Hello Kitty

Sanrio marks Hello Kitty's 50th anniversary with record profit. Company draws on roster of 450-plus characters to diversify its brand abroad.

Hello Kitty's 50th anniversary

Company draws on roster of 450-plus characters to diversify its brand abroad and records record profit

TOKYO -- Sanrio reported its highest-ever first-half net profit Friday, thanks partly to efforts to tie earnings less to star character Hello Kitty even as the Japanese company celebrates her 50th anniversary.

Net profit jum…