Sanrio's Hello Kitty is joining forces once again with Grammy-winning artist Bruno Mars for a collaboration comprised of exclusive merch, special themed food and drinks, and a meet-and-greet experience in Las Vegas.
Marking the opening of Bruno Mars' holiday concert residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas, as well as the 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty, the two are inviting fans to come "just the way you are" to celebrate inclusivity and friendship.
The Hello Kitty x Bruno Mars capsule collection fuses Hello Kitty's cute charm with Bruno Mars' cool swag.
Available throughout December, it will feature limited-edition graphics on tees, sweatshirts, bags, water bottles, and more.
Fans can get their hands on most of the merch by heading to Park MGM or outside the Bruno Mars concert entrance.
View this post on Instagram
The water bottle and t-shirt, however, will only be available at the Hello Kitty Cafe Kiosk at The Park MGM.
The cafe is also serving up a pair of special menu items, including:
- The Mars Mocha, a brown sugar coffee drink with whipped cream and brown sugar crumble on top
- The Hello Kitty x Bruno Mars Cookie, a shortbread cookie in chocolate or vanilla flavors, topped with kawaii character graphics drawn in icing
A collab do Bruno Mars com a Hello Kitty Cafe em Las Vegas. 🥹 pic.twitter.com/lb8LRjbor1
— Bruno Mars Access (@BrunoMarsAccess) December 7, 2024
In a press release, Sanrio Chief Operating Officer Craig Takiguchi emphasized how the collaboration brings together the worlds and fanbases of two cultural icons in a unique way:
"Bruno Mars is an exceptionally talented artist whose positive energy perfectly complements Hello Kitty's mission of spreading joy, one smile at a time. After the overwhelming success of our first collaboration with him, it was clear fans wanted more."
The pair initially released a limited-edition collection that was available exclusively during the pop star's mini tour in Japan.
Mars is currently enjoying his time on the music charts as a featured artist on the hit single "Apt" by K-pop idol Rosé, who starred in a campaign for the Puma Speedcat earlier this week.
A Sweet Surprise
On December 18, the start of Mars' Dolby Live at Park MGM concert series, the Hello Kitty Cafe Las Vegas will mount a special Bruno Mars event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The highlight will be a special appearance from Hello Kitty herself, who will conduct a meet and greet with fans.
In addition to the special menu items and exclusive merch, the first 50 guests to arrive will receive an extra-special surprise gift.
View this post on Instagram
The one-day event is sure to give fans an unforgettable time while utilizing experiential marketing to increase brand awareness and csutomer retention.
With Mars' concert in Las Vegas running through December 31, the strategically located Hello Kitty Cafe is sure to draw in interest from fans.
Leveraging each of their unique cultural significance, the collaboration between the two icons also showcases the power and effectiveness of influencer partnerships.