WNBAPA Makes Licensing Push

The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBAPA) signed three agreements, the first since REP (Representing Every Player) Worldwide began representing the group last fall.  Strideline (socks), Build-A-Head (player face cutouts) and Original Retro Brand (co-branded t-shirts and hoodies with a player’s college name and number) are expected to deliver product by fall. Original Retro’s line will start with players from the University of Connecticut, Delaware, Tennessee, Baylor and Notre Dame.

REP Worldwide was formed late last year as a “partnership” among NFL Players Inc., the WNBAPA and the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team Players Association.

Meanwhile, the soccer players group also signed agreements with Strideline and Build-A-Head and added Ruffneck (scarves) as it ramps up licensing in advance of the 2019 Women’s FIFA World Cup.

Contacts:

REP Worldwide, Steve Scebelo, 202-572-7472, steven.scebelo@nflpa.com

Executives

The Evode Group Chief Commercial Officer Charlotte Clisby shifts to Business Development Board Advisor… Donna Tobin, ex-Hasbro, forms Sky-D8 marketing and consulting firm… Sally Fielding, ex-Heart and Home, joins plush toy supplier Posh Paws as Sales Director… Tom Carmona. Ex-MadGlory, named Business Development Mgr. at Bluehole Studios/PUBG, developer of the PlayersUnknown’s Battlegrounds.

Contacts:

The Evode Group, Charlotte Clisby, Chief Commercial Officer, charlotte@evodegroup.com

Posh Paws, Sally Fielding, Sales Dir., +44 1268 567317

Sky-D8, Donna Tobin, CEO, info@sky-d8.com

PUBG, Tom Carmona, Business Development Mgr., 518-265-2041

 Conagra Buys Pinnacle Foods $10.9 Billion

Conagra Brands agreed to to buy Pinnacle Foods for $10.9 billion in an acquisition that potentially returns the company to the licensing business.. Conagra shed much its licensing business in 2016 when it spun off its Lamb Weston frozen foods business, which included licenses with Nathan’s, Red Robin and other restaurant chains for French fries and onion rings. In addition to its own brands ( Birds Eye, Duncan Hines, Hungry-Man, Lenders, Vlasic), Pinnacle has royalty-free perpetual licensing agreements with PepsiCo/Quaker Oats (Aunt Jemima frozen breakfast products) and Campbell Soup Co. (Swanson frozen foods). Pinnacle also has a royalty-bearing pact with Smithfield Foods (Armour canned meat) that carries a $250,000 guarantee. Pinnacle Foods had $3.14 billion in annual revenue in fiscal 2017 ended Dec. 31 and the combined company will have $12 billion. Among the overlaps between the companies would be in frozen meals where it will have Swanson and Hungry-Man brands.

Contacts:

Conagra Brands, David Marberger, CFO, 312-549-5000, david.marberger@conagra.com

Pinnacle Foods, Craig Steeneck, CFO, 973-541-6620

BJ’s Wholesale Club Expanding Private-Label Business

BJ’s Wholesale Club’s private label business generated $2.4 billion in revenue in the year ended Feb. 3, up from $2.2 billion a year earlier, the retailer said in an SEC filing for an upcoming IPO. The brands — Wellsley Farms (coffee, dairy, ready-to-eat meals) and Berkley Jensen (juices, nuts, dried fruit, Pretzels) – accounted for 19% of total revenue of $12.7 billion. The company plans to open 10-15 stores annually through 2023 and has six distribution centers, enough to support up to 100 additional locations on the East Coast of the U.S., it said. It currently has 215 stores across 16 states. BJ’s net income rose 13.7% to $50.3 million in the most recent year, as revenue increased 5.4% to $12.7 billion on a 0.8% gain in same-store sales. It’s seeking to go public for a second time after having been taken private in 2011 by Leonard Green & Partners and CVC Capital Partners. BJ’s opened trading today at $17 in selling 37.5 million shares that generated $637.5 million in proceeds. The stock rose to $21.25 and closed today at $22.06.

Contact:

BJ’s Wholesale Club, Robert Eddy, CFO, 774-512-6186

Agencies

Former GB eye executive Max Arguile’s Reemsborko agency will represent the Bill and Ted franchise across the UK and Europe. Reemsborko, working with Creative Licensing Corp. which handles licensing for the brand in the U.S. and international markets, will seek to extend the franchise into food, beverages and apparel. Reemsborko’s hiring comes as MGM’s Orion Pictures starts pre-production on Bill & Ted Face The Music, the film in a franchise that started with the release of Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure in 1989… Tycoon Enterprises is handling licensing for Valiant in Mexico for the Harbinger, Bloodshot and X-O Manowar properties.

Contact:

Reemsborko, Max Arguile, Owner, reemsborko@gmail.com

Valiant, Russell Brown, Pres. Consumer Products, Promotions and Ad Sales, 212-972-0361 x422

Tycoon Enterprises, Elias Fasja Cohen, Pres., +52 55 5395 7833

 Naked Brand Group, Bendon Limited Complete Merger

Naked Brand Group and Bendon Limited completed their merger, bringing Stella McCartney- and Heidi Klum-licensed swimwear and lingerie under the Bendon Group Holding banner. Naked Brand previously also had an underwear licensing deal with NBA star Dwayne Wade.

Contact:

Bendon Group Holding, Carol Hochman, Executive Chairman, 212-851-8050