Latin World Entertainment Launches New Licensing Division With Sofia Vergara (Modern Family) Clothing Collection for Kmart

MIAMI, Jan. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Latin World Entertainment (LWE), the premier Hispanic talent management and entertainment marketing firm in the United States, headed by founder and Chairman of the Board Luis Balaguer, today announced the formation of its new licensing division, Latin World Licensing. LWE is joining forces with veteran licensing executive Nancy Overfield-Delmar and prominent apparel executive Paul A. Robb for this endeavor.

Overfield-Delmar will serve as President and Robb will be Chief Operating Officer of Latin World Licensing. LWE's first licensing deal will introduce a clothing and accessories collection by Sofia Vergara (star of ABC's "Modern Family"), created exclusively for Kmart.

Market studies have shown that Hispanics shop more frequently and pay more attention to advertising than non-Hispanics. According to initial findings from the 2010 U.S. Census survey, 51 percent of the total U.S. population growth from 2000 to 2010 came from Hispanics, who now total over 50 million people with $1 trillion in buying power.  

"Because the Hispanic market is growing at an unprecedented rate and Hispanic consumers are known to be exceptionally receptive to celebrity endorsements and branding, it is the perfect time for LWE to expand into the licensing industry. We have the unique ability to combine our Hispanic celebrity brands and intimate knowledge of the market with the licensing, manufacturing and retail expertise of our partners, Nancy Overfield-Delmar and Paul Robb," said Luis Balaguer. "As a full-service agency, we can provide a valuable service to businesses looking to capture the thriving Hispanic market, while broadening the opportunities for our talent as well."

"I am thrilled to partner with the leaders in Hispanic talent and entertainment, Luis Balaguer and his company, LWE, in this exciting new business venture," stated Nancy Overfield-Delmar. "Hispanic celebrity licenses and endorsements have proven to be an extremely effective marketing tool, and we are eager to leverage LWE's star power to create extraordinary business opportunities for companies throughout the U.S."

Paul Robb added, "Latin World Licensing is uniquely positioned in the expanding licensing industry. The representation of LWE talent and film/ TV properties provides a highly sought-after service aligned with the meteoric growth and influence of the U.S. Hispanic consumer market. As a former apparel executive, my business mission was to identify emerging markets that can provide increased market share and revenues. Latin World Licensing is perfectly poised to identify opportunities and provide effective solutions for a wide range of businesses."

The Sofia Vergara Collection will be introduced in Kmart stores nationwide in the fall of 2011. Latin World Licensing is currently negotiating other major licensing deals involving top-notch stars and opinion makers on the LWE talent roster.

About LWE

Latin World Entertainment (LWE) is the premier Hispanic talent management and entertainment marketing firm in the United States. Founded in 1998 by Luis Balaguer and Sofia Vergara, and headed by Balaguer (President) and Diana Mejia-Jones (CEO), LWE has grown from a management agency for top Hispanic talent to a multi-service company offering a 360 degree approach that includes public relations, endorsements, promotions, brand integration, production, content development, and licensing. LWE represents the biggest stars, opinion makers and trendsetters in the Spanish speaking entertainment world and leverages that star power to take brands and products directly into the burgeoning Hispanic market. In addition, the firm has successfully marketed over 500 major Hollywood studio films to U.S. Hispanics, promoted top Spanish-language music tours for the largest live entertainment companies in the U.S., and created and produced branded entertainment programs featuring LWE talent for various Fortune 500 companies. For more information, please visit www.latinwe.com.

SOURCE Latin World Entertainment