When a brand represents a country.
Hello Kitty has been one Japan's global success stories since she launched in 1974.
Originally created as a coin purse, she was quickly and wisely introduced to the huge US market in 1976.
Sanrio, the company behind Hello Kitty chose her to be British as Britain was particularly trendy in Japan at the time and they already had several US Characters.
It is said that Hello Kitty doesn't have a mouth because they want people to empathise with her and be happy or sad together with Hello Kitty.
Another explanation Sanrio has given for her lack of a mouth is that she "speaks from the heart.
By her 40th birthday in 2014, Hello Kitty was worth around $7 billion a year and this is without any advertising spend.
From airlines, cafes, toys and other merchandise she has done pretty well for herself especially as she never smiles.....
What other brands do you associate with a particular country?