FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Karen Strickholm for Paramount Licensing
June 02, 2009 505-988-4401
StrickholmCompany@msn.com
Mark Kaminky for VIP Partnership
630-717-8110
mkaminky@vippartnership.com
HOLLYWOOD, CA -- Paramount Licensing has signed an agreement with VIP Partnership, a leading operator of entertainment-related online stores, to develop and manage a Paramount branded online store, it was announced today by Michael Corcoran, president, Paramount Consumer Products and Recreation Group.
The store will carry merchandise based on upcoming films, popular studio library titles and the iconic Paramount logo. Merchandise will be available from licensees also distributing at brick-and-mortar retail, as well as products developed exclusively for the site. VIP may also develop both free and paid fan clubs for Paramount and select movies. In addition to products from existing licensees, VIP also plans to produce customized products, including t-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, drinkware including cups, mugs and glasses, mouse pads, sticker decals, bumper stickers and key chains. The Paramount online store, www.paramountstore.com, is slated to launch in Summer, 2009.
“Increasingly, consumers want and expect brands to be available for purchase online as well as through traditional channels,” said Corcoran, commenting on the deal. “By creating a comprehensive, one-stop-shopping online destination for fans of our films, we are accomplishing a number of goals – providing our licensees with another outlet to sell their product, creating a distribution platform for additional products that consumers want but may be too niche for traditional retail, and enhancing our overall online presence. The online store and fan clubs will also help expand awareness of our stand-out brands such as THE GODFATHER, which benefits all sales platforms – online, direct to consumer and traditional mass market and specialty retail.”
Mark Kaminky managing partner of VIP Partnership Group, said, "Paramount has been a leader in the film industry since its inception in 1912. Its long and proud tradition combined with VIP's online retailing experience and market leading fan relations programs will allow fans to buy merchandise and to enjoy the kind of fan based offerings that they would expect from this historic movie studio."
About Paramount Licensing
Paramount Licensing handles licensing rights worldwide for properties of Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movies. Paramount Licensing has established robust licensing programs for Paramount's extensive library of films and current releases through merchandise, stage plays, publishing, and recreation programs. Visit Paramount Licensing at www.paramountlicensing.com.
About VIP Partnership
VIP is the leading provider of affinity based programs for entertainment properties broadcast and distributed by major media companies such as ABC, CBS, NBC Universal, Twentieth Century Fox, Paramount, FX Network and Liberty Media. VIP's turnkey programs allow media companies to reach their fans in an interactive manner that builds fan awareness, loyalty and revenue. Since its inception in 2001, VIP has deployed its fan programs, including fan stores, custom fan merchandise, collectible prop and wardrobe auctions, and fan clubs, to create profitable connections among entertainment entities and their fans. Visit VIP at www.vippartnership.com.
