New York (January 7, 2013) – Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: ICON) today announced it has appointed Leigh Anne Brodsky to the position of Managing Director of Peanuts Worldwide, a joint venture with Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates.  In her new role, which is effective immediately, Brodsky will oversee the global business for the Peanuts property, including the launch of the recently announced 2015 feature film from Twentieth Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios.  She will also oversee and develop the Iconix Entertainment division as well as seek out properties for the Company’s growing portfolio of brands.
“Leigh Anne is a highly regarded strategic thinker, with a track record in identifying and developing entertainment properties and delivering impeccable results,” said Neil Cole, Chairman and CEO of Iconix Brand Group. “As we continue to build our global Peanuts business, her experience and leadership will be invaluable.  We also believe she can successfully build a stable of entertainment based properties with potential new revenue streams that will expand our business.”
A licensing professional for more than 20 years, Brodsky is well known for her role as President at Nickelodeon Consumer Products, where she built the division into the world’s number-one TV-based licensing business.  Those properties included SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora The Explorer, Blue’s Clues, Comedy Central’s South Park, and MTV’s Jersey Shore, as well as several strategic acquisitions that she initiated such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Beatrix Potter.  Earlier in her career, she worked with such iconic entertainment properties as Saturday Night Live, Lassie and Garfield. 
Brodsky has been recognized by the industry for her leadership and expertise and in 2011 was selected for induction into the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association’s (LIMA) Hall of Fame, which honors a very select group of licensing veterans who have made unique and outstanding contributions to the business.  Most recently, she has been an acting member of the Board of Directors at Jakks Pacific a Board Member of the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation and President of L.A.B Licensing and Branding, a global consulting group dedicated to identifying consumer-led, innovative business opportunities for its clients in the areas of branding, strategic planning, programming, production, marketing, and consumer products.
“I’m excited to take a leadership role with the beloved cast of Peanuts once again,” said Brodsky, who previously worked on the property as an executive with United Media Enterprises.  “I’m also delighted to work with Neil Cole and the Iconix team to build upon their powerful portfolio of global brands.”
PEANUTS Worldwide
The PEANUTS characters and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide LLC, a joint venture owned 80% by Iconix Brand Group, Inc. and 20% by members of the Charles M. Schulz family. Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ICON) owns, licenses and markets a growing portfolio of consumer brands including CANDIE’S (R), BONGO (R), BADGLEY MISCHKA (R), JOE BOXER (R), RAMPAGE (R), MUDD (R), MOSSIMO (R), LONDON FOG (R), OCEAN PACIFIC (R), DANSKIN (R), ROCAWEAR (R), CANNON (R), ROYAL VELVET (R), FIELDCREST (R), CHARISMA (R), STARTER (R), WAVERLY (R), ZOO YORK (R), and SHARPER IMAGE (R). In addition, Iconix owns interests in the ARTFUL DODGER (R), ECKO (R), MARC ECKO (R), ED HARDY (R) MATERIAL GIRL (R), PEANUTS (R), and TRUTH OR DARE brands. The Company licenses its brands to a network of leading retailers and manufacturers that touch every major segment of retail distribution from the luxury market to the mass market in both the U.S. and worldwide. Through its in-house business development, merchandising, advertising and public relations departments Iconix manages its brands to drive greater consumer awareness and equity.
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