Life in China 2016: A Picture A Day, September 5 – B. Duck is a HUGE merchandise branding character that was started in Hong Kong in 2005. He was inspired by the traditional rubber duckie. Quote from the official website “To distinguish himself from the traditional floating duck, the cuddly B. Duck represents the spirit of “Be Playful” for the people of all ages and shares the happiness and fun to everyone …… With twinkling eyes, puffy lips and a big tummy, B. Duck loves to surprise and delight your beloved.”
He has a family, and friends, of other colorful ducks and even a younger sibling who is an unhatched egg! B. Duck is very popular in China, most of Asia, and is also in Europe. I see there is a B. Duck USA website, so maybe he’s in the USA too? There are whole stores of B. Duck merchandise! You can get an amazing variety of things, plus there are now cafés also! Fun to look at, but all I actually own is a bowl that I got as a promotion with toothpaste once! Pizza Hut is currently using B. Duck in their advertising for their new Beijing duck pizza, notice his pizza hat? Here’s a 10th anniversary video from last year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIu775PkN5A
My pictures are a B. Duck store in Shenzhen at Christmastime, current Pizza Hut advertising and big B. Ducks in their windows, and some older pictures of B. Duck statues.