Hello Kitty® Goes to Washington!

TORRANCE, Calif., Oct. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- This election season Hello Kitty wants red, white and YOU! Join the Friendship Party and vote Hello Kitty for President!

Hello Kitty is throwing her bow into the ring for President of the United States, adding a playful punch to the busy election season. And with her recent celebration of 10 million Facebook fans, she's energized and ready to run! So if you're squarely in the 'undecided' column - or simply a huge fan - Hello Kitty could be just the candidate for you!

"Hello Kitty has embodied positivity for almost 40 years and inspires millions of fans worldwide," says Jill Koch, Senior Vice President of Brand Management and Marketing, Sanrio, Inc.  "This campaign is a celebration of what she represents: friendship, fun and happiness."

Beginning mid-October and true to Sanrio's, 'small gift, big smile', philosophy, Hello Kitty's Friendship Party street teams and door-to-door canvassers will give away free Hello Kitty for President campaign bumper stickers, buttons, and yard signs throughout Washington, DC.  Hello Kitty will also make appearances leading up to election week, culminating in a Sanrio-style celebratory event before the election votes are tallied.

Starting November 1, Hello Kitty for President's Campaign Headquarters will pop-up for a week-long residence at LivingSocial's 918 F Street in Washington, DC.  918 F Street is a historic venue located in the heart of the nation's capital.  The multi-floored space will host curated activities and events, an art show, and many more surprises. The pop-up campaign shop will offer limited edition Hello Kitty for President collectible products including t-shirts, campaign kits, plush, a tote bag and red, white and blue headband bows.

In addition, Sanrio and Hello Kitty will partner with 826DC, the Washington DC chapter of the 826 National network of nonprofit creative writing centers, to promote awareness, develop programming with students, and foster 826's mission of educating students ages 6-18 in creative & expository writing skills.  To find out more about 826DC, visit http://www.826dc.org/.

Every candidate needs a running mate and Hello Kitty is no different.  Fans from around the world will be invited to vote for her Vice President on Facebook - choosing from Sanrio friends including Tuxedosam®, My Melody®, Badtz-Maru®, Keroppi®, and Chococat®.  Hello Kitty's Facebook friends can also share free digital and printable campaign goodies with the Hello Kitty for President Facebook Gifts app.  Campaign coverage, free campaign gifts with purchase and select limited edition products will be available exclusively online at Sanrio.com.  Sanrio stores will offer free campaign buttons during the weekend of October 19^th.

So join the party!  Hello Kitty for President is the only election campaign where everybody can come together and vote for friendship, fun and happiness!  For more information, please visit www.sanrio.com/HelloKitty2012, www.facebook.com/hellokitty, and follow the campaign trail using #HelloKitty2012 on Twitter, Instagram and at hellokittyforpresident.tumblr.com.

About Sanrio
Sanrio, best known for global icon Hello Kitty and home to many endearing characters including Chococat, My Melody, and Keroppi, is a worldwide lifestyle brand founded on the 'small gift, big smile'® philosophy -- that a small gift can bring happiness and friendship to people of all ages.  For over 50 years, this philosophy has served as the inspiration for the broad spectrum of unique Sanrio products and experiences.  Today, more than 50,000 Sanrio-branded items are available in over 70 countries and upwards of 12,000 U.S. locations including department, specialty, national chain stores and over 100 Sanrio boutiques.  For more information, please visit www.sanrio.com and www.facebook.com/hellokitty.

About 826DC
826DC, the newest chapter in 826 National network of nonprofit writing centers, is dedicated to supporting students ages 6-18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write.  Our services are structured around the understanding that great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success.  826DC provides after-school tutoring, field trips, in-school programming, help for English language learners, and student publishing opportunities all free of charge. To find out more about the 826DC, visit http://www.826dc.org/. 

SOURCE Sanrio, Inc.