Authentic Brands Group is a brand development and licensing company. In conjunction with parent company Leonard Green & Partners, its mandate is to acquire, manage, and build long-term value in prominent consumer brands. President and CEO Jamie Salter discusses how the company started to build its brand stable by acquiring various brands related to mixed martial arts, including TapouT, Silver Star, and Sinister.
I Love Lucy celebrates its 60th anniversary this year with new anniversary-themed products and two live events.
Over the past few months, aNb Media has been speaking with manufacturers from the Halloween industry. The December issue of Toys & Family Entertainment included an analysis on the three major Halloween-related trade shows in the U.S. The largest of the three shows—Halloween & Party Expo—was held in January in Houston and feedback from the show has been positive.
Earlier this year, Sony Online Entertainment released DC Universe Online. As publisher and developer of the game for PC and PS3, Sony is immersing fans in the DC world.
The tagline is “YOU are the Next Legend,” as players navigate through their own story fighting to save or rule the DC Universe. Of course, players can don the guises of well-known DC characters in this 30-level game. The game is rated T for Teens, meaning it depicts mild blood, language, violence, and mildly suggestive themes.
Sony Online Entertainment explained some of the marketing and licensing efforts that are underway for the game.
aNb Media is working with Kiddie-i-Oh!, a market research and consulting firm specializing in kids and moms. Four times this year, we will visit with three families from three different parts of the country and document the findings in upcoming issues of Toys & Family Entertainment. In the first article, in the March issue, we’ll explore how the recession, along with the rise of technology, has impacted their lives. The March issue is now on our website. Visit page 24 for the full story.
FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) has undergone numerous changes as of late. The company is in acquisition mode. It has made management changes to support FME’s focus on the expansion of third-party brand representation, children’s programming and brand development, live events, digital content creation, and gaming initiatives. David Luner, the newly appointed executive vice-president of consumer products, interactive and mobile, FremantleMedia Enterprises North Americas, spoke with Royaltie$ about the company’s evolution.
The recession took a toll on the licensed housewares category. But now licensors are getting back into the game, and consumers are once again shopping for high-quality, branded housewares.
In 1996, mother Julie Aigner-Clark shot the first Baby Einstein video in her basement in Georgia. She did this for one simple reason—she wanted to share her love of the arts with her baby. Clark then began producing and selling the videos. By the end of the decade, a line of videos/DVDs, books, and CDs were available at retail. In addition, an online store was launched, which was still a relatively new concept at that time. In 2001, Disney acquired The Baby Einstein Company. Since then the brand has grown by leaps and bounds through licensing. It is now considered one of the must-haves for new parents. However, the brand is evolving to address the needs of a new generation of parents. Once known primarily for its DVDs, Baby Einstein will now be sold as a kit, which will include a DVD, CD, and either a board book or cards (depending on the kit).
Art Impressions represents intellectual property owners such as artists, illustrators, designers, photographers, manufacturers, publishers, and celebrities. Among the properties the agency represents is SO SO Happy. Cindy Bailey, CEO of Art Impressions, discusses launching the property and establishing it in the marketplace.
SO SO Happy is a character-based brand featuring robots, monster-like creatures, and those that fall under the category of “odditees.” The SO SO Happy website describes the brand’s mission as embracing individuality, building self confidence, and inspiring positivity and acceptance among all beings—real or imagined.