Authentic Brands signed a definitive agreement to acquire the intellectual property (IP) of Care Bears.
With the acquisition, Authentic will expand its presence in family entertainment and character IP.
Originally introduced in the early 1980s as a greeting card concept, Care Bears has evolved into a global entertainment franchise generating more than $12 billion in lifetime retail sales.
The brand includes more than 100 bears, each representing distinct emo on or expression, including Cheer Bear, Funshine Bear and Grumpy Bear. It reaches consumers in more than 190 countries, appears in 26 languages and is distributed across leading pla orms worldwide, with a growing slate including short-form content, gaming, live experiences and film.
“Care Bears is the gold standard of family entertainment,” said Corey Salter, CEO of Authentic’s Entertainment division. “It arrives with a nearly 45-year history of genuine emotional connection, an active content pipeline, a vast network of more than 500 licensing partners and a devoted fanbase that keeps growing. Our opportunity is not simply to steward the brand and its message 1 of positivity; it’s to bring Care Bears into Authentic’s powerful platform and write the next great chapter in one of entertainment’s most enduring franchises.”
Authentic Studios and Authentic Live, divisions of Authentic Brands Group, will play central roles in extending the Care Bears universe through new stories, audiences and fan experiences.
Since launching in 2023, Authentic Studios has introduced new ways for audiences to engage with Authentic’s IP property through original content and experiences, including Beckham, Shaq’s Dunkman League and Elvis Presley.
Authentic Live connects brands with the world’s most influential moments in sports, culture and entertainment through more than 60 annual events, spanning large-scale ticketed experiences, exclusive VIP gatherings and industry leading thought leadership programming. The acquisition remains subject to customary closing condi ons and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.