Traditional rivals cats and dogs have struck a detente of sorts, now that America's favorite puppy Blue and Japan's famed feline Hello Kitty are coming together to develop new products in the Japanese market.

Leigh Anne Brodsky, president of Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products, was in Tokyo recently to announce the deal with Sanrio Co., creator of Hello Kitty. The exclusive colicensing agreement aims to launch joint Blue and Hello Kitty products in Japan by next spring.

Nickelodeon is a major producer of children's television in the United States, including the hit show "Blue's Clues," which has won over young fans in other countries as well.