Every time I sit down to write about our latest international happenings, I’m amazed at Disney’s global reach and its impact. Here in the U.S. we don’t always hear about the breadth of Disney products and experiences around the world, which is why I enjoy sharing them here.
Take our first news item for example. It’s common in the U.S. to see Mickey Mouse baseball or basketball products, but how about cricket?
That’s right. Last year in India, the Mickey Cricket product line debuted. And following its success, this year Iron Man and Spider-Man joined forces with Mumbai Indians cricket stars Ricky Ponting, Lasith Malinga and Kieron Pollard to unveil a Marvel Cricket product line. The collection includes apparel and towels, and is available in stores across India and online. Fans can also check out the Mumbai Indians or Marvel Facebook page to predict the “Ironman of the Match” for every match the team plays for a chance to win tickets and merchandise.
This year, the Disney/Pixar Fun Zone is making its way across Australia and New Zealand! The traveling attraction features activities themed to Cars, Toy Story, Finding Nemo, andMonsters University. The attraction features everything from a Cars Race-O-Rama Play Station 3 play-off to a Finding Nemo 3D Movie Dome to Woody and Jessie’s Lasso Challenge. Kids can also enjoy the Monsters University-themed maze in celebration of the upcoming film. The family experience is rolling across various cities through 2013 before concluding in Sydney this December.
At a high-end shopping destination in Taiwan, Disney Princesses were recently on hand to meet with shoppers. The three-day promotional event offered visitors a chance to experience the Disney Princess stories through live character meet-and-greets and interactive areas featuring new Princess artwork. Even the malls main entrance was transformed into a castle façade. More than 32,000 people, including local celebrities, attended the event’s opening night.
And finally, Phineas and Ferb are the hosts of Disney Channel South Korea’s first local production – Phineas & Ferb’s Funny Show. The talk show features the duos’ interviews with well-known public figures – from K-pop singers to local comedians and sports stars – and airs just before the Phineas and Ferb TV series, which has enjoyed increased popularity in Korea.