LOS ANGELES, June 13, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The world's biggest lil' optimist started as a cute lil'panda with a big dream -- to bring a lil' something positive to the lives of tween girls around the world. And now lil'panda ™ is working to bring that dream to fruition.
A photo accompanying this release is available at .
The newest character fashion brand lil'panda debuted Summer 2010 and features the super-cute lil'panda who always expresses something a lil'positive. Spreading positive messages with its tagline "Happiness is contagious," lil'panda is ready to expand worldwide after its overwhelmingly successful introduction at over 40 specialty boutiques across the U.S., including Fred Segal, and a strong celebrity fan base for the brand.
"Lil'panda is an ambassador of happiness for today's girls," shared Stephen Gross, creator of lil'panda and owner of Lil'panda Company. "With lil'panda's positive point of view, the brand is more than just a fashionable character product line -- it is an attitude -- a statement about who you are. Over the past years, we have seen fashions and designs for tweens echo a darker tone. It's time to get tweens to live on the sunny side of life!"
Lil'panda's current product line includes fashion tees, tanks and hoodies, stationery, and plush. While the current line is sourced directly by the Lil'panda Company, the company is now looking to licensing to fuel its growth in the U.S. and around the world and has appointed TK Brand Group to be the brand's worldwide licensing agent.
"Stephen and I worked together at Disney Consumer Products many years ago," stated Tamra Knepfer, President and CEO of TK Brand Group, LLC. "When he reached out to me and showed me lil'panda I immediately saw the huge potential in the brand. This is more than just a cute panda with fantastic, trend-right designs. Lil'panda is a fashion icon representing optimism that encourages tweens to have a positive view on life, reminding us to celebrate life and all the good things in it. This is a message that is so important and relevant to all of us, especially to today's girls."
The brand is beginning to explore potential licensing and marketing partnerships, with immediate plans to keep the brand at a high retail tier in order to continue to offer the highest-quality products while preserving the brand's special nature.
For licensing and marketing inquiries, contact TK Brand Group at info@tkbrandgroup.com.
For an interview with Stephen Gross, samples requests, or any other press inquiries, please contact
ABOUT STEPHEN GROSS
CREATOR OF LIL'PANDA™ and OWNER OF LIL'PANDA COMPANY
Award-winning artist Stephen Gross, designed lil'panda as a line of expressive and inspiring merchandise that encourages tweens with its fun, upbeat take on life. Stephen's experience includes over 25 years of a creative leader for several Fortune 500 companies, such as Disney, Mattel, and Estee Lauder, receiving awards and recognition in the areas of design or consumer products, retail and branding. Now, with the launch of lil'panda, Stephen can share his positive creativity directly with consumers. Visit lil'panda at
The lil'panda logo is available at .
ABOUT TK BRAND GROUP, LLC.
is a full-service licensing agency and brand marketing consultancy, offering licensing and brand management expertise for entertainment and character properties, digital media brands, corporate brands, and fashion, art and lifestyle programs. Some of the properties currently represented by TK Brand Group include, a super cute new character lifestyle brand that expresses an optimistic and upbeat take on life for tween girls; the popular toy collectible and online game; ™, a fun and fashionable brand by popular and hip designer Michelle Romo; Ugly Little Empire™and L.A. TUDE™both by the talented and witty Wendy L'Belle; ,the popular dark and delightful comic book property by Roman Dirge; and the whimsical art of Ellen Crimi-Trent including the preschool property Schoolies™. TK Brand Group also represents corporate brands, such as Tavistock Restaurant Group which includes a growing roster of restaurant chains including as Napa Valley Grille and Freeb!rds World Burrito. In addition to representing brand owners,TK Brand Group represents manufacturers for inbound licensing programs, including leading t-shirt company Logotel, Inc.TK Brand Group's consulting clientele includes Nokia and the preschool television network Sprout. Based in New York City, industry veteran Tamra Knepfer started TK Brand Group in 2010 after 20+ years of licensing, marketing, and brand management experience, having worked for such brand powerhouses as The Walt Disney Company, Sesame Workshop, American Greetings Properties, Rodale, Chorion Silver Lining, and Peanuts Worldwide. Learn more at .
The photo is also available at Newscom, , and via AP PhotoExpress.
CONTACT: TK BRAND GROUP Tamra Knepfer 917-514-0701 info@tkbrandgroup.com