America's economic crisis has been affecting Korea's various economic indicators. The character industry is one of CTs (Contents Technology) that the government has been considered as a new potential field which can give a positive effect on the economy.
Famous foreign characters such as Mickey Mouse and Kitti had been dominated character market in 1990s. Korean characters have had a hard time in the market but Korea's characters have been dominating the market by global marketings based on unique concepts and interesting stories.
'Pucca' of VOOZ Co., Ltd., for instance, has been introducing about 3,000 products in about 150 countries. Pucca advanced to Europe and China in 2003, the South America in 2006, and the North America in February of 2008.
Not only for children, but also the characters and their products has been loved by women of 20s and 30s. The characters had been considered as only for children.
Chicaloca of Project109 Co., Inc. (Representative: Dae-Hyeon Jo), which is in its prime now, might be one of the cases.
By introducing fashion umbrellas in February of 2006, they have introduced various fashion supplies such as watches, swimming suits, converse shoes, socks, bus cards, hats, and bedclothes for women.
Chicaloca won an award for excellent (Minister's Award of Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism) in '2008 Cartoon Animation Characters Contest' by Korea Culture & Contents Agency (Director: Seok-Man Go).
The development of Chicaloca, which has competitive power for global market, is impressive.
In September, Dongbang Electronics Co., Ltd, which is one of the biggest computer producing enterprises, has launched a mini Chicaloca laptop computer for women. Also they made two contracts with MAH Group which is a distributing company of women's fashion goods so Chicaloca fashion bags, which are produced in Korea, will be exported to Saudi Arabia two times; $20,000 and $100,000 of fashion bags in first round and second round.
Dongbang Electronics Co., Ltd, which has launched Chicaloca laptop computers, said "There were big positive responses for the laptops from women so the products were sold out in a month after the launching so we are waiting for the second order. We are going to keep marketing through TV mediums such as CCTV1 and CCTV6".
Muhammed Al Huraigy, who is the president of MAH Group which has been operating 65 shops by a distributing company called BEDOON ESSM in Saudi Arabia, said, "We have been examined a market-test with the 1st part of goods and the responses were very good" and "In the future, we will extend our sales with Chicaloca accessories, belts, earrings, and clothes in order to advance to markets in Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan.
An official of Project109 Co., Inc. (Representative: Dae-Hyeon Jo) said, "Please give a big support for a big development and success of Korean contents which has been dominating global markets under the world's economic crisis" and "We will try our best to develop Chicaloca more".
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