Yoko Ono Appoints Epic Rights Global Licensing Agent For John Lennon

LOS ANGELES, June 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Yoko Ono has entered into a contract for global branding, licensing and rights management with Epic Rights as Global Licensing Agent to develop an innovative global branding and licensing initiative encompassing the career of John Lennon.  The announcement was made today by Yoko Ono and Epic Rights CEO Dell Furano.

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Epic Rights will develop two new programs for the John Lennon legacy: the John Lennon Classic brand for products featuring the artist's name, likeness and signature; and the Bag One Arts brand based on drawings by John Lennon from rare archival sketches. These whimsical, hilarious drawings encompass the years 1964 through 1980 and evoke a sense of harmony and warmth. John Lennon's artwork celebrates human love and communication, including his truly iconic and instantly recognizable self-portrait.  Epic Rights will introduce the new John Lennon programs to potential licensing partners at the June 2014 Licensing Expo in Las Vegas.

As the worldwide merchandise and licensing agent for John Lennon Classic and Bag One Arts, Epic Rights will bring the two separate brands to top tier licensees and retailers around the world.  Both John Lennon Classic and Bag One Arts programs will offer potential licensees the opportunity to incorporate Lennon's photos and images, as well as his sketches, across a broad selection of product categories. To ensure the continued integrity of Lennon's legacy and art, all licensed products will have the personal approval of Yoko Ono.

"Regardless of how we have experienced John Lennon -- through his music, his art, his writings -- he was defined by the message of love and peace, becoming an icon for generations worldwide," said Yoko Ono. "I regard the John Lennon Classic and Bag One Arts licensing programs as another way to honor John's legacy, and I am confident that by working closely with Dell and the Epic Rights team, we will achieve this goal."

Furano says, "We are committed to developing a worldwide licensing program that respects Lennon's beliefs and contributions to humanity, and anticipate strong global consumer demand from existing and new fans who want to connect with John Lennon and his legacy."

About John Lennon and Bag One Arts:

Born and raised in Liverpool, England, as a teenager John Lennon became involved in music, forming his first band, the Quarrymen, which by 1960 had evolved into The Beatles, the most commercially successful band in the history of popular music. Lennon was a visual artist before he picked up his first guitar or wrote his first song. From 1957-60 he studied at the prestigious Liverpool Art Institute. Later he would not only pen but also illustrate three books: In His own Write, A Spaniard In The Works and Skywriting By Word of Mouth.  In 1969, as a wedding gift for Yoko, he began working on a series of drawings called Bag One -- a chronicle of their wedding ceremony, honeymoon and plea for world peace -- The Bed-In. In the years that followed the break-up of The Beatles, Lennon expressed himself once again through drawing, this time reflecting his love for his family. Since 1986 Bag One Arts has published a series of limited edition prints of his work, which have traveled throughout the world.  The Bag One Portfolio is in the permanent collection of The Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

About Epic Rights:

Epic Rights is a full service global branding, licensing and rights management company dedicated to building celebrities and entertainment brands via its broad global network of retailers, licensees and agents. Working with a roster of top clients and brands, Epic Rights' services includes licensing/branding, music merchandising, social media management, VIP ticketing and fan clubs. 

Epic Rights also oversees sponsorships and endorsements, digital archiving of all creative/photos/media assets and manages worldwide e-commerce for its clients in addition to providing in-house legal resources for trademark registration and audit management.  Epic Rights is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. 

For more information, visit: www.epicrights.com

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SOURCE Epic Rights