Bicycle Playing Cards, the most widely used playing card brand in the world, has teamed up with the Original Smiley® Brand to launch Bicycle x Smiley® Collector’s Edition decks. The new decks were created to celebrate Smiley's 50-year anniversary since becoming a trademarked image.
The new decks include exclusive artworks by iconic graffiti artist André Saraiva, who lead the transition for the brand from Smiley's initial 'Take the Time to Smile' campaign to its now world-recognized 'Smiley' icon. Beyond the custom cards, each deck will also contain a foldout image of the 'Smiley' and unique number, which will represent what deck out of the 9,999 released that they own.
"Smiley is the original brand for spreading happiness and positivity, which makes a partnership with Bicycle such a natural fit. As the leading maker of playing cards in the world, this much-loved brand has also brought smiles to the faces of millions of people, providing them with many happy hours playing games with friends and family," said Lori Heiss-Tiplady, SVP Toys & Publishing.
Smiley-Themed Collectors Cards
The New Bicycle x Smiley Playing Cards Are For Serious Collectors
Trend Themes
1. Collectors Playing Cards - As seen with Bicycle x Smiley playing cards, there is a growing trend towards exclusive, collectible decks of playing cards with unique designs and limited edition runs.
2. Collaborations with Iconic Artists/brands - Partnering with well-known brands and artists like André Saraiva, as seen in the Bicycle x Smiley cards, offers the opportunity for innovative designs that draw in collectors and enthusiasts.
3. Personalized/customized Collectibles - Including unique numbers and foldout images in the Bicycle x Smiley decks demonstrates a trend towards personalized and customized collectibles in the playing card industry.
Industry Implications
1. Playing Cards - This latest collaboration between Bicycle and Smiley, along with the trend towards collectible and unique decks, highlights opportunities for disruptive innovations in the playing card industry.
2. Art & Design - Partnering with well-known artists like André Saraiva demonstrates opportunities for innovation in art and design collaborations with brands.
3. Collectibles - Personalized and unique elements in collectible items, as shown in the Bicycle x Smiley decks, showcase the potential for innovative offerings in the collectibles market.