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**Coffee marketers have a new weapon to call on in their push to stay on top of the fiercely competitive coffee market: 'Coffeenies'.

**Coffeenies are plush coffee bean characters shaped in the likeness of coffee beans with flexible arms and legs, scented with coffee fragrance and sit in packaging designed like a coffee cup.

In addition to the current range, nearly two dozen coffee bean characters are in the pipeline. Furthermore, customised characters are available and company logos can be added.

The seven characters include: Espresso with a saucy mustache and red beret, Cappuccino has a frothy white cap and tutu, Cafe Latte is dressed in a cowhide vest, Hula Bean wears a flower lei on her head and ankle, Biker Bean sports a do-rag and black vest, Coffee Lover has red lips and a heart, Heavenly Brew has gold angel wings and a halo.

The eight-inch plush toy characters retail for $7.95 in coffee shops and are also available online.

"With the coffee industry exploding in growth and competition, Coffeenies are ideal for a major coffee brand or retailer to use for a marketing promotion to bring their brand to life," said Jill Duggan, creator of Coffeenies.

Beyond plush caricatures, Coffeenies can be licensed for animation to be used in internet banner ads supported by character merchandise to drive retail foot traffic.