Piranha Studios to develop Marvel Character Branded Products Under Its Innovative Bearz, Inc. Banner

Leading (North East) creative design company, Piranha Studios has entered into a licensing agreement with one of the world's most prominent character based entertainment companies - Marvel Entertainment Inc.

Pursuant to the agreement, Piranha Studios will launch a brand new product line, Marvel Bearz Inc, as part of its innovative Bearz Inc. collection.

Designed and devised by the creative team at Piranha Studios and consisting of simple vinyl plastic, Bearz Inc, has evolved the teddy bear extensively from the fluff of its furry ancestors. In recent months the underground vinyl movement has progressed to become accessible to a mainstream market and Piranha Studios saw this as an opportunity for Bearz Inc to lead the way and to provide a fun and accessible product.

The Marvel Bearz Inc. line will be emblazoned with stylish designs of which Marvel characters will boast the flagship range. Selected designs from Marvel's library of 5,000 characters will be incorporated into the cutting edge product - characters such as Spider-Man, The Hulk, Wolverine, Captain America and The Punisher will appear in the Marvel Bearz Inc range.

Sue Kell, sales and marketing director at Piranha Studios, said: "In a modern age where almost everything is 'designer', it seemed only fit that the humble teddy bear required a well overdue facelift.

"When we first met with Marvel Entertainment Intl. we were convinced that Marvel characters perfectly matched the market that we are focusing on with our Bearz Inc. product lines. There was an instant rapport and in my opinion, there couldn't be a more appropriate license for the product."

"By teaming up with Marvel, we have produced a stylish and funky product which we are confident will provide further worldwide leverage for Marvel’s characters and the Bearz Inc product."

Matthew Primack, Vice President at Marvel Entertainment International Ltd, said, "The Marvel Bearz are a fun, collectible interpretation of the Marvel Characters and we are excited to work with Piranha to push creative boundaries. Marvel has always been an inspirational, innovative design house and applying our instantly recognisable characters to a simple bear allows our fans to enjoy a new application."

ForbiddenPlanet.com will have these available in October 2006.