New partners include Basic Fun for non-talking plush, electronic handheld games, balls and key chains; Underground Toys for talking plush with or without clips in North America and the U.K.; Mad Dog Concepts for sleepwear in the U.S.; and JCP Live for character mascots and live events in the U.S.

In addition, Character Options has expanded its U.K. deal for its Character Building line of mini-figurines and play sets to include worldwide rights.

The toy licensees will be debut their prototypes at the upcoming Hong Kong, London, Nuremberg and New York Toy Fairs, with a retail launch Fall 2012.

“We are delighted to have these top-tier licensees working on the Almost Naked Animals merchandise program,” says Natalie Osborne, executive vice president, business development, 9 Story Entertainment.