Ballard Spahr Represents IVEST Consumer Partners in Sale of Care Bears to Authentic Brands Group

Attorneys from Ballard Spahr’s Corporate Group represented private equity sponsor IVEST Consumer Partners in the sale of Care Bears—a line of highly popular teddy bear-like characters featured in greeting cards, toys, TV shows, and more—to Authentic Brands Group, a leading sports, media, entertainment, and lifestyle platform.

The sale closed August 14. IVEST acquired Care Bears in 2023 from the Weiss family, sole owners of the brand for more than 40 years, with a mandate to unlock the commercial potential of one of the world’s most recognized and enduring character properties, IVEST said in a press release announcing the sale. Under IVEST ownership, Care Bears dramatically increased its revenue and global brand awareness, with significant worldwide licensing growth, retail expansion, and commercial development of the Care Bears brand.

IVEST Consumer Partners is a private equity sponsor focused on licensing, intellectual property, and consumer products.

Authentic Brands Group owns some of the most iconic and beloved intellectual property in the world. The company acquires and invests in brands to create long-term value for all stakeholders.

The core Ballard Spahr team that advised IVEST Consumer Partners included Gregory L. Seltzer, Kimberly W. Klayman, Harry A. Levin, and Katelyn M. Bradley.

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