Ripple Junction (www.ripplejunction.com), a Top 100 global apparel licensee and pop culture product powerhouse, today announced that it has partnered with Hastings, a leading multimedia entertainment retailer, to launch its highly anticipated new “Ohiya” line of character-driven merchandise to include t-shirts, toys, plushies, purses and keychains. Hastings will initially debut the line in February 2012 in 54 of its retail locations throughout the United States and also in its highly trafficked online storefront www.GoHastings.com. Additional retailers of the line to be announced thereafter.
Poised to take the young adult and junior apparel – and pop culture scene at large – by storm, the Ohiya cast of imaginative characters (www.ohiyafriends.com) is the brainchild of Columbus, Ohio-based illustrator Jason Tharp. A self-proclaimed “obsessive dreamer,” Tharp’s mission for Ohiya is to encourage us to go beyond our personal boundaries and to simply say, “Hi” to one another. “A chance encounter can suddenly turn into something meaningful, all with the help of this simple two letter word,” Tharp proclaims. “This brand is all about the art of making friends.” And so the “o-HI-ya” identity was born.
Zoomipop Turq So-Duh!”We are thrilled for the opportunity to work with Ripple Junction to officially launch Ohiya merchandise into the marketplace and into the national consciousness at large,” said Rebecca Webb, Director of Trends for Hastings. “The whimsical imagery, social vision and quality of this brand fits perfectly with our entertainment and pop culture oriented offerings and will greatly appeal to our customer base.”
Zombuddy Eat Your Heart Out MonkeyOhiya merchandise will feature a variety of characters grouped under different sub-brands that reflect their differing characteristics and personalities, including “Zombuddiez”, “Smooch”, “Zoomipop”, “Mythtaken”, and “Katinja”. All of the characters are unique and have their own back story, yet they’re tied together through similar, relatable qualities.
