Cloudco Entertainment

Cloudco Entertainment is an American animation, production, licensing, and intellectual-property company whose roots extend to the character-marketing operation created by American Greetings in the early 1980s. The business was originally established as Those Characters From Cleveland to manage licensing and entertainment activity around American Greetings characters and related properties. It later operated as AG Properties and, from 2015 to 2018, as American Greetings Entertainment before becoming an independent company under the Cloudco Entertainment name in August 2018. The company’s historical portfolio has included some of the most recognizable character properties developed for children’s merchandise and media. Its early activity involved Holly Hobbie, Ziggy, Strawberry Shortcake, and Care Bears. Care Bears became the company’s defining property after its introduction in the early 1980s through a partnership involving American Greetings and General Mills’ M.A.D. design group. The characters expanded rapidly from greeting-card and licensing concepts into toys, television specials, animated series, films, publishing, music, and a broad consumer-products program. Strawberry Shortcake similarly became a major licensing property, although it was later sold and is no longer part of Cloudco’s portfolio. During the AG Properties period, the company developed and represented a wide range of children’s brands and licensed properties. It worked with outside studios, broadcasters, publishers, toy companies, and regional licensing agencies. The portfolio included Madballs, Popples, My Pet Monster, Holly Hobbie, The WotWots, Packages from Planet X, Sushi Pack, Tinpo, and other character-led concepts. The company also handled international licensing and participated in television, publishing, comics, and merchandise programs. Its business model combined ownership or control of intellectual property with development, distribution, brand management, and licensing to third parties. The 2015 renaming to American Greetings Entertainment signaled a stronger emphasis on Care Bears and on producing or distributing entertainment content. During this period the company announced or supported projects including Buddy Thunderstruck, Claude, a proposed relaunch of Herself the Elf, Tinpo, a new Holly Hobbie series, and the redesigned Care Bears: Unlock the Magic. These projects demonstrated a strategy of refreshing established character brands while adding newer animation and live-action properties aimed at children and families. Cloudco became a standalone company in 2018 after American Greetings’ majority ownership changed hands but the entertainment operation was retained separately by the Weiss family. Sean Gorman continued as president. The independent company opened a United Kingdom office and continued to build partnerships with broadcasters, streaming services, production companies, music companies, and consumer-products licensees. Its later activities included Boy Girl Dog Cat Mouse Cheese, Overlord and the Underwoods, Pretty Freekin Scary, collaborations involving Madballs and Garbage Pail Kids, and licensed music connected with Holly Hobbie. In August 2023, Canadian private-equity firm IVEST Consumer Partners acquired Cloudco Entertainment. The stated strategy centered on expanding Care Bears for new children’s audiences while also using nostalgia-driven merchandise and retail collaborations to reach adults who grew up with the property. Cloudco has continued to operate as a character and content company, with plans described around new programming, consumer products, new intellectual property, and the acquisition or licensing of additional properties. A Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake crossover special was announced in 2024, and a live-action/animated Care Bears film entered development at Warner Bros. Pictures in 2025. The company’s portfolio and ownership position should be monitored because individual intellectual properties may be sold, transferred, or licensed separately over time.

Cloudco Entertainment developed from American Greetings’ character-licensing activities. The company’s predecessor, Those Characters From Cleveland, was established in 1981 under Tom Wilson’s direction to manage licensing and related commercial opportunities. American Greetings had already built a character portfolio through greeting cards and merchandise, including Holly Hobbie and Ziggy. The new organization provided a dedicated structure for turning characters into licensed products, television properties, publishing programs, and other forms of entertainment. One of the earliest major successes associated with the business was Strawberry Shortcake. The property became a significant merchandising and licensing phenomenon in the early 1980s. Care Bears followed soon afterward. Created through work involving American Greetings and General Mills’ M.A.D. design group, the Care Bears were introduced in 1982 and reached consumers through toys and television programming from 1983 onward. The property became the central long-term asset of the company’s portfolio, extending into animated productions, specials, films, publishing, apparel, toys, and international licensing. The company also developed or represented properties with different audience profiles. Madballs, launched as foam toys in the mid-1980s, targeted an older and more irreverent children’s market. Popples, developed with Mattel, entered the market in 1986. Other historical properties included My Pet Monster, The Get Along Gang, Lady Lovely Locks, and later concepts such as Maryoku Yummy, Sushi Pack, Packages from Planet X, and Twisted Whiskers. In the 2000s, the organization operated as AG Properties. It expanded its role as an international licensing agent and entered agreements involving Strawberry Shortcake, Holly Hobbie, The WotWots, and other properties. The Strawberry Shortcake business also became involved in a complicated licensing and ownership dispute involving DIC Entertainment, Cookie Jar, and MoonScoop. The dispute ultimately resulted in American Greetings retaining control during the failed transaction process, followed by the sale of Strawberry Shortcake and associated intangible assets to Iconix Brand Group in 2015. The property later moved to WildBrain through Iconix-related transactions. AG Properties also increased its involvement in television and publishing. It supported projects such as Packages from Planet X and licensed Care Bears, Madballs, and Packages from Planet X for comics. Sean Gorman, who had joined the business in an entertainment production and development role, became president in 2013 and was tasked in part with broadening the portfolio toward young male audiences. In October 2015, the organization changed its name to American Greetings Entertainment. The rebrand reflected a shift toward active entertainment development and a stronger focus on Care Bears. The company announced Buddy Thunderstruck, represented the animated adaptation Claude, pursued a new Herself the Elf series, and participated in the development of Tinpo and other television projects. It also supported the live-action Holly Hobbie series commissioned by Hulu and prepared Care Bears: Unlock the Magic, which premiered in 2019. American Greetings Entertainment became Cloudco Entertainment in August 2018. The change followed the restructuring of American Greetings ownership: the Weiss family retained the entertainment operation while American Greetings’ majority ownership moved to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice. Cloudco operated as a standalone company and retained its management, including Sean Gorman. It subsequently opened a UK office and continued international licensing and production partnerships. The independent company’s later slate included Boy Girl Dog Cat Mouse Cheese, music and merchandise programs, Overlord and the Underwoods, and Pretty Freekin Scary. In 2021, it partnered with Topps on a Madballs and Garbage Pail Kids crossover toy range. In August 2023, IVEST Consumer Partners acquired Cloudco Entertainment. The new ownership emphasized expanding Care Bears to younger audiences while using retro merchandise and retail collaborations to engage adults familiar with the original characters. Cloudco has also continued to develop screen projects and cross-property initiatives, including The Care Berry Switch with WildBrain and a Care Bears feature film in development at Warner Bros. Pictures.

• 2025

  Care Bears feature film enters development

  [1]Cloudco Entertainmenten.wikipedia.org

  Warner Bros. Pictures begins development of a live-action/animated Care Bears film.

• 2024

  The Care Berry Switch is announced

  [1]Cloudco Entertainmenten.wikipedia.org

  Cloudco and WildBrain announce a Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake crossover special.

• 2023

  IVEST Consumer Partners acquires Cloudco

  [1]Cloudco Entertainmenten.wikipedia.org

  IVEST Consumer Partners acquires the company and outlines a Care Bears-led growth strategy.

• 2021

  Cloudco partners with Topps

  [1]Cloudco Entertainmenten.wikipedia.org

  Cloudco and Topps announce a crossover toy program combining Madballs with Garbage Pail Kids.

• 2019

  Care Bears: Unlock the Magic premieres

  [1]Cloudco Entertainmenten.wikipedia.org

  The refreshed Care Bears animated series premieres through the Boomerang streaming service.

• 2018

  Cloudco Entertainment is launched as a standalone company

  [1]Cloudco Entertainmenten.wikipedia.org

  The entertainment business separates from American Greetings and begins operating as Cloudco Entertainment.

• 2015

  Strawberry Shortcake is sold to Iconix

  [1]Cloudco Entertainmenten.wikipedia.org

  Iconix Brand Group agrees to acquire Strawberry Shortcake and related intangible assets from AG Properties.

• 2015

  AG Properties becomes American Greetings Entertainment

  [1]Cloudco Entertainmenten.wikipedia.org

  The organization changes its name and emphasizes Care Bears and entertainment production.

• 2013

  Sean Gorman becomes president

  [1]Cloudco Entertainmenten.wikipedia.org

  Sean Gorman is promoted to president of AG Properties with a mandate to expand its franchise portfolio.

• 2001

  AG Properties appoints DIC as Strawberry Shortcake licensing agent

  [1]Cloudco Entertainmenten.wikipedia.org

  The company appoints DIC Entertainment to handle licensing for Strawberry Shortcake.

• 1986

  Madballs and Popples expand the portfolio

  [1]Cloudco Entertainmenten.wikipedia.org

  Madballs launch through AmToy, while Popples are introduced through a partnership with Mattel.

• 1983

  Care Bears enter toys and television

  [1]Cloudco Entertainmenten.wikipedia.org

  Care Bears reach the market through toys and a syndicated television special.

• 1982

  Care Bears are introduced

  [1]Cloudco Entertainmenten.wikipedia.org

  Care Bears are announced as a new character property developed through American Greetings and General Mills’ M.A.D. group.

• 1981

  Those Characters From Cleveland is established

  [1]Cloudco Entertainmenten.wikipedia.org

  American Greetings creates a dedicated character-licensing organization under the Those Characters From Cleveland name.

A character-driven entertainment and licensing company combining established nostalgic brands, children’s animation, live-action family content, and consumer-products partnerships. Since its independence and subsequent acquisition by IVEST Consumer Partners, the company has emphasized Care Bears as its primary global growth and heritage property while retaining a broader portfolio of owned, represented, and developed intellectual property.

• Character franchise · 1982

  Care Bears

  Care Bears is Cloudco’s principal heritage franchise and the company’s most important global character property. The colorful bears originated as American Greetings characters in the early 1980s and expanded into toys, animated television, films, specials, publishing, apparel, music, and consumer licensing. After Cloudco’s acquisition by IVEST Consumer Partners, the franchise became the central focus of a strategy combining new children’s entertainment with retro merchandise aimed at adults who remember the original brand.

• Character franchise · 1967

  Holly Hobbie

  Holly Hobbie began as an American Greetings greeting-card character in 1967 and later developed into a broad licensing and entertainment property. Cloudco has supported publishing, merchandise, music, and screen adaptations, including a live-action Hulu series produced with Aircraft Pictures. The brand’s long history gives it both a children’s entertainment role and a nostalgic consumer-products opportunity.

• Toy and character franchise · 1985

  Madballs

  Madballs is a line of grotesque, humorous characters first released as foam toys in the mid-1980s. The property targets an older children’s and nostalgia-oriented audience than Care Bears and has been adapted for licensing, comics, and crossover merchandise. Cloudco later partnered with Topps on a Madballs and Garbage Pail Kids toy collaboration.

• Animated television series · 2017

  Buddy Thunderstruck

  Buddy Thunderstruck is a stop-motion animated comedy series produced with Stoopid Buddy Stoodios. The series follows an anthropomorphic truck-driving dog and was developed for Netflix, extending Cloudco’s portfolio beyond heritage character licensing into original-format animation.

• Animated television series · 2019

  Boy Girl Dog Cat Mouse Cheese

  Boy Girl Dog Cat Mouse Cheese is an animated family series co-produced with Watch Next Media and Kavaleer Productions. It was commissioned by CBBC and Gulli and centers on a large, unconventional household, giving Cloudco a contemporary ensemble property alongside its established character brands.

• Preschool animated television series · 2018

  Tinpo

  Tinpo is a preschool-oriented animated series developed with Dentsu, OLM Digital, and Sprite Animation Studios. The project was commissioned for CBeebies and uses a colorful problem-solving setting designed for young viewers.

• Live-action comedy series · 2021

  Overlord and the Underwoods

  Overlord and the Underwoods is a live-action family comedy developed by Cloudco with Marblemedia. The series received international pickup commitments involving Nickelodeon, ITV, CBC, and BYUtv, reflecting Cloudco’s interest in live-action formats as well as animation.

• Character franchise · 1983

  The Get Along Gang

  The Get Along Gang is a character property associated with Cloudco’s broader portfolio of children’s entertainment and licensing brands. It belongs to the company’s catalog of established character concepts available for development, representation, and consumer-products activity.

• 2024The Care Berry Switch crossover

  International

  Cloudco and WildBrain developed a crossover special bringing Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake together for the first time in a Cloudco production after Strawberry Shortcake had left the company’s portfolio.

  Outcome. The project expanded the promotional and licensing potential of two historically connected character franchises.

  Source
• 2023Care Bears heritage and nostalgia strategy

  International

  Following IVEST Consumer Partners’ acquisition, Cloudco emphasized new Care Bears content for children alongside retro-style products and collaborations intended for adults who grew up with the brand.

  Outcome. The strategy included proposed collaborations with retailers and character-merchandise partners, although detailed financial outcomes were not provided.

  Source
• 2018Care Bears redesign and relaunch program

  International

  Cloudco previewed redesigned Care Bears characters and announced Care Bears: Unlock the Magic as part of a broader effort to refresh the franchise for a new generation.

  Outcome. The series premiered in 2019 and supported renewed television, licensing, and merchandise activity.

  Source

• 2025

  Develop a Care Bears feature filmProduct launch

  Background

  Cloudco pursued new screen opportunities for its flagship franchise as part of its broader effort to introduce Care Bears to new audiences.

  Action taken

  Warner Bros. Pictures announced development of a live-action/animated Care Bears film with Josh Greenbaum attached as director.

  Aftermath

  The project was reported as being in development; release timing and final production details were not established in the available material.

  Source

• 2023

  IVEST Consumer Partners acquires Cloudco EntertainmentM&A

  Background

  IVEST Consumer Partners acquired Cloudco with an stated interest in expanding its character portfolio and prioritizing Care Bears.

  Action taken

  IVEST purchased the company and outlined plans involving new children’s content, nostalgic merchandise, retail collaborations, and additional intellectual-property activity.

  Aftermath

  Cloudco remained an active private entertainment company operating with Care Bears as its principal strategic focus.

  Announced acquisition price. USD 100 million (2023 acquisition announcement)

  Source

• 2018

  Separate the entertainment business from American GreetingsStrategy

  Background

  American Greetings underwent an ownership restructuring while the Weiss family retained the entertainment operation.

  Action taken

  The unit was spun out as the independent Cloudco Entertainment company, with existing management retained.

  Aftermath

  Cloudco expanded its international office network and continued pursuing content, licensing, and consumer-products partnerships as a standalone business.

  Source

• 2015

  Sell Strawberry Shortcake to Iconix Brand GroupM&A

  Background

  American Greetings Properties decided to divest Strawberry Shortcake and related intangible assets while concentrating more heavily on Care Bears and other entertainment properties.

  Action taken

  Iconix Brand Group agreed to acquire the property in a transaction announced in February 2015.

  Aftermath

  The franchise later moved to WildBrain through Iconix-related entertainment-asset transactions.

  Announced acquisition price. USD 105 million (2015 announced transaction)

  Source

1. 1Cloudco Entertainmenten.wikipedia.org