Play Along Toys is a Florida-based toy company, and a wholly owned division of Jakks Pacific. In 1999, the founders of Play Along (among them Charlie Emby and Jay Foreman) chose the Britney Spears Doll line as the first licensing venture with their new company. The choice proved successful and was followed by other celebrity dolls including Aaron Carter, Venus Williams, Serena Williams and Mandy Moore. In 2001 Play Along partnered with toy design studio Art Asylum for production of the studio's toys. Then, in 2002, Play Along decided to bring back one of the plush doll lines of the 1980s, the Care Bears. This brand, for which Play Along was awarded "License of the Year 2002" by the Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA).