Hello Kitty is announcing her candidacy...vote Hello Kitty for President!

Not sure how to vote on November 6^th?  How about joining the Friendship Party…..and vote Hello Kitty for President!

Hello Kitty has joined the race to spread the message of  friendship, fun and happiness amongst her legions of fans….and to shed some supercute light on the process in the meantime. With over 10 million Facebook friends, Hello Kitty falls squarely between the  two candidates (Barrack Obama has 29 million while Mitt Romney has 8 million) but her message speaks from the heart and is unlikely to offend anyone.

Log on at  www.sanrio.com/HelloKitty2012 to cast your vote for Hello Kitty’s running mate, check out the limited edition Hello Kitty for President merch and log in for news & info on the soon to open campaign headquarters in Washington DC.

This election season Hello Kitty wants red, white and YOU! Join the Friendship Party and vote Hello Kitty for President!

Hello Kitty is throwing her bow into the ring for President of the United States, adding a playful punch to the busy election season. And with her recent celebration of 10 million Facebook fans, she’s energized and ready to run! So if you’re squarely in the ‘undecided’ column – or simply a huge fan – Hello Kitty could be just the candidate for you!

“Hello Kitty has embodied positivity for almost 40 years and inspires millions of fans worldwide,” says Jill Koch, Senior Vice President of Brand Management and Marketing, Sanrio, Inc. “This campaign is a celebration of what she represents: friendship, fun and happiness.”

Beginning mid-October and true to Sanrio’s, ‘small gift, big smile’, philosophy, Hello Kitty’s Friendship Party street teams and door-to-door canvassers will give away free Hello Kitty for President campaign bumper stickers, buttons, and yard signs throughout Washington DC. Hello Kitty will also make appearances leading up to election week, culminating in a Sanrio-style celebratory event before the election votes are tallied.

Starting November 1, Hello Kitty for President’s Campaign Headquarters will pop-up for a week-long residence at LivingSocial’s 918 F Street in Washington, DC. 918 F Street is a historic venue located in the heart of the nation’s capital. The multi-floored space will host curated activities and events, an art show, and many more surprises.The pop-up campaign shop will offer limited edition Hello Kitty for President collectible products including t-shirts, campaign kits, plush, a tote bag and red, white and blue headband bows.

In addition, Sanrio and Hello Kitty will partner with 826DC, the Washington DC chapter of the 826 National network of nonprofit creative writing centers, to promote awareness, develop programming with students, and foster 826’s mission of educating students ages 6-18 in creative & expository writing skills.To find out more about 826DC, visit http://www.826dc.org/.

Every candidate needs a running mate and Hello Kitty is no different. Fans from around the world will be invited to vote for her Vice President on Facebook – choosing from Sanrio friends including Tuxedosam, My Melody, Badtz-Maru, Keroppi, and Chococat. Hello Kitty's Facebook friends can also share free digital and printable campaign goodies with the Hello Kitty for President Facebook Gifts app. Campaign coverage, free campaign gifts with purchase and select limited edition products will be available exclusively online at Sanrio.com. Sanrio stores will offer free campaign buttons during the weekend of October 19^th.

So join the party! Hello Kitty for President is the only election campaign where everybody can come together and vote for friendship, fun and happiness! For more information, please visit www.sanrio.com/HelloKitty2012, www.facebook.com/hellokitty, and follow the campaign trail using #HelloKitty2012 on Twitter, Instagram and athellokittyforpresident.tumblr.com.