Hello Kitty® Hits 10 million "Likes" on Facebook

TORRANCE, Calif., Sept. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Hello Kitty's devoted fans have helped the iconic brand achieve 10 million "likes" on Facebook, a milestone reached by an elite few lifestyle brands. Hello Kitty launched her Facebook page in 2009. Sanrio^® Inc. (www.sanrio.com) is the parent company of pop icon Hello Kitty.

Alongside Adidas, Burberry, Converse, Lacoste, Levi's and Nike Football, Hello Kitty has hit the exclusive 10 million Facebook mark.  Social media is part of the brand's strategy to continue the word of mouth success upon which Sanrio was built. As the brand forgoes traditional multichannel, advertising-supported campaigns to drive awareness, Hello Kitty hit her 10 million "like" achievement due to the unsolicited loyalty she garners from committed fans around the world. Hello Kitty did not have to ask her fans to "like" her - they just did.

A brand synonymous with the notion that sharing, communication and friendship bring happiness to people of all ages, Hello Kitty's demographic profile backs up her philosophy; with 88% awareness among girls ages 6-11 and 87% for females age 18-35, Hello Kitty remains a flagship lifestyle brand for parent company Sanrio and one of the world's most high-impact global lifestyle brands.  Highlights of Hello Kitty's Facebook presence include:

• 93% of Hello Kitty's Facebook 'likes' are females
• 18,350 people 'like' Hello Kitty every day
• Each Hello Kitty post gets an average of 22,900 likes, 2,400 shares, and 1,342 comments

The Facebook milestone reinforces Hello Kitty's enduring popularity as an evergreen, always-evolving lifestyle brand. From the moment she appeared on the pop culture radar almost 40 years ago to her current status as a social network star, Hello Kitty remains one of the most unique and identifiable brands of all time.

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.

SOURCE Sanrio