Authentic Brands Group has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the intellectual property of Care Bear, the adorable resident of Care-A-Lot, the merchandising and retail giant that has become a beloved children’s property. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Care Bears were originally introduced as a greeting card concept in the early 1980s and have since evolved into a worldwide entertainment series of plush toys, animated shows, movies, and games. Lifetime retail sales have exceeded $12 billion. The brand includes more than 100 bears, including Cheer Bear, Bedtime Bear, Tenderheart Bear, Birthday Bear, Funshine Bear and Grumpy Bear, each representing a different emotion or expression, represented by a badge on its belly.
The sale expands Authentic’s scope into family entertainment and marks the company’s first character-based franchise. Authentic is the owner of a portfolio of intellectual property including Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali, and Marilyn Monroe. In 2023, the company launched Authentic Studios to develop and produce premium film, television, commercials, live stage experiences and audio. It is made up of four labels: Shaquille O’Neal’s Jersey Legends, David Beckham’s Studio 99, Sports Illustrated Studios, and Authentic Productions. Authentic Studios and Authentic Live will play a central role in expanding the Care Bears universe through new stories, audiences and fan experiences.
The company says Care Bears is available in 26 languages, reaches consumers in more than 190 countries, and is distributed on major platforms around the world, including short-form content, games, live experiences, movies and more. The brand has been relaunched several times over its 40-year history and is now owned by IVEST Consumer Partners and Cloverlay. Raine Group advised Care Bears’ owners on the sale.
“Care Bears is the gold standard in family entertainment,” said Corey Salter, CEO of Authentic Entertainment. “This production comes with a nearly 45-year history of true emotional connection, an active content pipeline, a vast network of over 500 licensing partners, and a passionate fan base that continues to grow. Our opportunity is not just to take control of the brand and its positive message; it is to bring Care Bears to Authentic’s powerful platform and write the next great chapter in one of entertainment’s most enduring franchises.”
Authentic Studios’ recent work includes Jersey Legend’s Netflix documentary series “Power Moves,” the Emmy-nominated HBO documentary “Shaq,” and Studio 99’s Emmy-winning Netflix documentary series “Beckham.” We also released the Baz Luhrmann-directed film “EPiC Elvis Presley” and the NBC/Peacock live music special “Christmas at Graceland.”
The Care Bears acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026. It’s been a busy time for Authentic, which has already announced four acquisitions this year, including the acquisition of clothing brands Lee and Guess.
