GUMBY IS HERE!
Sony has licensed the rights to Gumby for the territory of Japan. The launch was held in September 2000.
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The Four Amigos
Me, Art Clokey, Gumby and Patrick Lauerman at the Sony launch. |
The inspiration for bringing Gumby to Japan came to me when I visited Osaka in late 1996. In a toy shop window I saw a glowing neon Gumby staring down at me, almost like he was beckoning. But I was baffled when I did not see him in other shops. Everywhere I saw Snoopy and Mickey Mouse, two popular American cultural imports - but no Gumby. "Where was he!?" I asked myself. He was in this one shop window but almost nowhere else. Like a bolt of lighting, the idea hit me "Bring Gumby to Japan! I determined right then and there that I would do just that!
I called Art Clokey, the creator of Gumby and a friend from my days as an animator on the TV series, and offered to be his agent in the Far East - and he agreed. I then set out to find the best company to license the rights to Gumby for Japan. After many months of searching, slogging up and down the rain soaked streets of Tokyo, I found Sony Creative Products to license and represent Gumby. SCP is one of the top character licensing companies in Japan. With Sony's marketing genius and Gumby's entertainment magic its a perfect match. And one that will succeed in bringing this wonderful claymation character to the people of Japan.
To see more about Gumby and Sony please visit their web site:
And in the U.S.
Click below for news on Gumby in Japan
NEXT!