(BPT) - In honor of its 50th anniversary, The Smiley Company, the brand behind the iconic smiley, is declaring 2022 the Year of Smiles based on insights from a recent survey revealing the state of smiles nationwide.
According to the new Smile Index survey, while 40% respondents admit they smiled less in 2020 and 2021 than in previous years, 70% of Americans agree they want to see more smiles in 2022. The study also reveals the power of a smile, with nearly three-quarters (71%) of people agreeing that when someone smiles at them, it makes them feel happy.
'After the challenging last couple of years, what better way to navigate out of these times than with this campaign that aims to reverse a global smile deficit, spread positivity and fill the world with smiles in 2022,' said Nicolas Loufrani, CEO of The Smiley Company. 'This campaign has proved that Smiley's unique, creative and positive symbolism continues to inspire some of the most influential artists, brands and tastemakers across the globe.'
Here is who smiled the most, and least, in 2021 across the country:
Throughout the year, Smiley will be announcing exciting collaborations, partnerships and smile-worthy moments around the world. To join The Smiley Company in celebrating smiles in 2022 and to learn more about The Smiley Company, visit www.smiley.com.
About The Smiley Company:
Created in 1972, by French journalist Franklin Loufrani to spread feel-good news, the Smiley TRADEMARK/BRAND would go on to become one of the most important icons in graphic design, bringing people together through a creative message that spreads positivity and putting social and emotional learning at the top of the agenda. Smiley is a universal counter culture icon with a message of positivity that has influenced generations across the globe. Reinvented and redefined by generations of activists, artists and creators, Smiley continues to thrive and influence future generations.
In 1996 Nicolas Loufrani, son of Franklin, took the helm whilst the world was in the midst of the digital revolution and saw a huge opportunity to bring Smiley into the digital world. Nicolas created a whole new way of communicating, using a variety of facial expressions on the original Smiley to convey emotions. His emoticons are now used by everyone around the world every day.
Pursuing Smiley's goal to make the world a happier, kinder, more conscious place, Loufrani created Smiley Movement in 2017. Smiley Movement is a non-profit community which aims to inspire positive change in society addressing urgent societal and environmental problems. Smiley Movement provides a cross-media platform of news, videos, events and awards that connect the non-profit sector to the broader public to enlighten minds and empower people to take positive action.
Today, The Smiley Company is one of the world's top global licensing enterprises that extends across fashion and homewares, through to food and beverage and continues to embrace collaboration as an opportunity to spread this important message. For 2022 Smiley will bring back its original message of 'Take the Time to Smile' which is still as relevant as ever, by spreading this positive message through global activations, brand collaborations and feel good experiences. More than an icon, brand and lifestyle, Smiley is a spirit and philosophy and a reminder of how powerful a smile can be.
