Warner Bros. Consumer Products kicks off Licensing 2005 International with a multi-pronged, worldwide licensing program surrounding DC Comics’ celebrated Superman brand and the S-Shield icon — universally recognized as a symbol of strength and style.
“Superman is unique as a franchise brand in the world of entertainment licensing. He stands as the World’s Greatest Super Hero and, with the S-Shield, as one of the world’s most acclaimed and influential pop culture icons,” said Brad Globe, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Warner Bros. Worldwide Consumer Products. “The strength of these attributes will allow our partners to capture the essence of this property as a character and a brand.”
With a super hero that transcends all demographics, a solid S-Shield business and a new feature film from Warner Bros. Pictures, Superman Returns, slated for release on June 30, 2006, Warner Bros. Consumer Products positions the franchise for a worldwide resurgence in 2005 and beyond. Superman will reach new heights as one cohesive licensing program inspired by both Superman as a character and the S-Shield as a stand-alone symbol. Warner Bros. Consumer Products and its licensees will create merchandise that reinforces what is cool about Superman and what makes him different from other super heroes.
Superman is famed in many different forms including illustrated comic books, cartoons, movies, home video, television (animated and live-action), video games and more. Mattel, the global master toy partner for the property, will introduce a new line of products inspired by the highly anticipated live-action feature film, as well as the core brand. The S-Shield, which continues to be a fashion symbol and hot trend with high-end apparel being placed in upscale retailers nationwide, has become a personal statement of strength and confidence. The release of the film will broaden the reach of the property even further and drive product category expansion for Superman as a brand.
“From high-flying super heroes, Superman and Batman, to the world’s greatest entertainment franchises and characters including Harry Potter, Scooby-Doo and the Looney Tunes, we continue to create licensing programs inspired by a roster of properties made up of world-class brands. Film, television and character brands allow us to offer licensees and promotional partners virtually limitless opportunities,” concluded Globe.
At Licensing 2005 International, Warner Bros. Consumer Products will present an extensive feature film and television roster that will soar including big screen favorites Batman Begins, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “The Dukes of Hazzard,” “Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride,” “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” Superman Returns, “Happy Feet” and “The Ant Bully,” as well as new and continuing small-screen hits such as, “Firehouse Tales,” Krypto The Superdog, “Xiaolin Showdown,” “Harry and his Bucket Full of Dinosaurs,” Teen Titans, The Batman, “Johnny Test,” “Coconut Fred’s Fruit Salad Island,” “Loonatics Unleashed,” Justice League Unlimited, “The O.C.,” “Sex and the City” and more.
Also at this year’s show the company will highlight new initiatives on behalf of Tweety, the wise-cracking, wide-eyed yellow canary of Looney Tunes fame, as well as its continued extension into the world of Football licensing.
Warner Bros. Consumer Products captures the cheeky cuteness of Tweety while appealing to the fashion sensibility of today’s young female shopper. In May, Tweety flew into two of fashion’s hottest, trend-setting retailers, Kitson and Scoop. Both upscale retailers carried an exclusive collection of clothing and accessories for women based on the animated icon. The collection celebrated Tweety as a “Natural Blonde” and put a new twist on the age-old adage with the theme “Tweety’s Have More Fun!”
Kicking off a major global licensing agreement, AC Milan, one of the most successful and admired European Football clubs, recently announced the appointment of Warner Bros. Consumer Products as its exclusive worldwide licensing representative. Warner Bros. Consumer Products will utilize their creative, licensing and retail expertise to develop a complete range of licensed products.
The AC Milan and Warner Bros. Consumer Products partnership represents the first agreement of its kind between an entertainment company and a football club. Warner Bros. Consumer Products has significant experience in the world of Football with licensing partnerships currently including the Federacion Mexicana de Futbol (Mexican National Team) and the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany(TM). They also recently represented UEFA’s EURO 2004 tournament held in Portugal.
Source: Warner Bros. Consumer Products
