merchandise ranging from apparel, toys, home decor and books to food and beverages, stationery, electronics and fine art. DCP develops Disney entertainment franchises into 365 day-a-year product opportunities at retailers worldwide. DCP is comprised of three businesses: Licensing, Publishing and Disney Store. The Licensing business is aligned around six strategic brand priorities: Disney Classic Characters & Disney Moms and Babies, Disney Media Networks & Games, Disney & Pixar Animation Studios, Disney Princess & Disney Fairies, Disney Live Action Film, and Marvel.

Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) is the world's largest publisher of children's books, magazines, and digital products. Disney English is DPW's English language learning business, which includes over 35 Disney English learning centers across China and a supplemental learning book program. DPW's growing library of digital products includes best-selling eBook titles and original apps. The Disney Store retail chain operates across North America, Europe, and Japan with more than 350 stores worldwide. Disney Store carries high-quality products, including exclusive merchandise tied to key Disney and Marvel entertainment offerings. www.DisneyStore.com and www.DisneyStore.co.uk are Disney's official online shopping portals. For more information, please visit Disney Consumer Products or follow us at  www.YouTube.com/DisneyLiving, www.Facebook.com/DisneyLiving and www.Twitter.com/DisneyLiving.

Related Links
Hallmark Text Bands 
Hallmark Cards, Inc.

SOURCE Hallmark Cards, Inc.