Viacom Acquires Garfield Brand for Nick Portfolio

Following the acquisition, VNCP will manage global merchandising rights for the property including its existing portfolio of licensees.

License Global

August 6, 2019

Viacom has announced plans to acquire Paws Inc., the global rights owner of the

Garfield

and the

U.S. Acres

franchises.

Following the completion of the acquisition, Viacom subsidiary Nickelodeon will develop a new

Garfield

animated television series. Global merchandising rights for

Garfield

will be managed by Viacom Nickelodeon Consumer Products, including the property’s existing portfolio of licensees.

Garfield

creator Jim Davis will continue to produce the

Garfield

syndicated comic strip.

The acquisition of

Garfield

will expand Nickelodeon’s growing portfolio of properties that already includes “SpongeBob SquarePants,” “PAW Patrol,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “Blue’s Clues & You!” and an all-new animated “Star Trek” series.

“

Garfield

is a global evergreen franchise that is a natural fit with Nickelodeon and our portfolio of iconic properties,” says Pam Kaufman, president, VNCP. “With fans around the globe that span both kids and adults, we are excited to ignite

Garfield

into a multigenerational

consumer products juggernaut and further deliver on VNCP’s ‘Every Age, Every Aisle’ mission.”

Originated by cartoonist Jim Davis,

Garfield

has spawned movies, TV shows, stage shows and various consumer merchandise. Last year, the character celebrated its

40th anniversary

with a variety of licensing deals.