2010 marks two decades since Tiger Aspect introduced the ever-quirky Mr. Bean, and both licensing agents, The Sharpe Company (US) and RDF Rights (UK), will be bringing on a host of new partners to mark the occasion.

To up Mr. Bean’s web profile, Sharpe inked a deal with Egencie (www.egencie.com) to develop a branded social site and virtual world including web games and activities. Pollard Games will continue its worldwide license for scratch card lottery games, and new licensee Homage Clothing will produce Mr. Bean t-shirts for the US market.

RDFR, meanwhile, has snagged a deal with Trend Import for a range of Mr. Bean plush, glass, ceramic products and postcards in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and is in discussions with potential licensing agents in Australia and Brazil to developing local programs.