The Estate Of Michael Jackson And ABG Partner To Expand The Michael Jackson™ Brand Worldwide

NEW YORK, April 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Authentic Brands Group, LLC (ABG), owner of a global portfolio of iconic fashion, sports, celebrity, media and entertainment brands, and the Estate of Michael Jackson today announced a strategic partnership to further grow the Michael Jackson™ brand in the areas of endorsements and consumer products. ABG will provide global representation for Michael Jackson™, pursuing new licensing and retail partnerships working with the Estate to broaden the brand's reach across key markets around the world.

"We are truly honored to welcome the King of Pop to Authentic Brands Group," said Jamie Salter, Chairman and CEO, ABG. "Michael Jackson™ joins ABG's star-studded roster that includes Muhammad Ali™, Elvis Presley™, and Marilyn Monroe™. We are excited to tap into the essence of this innovator and amplify the DNA of this legendary entertainer."  

ABG enhances its celebrity, media, and entertainment portfolio through strategic alliances with leading global brands. ABG will take a similar approach working with the Estate on the Michael Jackson™ brand, focusing on endorsement partnerships and developing key categories to deliver products that are unexpected, bold, and innovative.

"We are thrilled to be working with ABG on the continued development of the Michael Jackson™ brand," said John Branca and John McClain, Co-Executors of the Estate of Michael Jackson™. "With a proven track record in transforming icons into global entities, we are confident that ABG will help us take the Michael Jackson™ brand to the next level."

Michael Jackson was a musical and creative genius.  He personified innovation and he has revolutionized so many aspects of his art, from electrifying live performances to groundbreaking use of video. Michael Jackson launched a new era of creativity in live stage performances that continues to influence today's top artists in hip hop, contemporary R&B, pop, and rock and roll.  

"As a visionary solo artist, Michael Jackson redefined the art of entertainment," said Nick Woodhouse, President and CMO, ABG. "We have great things in-store for the brand and will take a page out of ABG's Celebrity, Media, and Entertainment playbook to build global strategic partnerships that will extend Michael Jackson's tremendous legacy."

About Authentic Brands Group, LLC
Authentic Brands Group owns a global portfolio of iconic fashion, sports, celebrity, media and entertainment brands. In conjunction with Leonard Green & Partners, ABG's mandate is to acquire, develop, and elevate long-term value in consumer, celebrity, and media brands. Headquartered in New York City, ABG's mission is to further enhance brand equity through partnering with best-in-class licensees and retailers. ABG's global portfolio of world-renowned brands includes Marilyn Monroe®, Mini Marilyn®, Muhammad Ali®, Michael Jackson® (managed brand), Elvis Presley®, Jones New York®, Juicy Couture®, Judith Leiber®, Adrienne Vittadini®, Taryn Rose®, Hickey Freeman®, Hart Schaffner Marx®, Palm Beach®, Misook®, Prince®, Spyder®, Airwalk®, Above The Rim®, Vision Street Wear®, Hind®, Ektelon®, Viking®, Bobby Jones®, TapouT®, Sportcraft®.
www.abg-nyc.com.

About The Estate of Michael Jackson
Following in Michael's footsteps, the Estate of Michael Jackson, co-owner of Sony/ATV Music Publishing, has produced a growing list of artistically exceptional and enormously successful ventures, the first of which, "Michael Jackson's This is It" became the highest grossing music documentary of all time. A history making touring show produced with Cirque du Soleil, Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour, played 4 continents, 157 cities, was seen by 3.7 million fans and became the #8 top grossing tour of all time.  The second venture between the Estate and Cirque du Soleil, the critically acclaimed Michael Jackson ONE, a permanent show at Mandalay Bay Las Vegas, gave Cirque its biggest opening ever in Las Vegas and continues to be one of the hottest tickets in the city.  Last year, The Estate astounded the world with the technical wizardry of a 'virtual Michael Jackson' performance during the Billboard Music Awards, which gave the show its biggest ratings in years and was the most talked about topic on the planet for weeks to come and released Xscape, the second posthumous release of previously unreleased music by Michael Jackson, which become one the top ten albums of 2014 and is nominated for top R&B album at the upcoming Billboard Music Awards.
www.michaeljackson.com.

Haley Steinberg
Authentic Brands Group
646.612.7439
[email protected]

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150429/212452

SOURCE Authentic Brands Group