Winnie the Pooh at 100: How Disney’s Most Gentle Icon Became a Merchandising Powerhouse (Ep. 83)

As Winnie the Pooh turns 100, Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey take a deep dive into how Disney is kicking off a year-long centennial celebration and what the first wave of merchandise already reveals about the strategy behind it. From understated lifestyle apparel to a knit plush that collectors immediately zeroed in on, this episode explores why Pooh still resonates after a century. Then, Jim unpacks the surprisingly complex business history that transformed a simple bedtime story into one of Disney’s most carefully managed and profitable characters.

NEWS
• Disney officially unveils its Winnie the Pooh 100th anniversary branding, signaling a long runway of celebrations tied to Pooh’s literary origins
• The first wave of centennial merchandise drops, favoring subtle, wearable designs over loud anniversary graphics
• A limited-edition knit Pooh plush, capped at 7,500 units, becomes the early breakout collectible
• Key 2026 milestones line up, from Winnie the Pooh Day to major Disney animation anniversaries
• Publishers and museums outside Disney join in, reinforcing Pooh as a cultural and literary icon

FEATURE
• How A.A. Milne’s bedtime stories for his son evolved into a global phenomenon
• The pivotal role of licensing agent Stephen Slesinger in shaping Pooh’s commercial future
• Why Disney handled Winnie the Pooh differently than almost any other character
• How merchandising deals, lawsuits, and strategy shifts helped turn Pooh into a billion-dollar brand

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Lauren Hersey - IG: @lauren_hersey_ | X: @laurenhersey2

FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia

SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

SPONSOR
This episode is sponsored by Unlocked Magic, your go-to source for great deals on theme park tickets. If Disney or Universal is on your travel radar for 2026, Unlocked Magic can help you lock in excellent prices with expert guidance from people who truly know the parks. Learn more at UnlockedMagic.com.

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