Egmont Serieforlaget, the publishing arm of the Copenhagen-based Scandinavian media giant has just acquired the Danish company Rasmus Klump ApS, owner of the favourite children's cartoon character, a little bear known in Sweden as "Rasmus Nalle" and in Norway as "Bamse Bjorn".

Egmont Serieforlaget intends to exploit the character's rights and brand in all print and electronic media as well as in film and music, using the group's other companies such as Nordisk Film and MBO. "Rasmus Klump is synonymous with good stories about friendship and helpfulness. The universe is also a sterling classic with modern potential, which we are looking forward to perpetuating far into the future," said Jan Neiiendam, Managing Director of Egmont Serieforlaget.

Created in 1951, the adventures of the Rasmus Klump bear and his friends aboard the good ship Mary were originally written by husband-and-wife team Carla and Vilhem Hansen. The books have been translated into 18 languages and published in 25 countries and the character is well known not only in the Nordic region and German-speaking territories but also in France, Belgium, and even in China where rights to the animated series based on the character have been sold to a local broadcaster.