It's Happy Bunny


Who started It's Happy Bunny, and why is Happy Bunny such a wise-guy, we mean, wise-bunny?  The mind behind Happy Bunny is Jim Benton, who was born, raised, educated, and still lives in Michigan.  Benton is married with two children and works out of his studio.  He has created many other outlandish characters in his short career, and "People Magazine" has called him "The most visible cartoonist in America". 

It was in the seventh grade that Benton first was paid for some of his drawings, and it was then he set his sights on making a life based on his creativity.  So far so good as It's Happy Bunny is currently licensed to over 100 companies, and the cute smiling bunny's image can be found on anything from underwear to energy drinks.  It's Happy Bunny brand has been recognized by the Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA) Award in each of the last four years: "Best Art Brand" in 2005, "Best Character Brand License - Soft Goods" in 2006, "Best Character Brand Licensee - Hard Goods" in 2007, and "Best Character Brand Program of the Year" in 2008.

It's Happy Bunny was born in the mid-90's and in 2002 was licensed.  It took several years before Happy Bunny caught on, but has it ever.  We have a large framed poster hanging on the wall in the office at the Mid-South Bunny Museum that declares "it's all about me.  deal with it".  And in one of our two cars the floor mats say the same thing.  We have a tall drinking glass that says "this kind of made me throw up".  We think Happy Bunny is quite humorous along the lines of a Maxine, that elderly lady with the big attitude.  Although Happy Bunny and its insulting slogans are geared to teenagers, many adults such as ourselves get a kick out of it. 

Besides all the outlandish and sardonic slogans Happy Bunny comes up with, Happy Bunny has done much good for American society.  And how is that, you might ask?  The Partnership for a Drug-Free America has given It's Happy Bunny their Achievement Award for the work done as an anti-drug spokes-character.

Jim Benton's latest venture is "It's Happy Bunny Does Su Doku", the number puzzle craze.  There is no telling where Happy Bunny will show up next - its own Cartoon Show, a hybrid automobile named after it, the poster bunny for a third party candidate running for President?  The sky's the limit for It's Happy Bunny.  But we all know why Happy Bunny has been such a success - because its a bunny!!