Collective Digital Studio has appointed Gaffney Global Licensing and Stella Projects to represent the Annoying Orange brand in Australia and New Zealand.

The success of the initial Annoying Orange product launch, which included adult t-shirts and toys released in the U.S. at the end of 2011, has generated retail demand for the brand. Seventeen licensees have already been signed by New York-based licensing agent The Joester Loria Group including underwear and sleepwear, accessories, costumes, confectionery, electronics, gift and novelty.

Fred Gaffney is now actively seeking licensees for Australia and New Zealand to join existing partners in the region. Current partners include Moose Toys, who will launch a range of figurines and plush in Toys ‘R’ Us in mid-2013, and Casco Blu, who holds the rights to adult and kids outerwear, sleepwear, underwear and swimwear, and will release products at the end of this year. In addition, carnival products are expected to roll out in August.

The brand, which began with Internet videos, currently has more than 2.3 million YouTube channel subscribers and will debut a television series on Cartoon Network in the U.S. June 11. Negotiations to secure a local broadcast partner in Australia are currently underway.

The Joester Loria Group will be presenting Annoying Orange in Booth 6846 at Licensing Expo, June 12-14 in Las Vegas, Nev.