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BalloonART launches 'Character & Mascot Games 2026' for soft power growth.

BalloonART launches 'Character & Mascot Games 2026' for soft power growth.

MGR Online•Economy•54d ago

Reader Briefing

BalloonART leverages 'Character & Mascot Games 2026' to boost Thai-Japanese soft power through character marketing.

  • •BalloonART organized the 'Character & Mascot Games 2026' event, the first of its kind in Thailand, to promote character marketing and soft power.
  • •The event featured a variety of mascots from different categories, including international, regional, corporate, and fandom characters.
  • •Industry leaders discussed the rapid growth of Thailand's character industry, driven by art toys, emotional connection, and IP expansion.

Overview

  • •On February 8, BalloonART Company Limited organized the 'Character & Mascot Games 2026' event.
  • •BalloonART initiated the 'Character & Mascot Games 2026' in order to utilize character marketing strategies.
  • •The event aims to elevate Thai-Japanese soft power to a value-adding marketing platform.
  • •Nithee Seephrae, TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications, presided over the opening ceremony.
  • •The character industry in Thailand has grown by 196% to over 7,232 million baht, according to a depa survey.
  • •Key drivers for market growth include the Art Toy Phenomenon, Emotional Connection, and IP Expansion.
  • •BalloonART signed a strategic cooperation with KIGURUMI.BIZ from Japan to integrate global production standards.
  • •BalloonART plans to develop 'Character & Mascot Games' into an annual platform for the character industry in Thailand.

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Key Quotes

Worrasong Samatthaphan
"Currently, the value of the character industry in Thailand has grown by a staggering 196%, with a total value of over 7,232 million baht."
ปัจจุบันมูลค่าของอุตสาหกรรมคาแรคเตอร์ในประเทศไทยเติบโตอย่างก้าวกระโดดถึง 196% มีมูลค่ารวมกว่า 7,232 ล้านบาท
Jiratha Lohaprom
"Over 30 years of operation, BalloonART has produced more than 500 high-quality inflatable mascots."
ตลอดระยะเวลากว่า 30 ปี ของการดำเนินงาน BalloonART ได้ผลิตมาสคอตเป่าลมคุณภาพสูงรวมแล้วมากกว่า 500 ตัว

Key Entities

Organization

BalloonART
Organizer of the 'Character & Mascot Games 2026' event, specializing in mascot production and management.
KIGURUMI.BIZ
A Japanese company specializing in mascot-related services, partnering with BalloonART.
G-Yu Creative
An organization involved in organizing events like Japan Expo Thailand, with its CEO attending the event.
Central Pattana Plc.(บมจ.เซ็นทรัลพัฒนา)
A company whose Marketing Managing Director attended the opening of the 'Character & Mascot Games 2026'.
Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa)(สำนักงานส่งเสริมเศรษฐกิจดิจิทัล (depa))
The agency that conducted the survey on the status of the digital content industry in 2024, as cited in the article.
The Walt Disney Companyℹ️
The company that certified BalloonART with the FAMA standard, indicating international operational standards.

Person

Nithee Seephrae(นายนิธี สีแพร)
Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), who was the opening ceremony president.
Hiromi Kano(คุณฮิโรมิ คาโนะ)
Founder of KIGURUMI.BIZ from Japan and a global expert in the mascot industry.
Yuppares Ekatukurapakan(คุณยุพเรศ เอกธุระประคัลภ์)
An executive who attended the opening ceremony of the 'Character & Mascot Games 2026'.
Tomomi Kobayashi(คุณโทโมมิ โคบายาชิ)
Chief Executive Officer of G-Yu Creative, organizer of Japan Expo Thailand, who attended the opening ceremony.
Dr. Nattakit Tangphoolsinthana(ดร.ณัฐกิตติ์ ตั้งพูลสินธนา)
Managing Director of Marketing at Central Pattana Plc., who attended the opening ceremony.
Worrasong Samatthaphan(คุณวรสรวง สมัตถพันธุ์)
Chief Executive Officer of BalloonART Company Limited, who provided insights into the market direction.
Jiratha Lohaprom(คุณจิรฐา โลหะพรหม)
Chief Executive Officer and Founder of BalloonART Company Limited, who shared details about the company's operations and achievements.