Two classic American Greetings Properties are getting an Italian boost, thanks to a new deal with licensing agent Starbright that will be bringing the two IPs to the territory.

Holly Hobbie, originally developed in 1967 as a line of sentimental greetings cards that expanded into a merch program by the late ’70s that included apparel, home décor and rag dolls. New partners on-board in Italy are Maricart (back to school, stationery, greeting cards, gift wrap, fashion bags and gifts, rag dolls), Sisters (juniors and ladies apparel, tops and sleepwear), Traval (home textiles and linens, including slippers, bathrobe, towels, tablecloths) and Brunelli Socks Co (classic socks and underwear).

Retro rubber playthings Madballs, which were reborn in 2007 with toys and apparel as key product categories have also landed new deals in the territory, including Accademia (back to school merchandise, stationery and gifts), Calzificio Franzoni (underwear, t-shirts, socks), Collecions B.B.V. (magnetic card game and laminated cards) and Panini Spa (sticker collection, sticker sheets and album).

Product for both properties is set to rollout in 2009, and AGP is looking to then expand the two programs in France and Asia. CPLG France is repping the two in the territory, and Medialink Pacific has taken Holly Hobbie rights for Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Thailand and Vietnam.