PROJECT RUNWAY SIGNS UNPRECEDENTED LICENSING AGREEMENTS FOR UPCOMING SEASON 4 OF THE EMMY-NOMINATED HIT FASHION DESIGN COMPETITION SERIES
Licensing Partners Include: Aaron Company, Brother International, Prym Consumer, Robert Kaufman Fabrics, Simplicity Pattern Co
NEW YORK, NEW YORK (August 21, 2007) � The Weinstein Company is pleased to announce that they have completed five multi-year licensing agreements with category partners to coincide with the airing of the fourth season of the Emmy-nominated hit fashion design competition series, PROJECT RUNWAY. This marks the first time PROJECT RUNWAY has extended the brand with a series of licensing partners in consumer products. The licensees include Aaron Company, Brother International, Prym Consumer, Robert Kaufman Fabrics, and Simplicity Pattern Co. The partners are currently developing collateral, for both in store and online that will expand the PROJECT RUNWAY brand into retail channels globally.
The PROJECT RUNWAY licensing program was structured by ACI Licensing on behalf of The Weinstein Company. The announcement was made today by Harvey Weinstein, Co-Chairman of The Weinstein Company.
Pam Henning, SVP, Global Integrated Marketing at The Weinstein Company stated, "As we expand the footprint of the Project Runway brand, we are excited to make the shows fashion and design experience accessible to consumers worldwide with specialized products and tools. This marks one of the most comprehensive consumer product licensing programs ever launched by a reality television series. We've seen how Project Runway resonates with consumers and with the show's tremendous reach and credibility within the fashion community, it is a natural platform for brand extensions."
"PROJECT RUNWAY is an amazing property with a fashion forward point of view. This exciting new line of products is the result of a collaboration between The Weinstein Company and the industry's top manufacturer's." says ACI Licensing's Managing Principals, Charles D. Mamiye and Andy Cohan.
The PROJECT RUNWAY branded products will be in the following categories jewelry, sewing patterns, fashion fabric as well as sewing machinery and notions. Details about the specific products and retail dates will be announced in the Fall prior to the season 4 premiere of PROJECT RUNWAY.
ABOUT THE PARTNERS:
AARON COMPANY
Aaron Company is a leader in the development, design and creation of fashion jewelry and accessories. From the designers, sales team, marketing staff to the overseas manufacturing contacts, the company specializes in providing unique, innovative designs at value pricing. For more information please visit: www.aaroncompany.com
BROTHER INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
Brother International Corporation has earned its reputation as a leading supplier of innovative products for the home sewing enthusiast. Through a growing network of sewing machine dealers and retail outlets nationwide, Brother offers a full line of home sewing machines, from basic to top-of-the-line sewing and embroidery machines. The company is recognized for its high-quality, state-of-the-art machines and accessories, offering ease-of-use and flexibility at affordable prices.
Brother is a wholly owned subsidiary of Brother Industries Limited. With worldwide sales approaching $ 5 billion dollars, this global manufacturer and sales company started almost 100 years ago by sewing fanatics.
Brother offers a diversified product line that includes fax machines, Multi-Function Center� machines, P-touch� Labeling Systems and both color and black/white laser printers for home, office and industry.
For more information please visit: www.brother.com
PRYM CONSUMER
Prym Consumer is the world's leading supplier of tools and accessories for sewing, fashion embellishment and quilting projects. As a division of William Prym Group located in Stolberg, Germany, it remains forefront in the leading technology for offering quality products and marketing innovation worldwide. For more information please visit: www.dritz.com
ROBERT KAUFMAN FABRICS
Designer fabrics for the creative sewer.
Founded in 1942, this Los Angeles-based fabric manufacturer wholesales to the home sewing retail and manufacturing markets, with customers including manufacturers of finished goods, such as apparel, bedding and accessories, and retail customers whose end-users comprise home apparel and craft sewers. For more information please visit: www.robertkaufman.com
SIMPLICITY PATTERN CO.
Simplicity Pattern Co. Inc. designs, produces, markets, and distributes sewing patterns for consumers who love to sew. Founded in 1927, Simplicity is headquartered in New York City where the design, patternmaking, sample making and instructional departments reside. Pattern production and distribution are currently located in a company facility in Niles, Michigan.
Passionate about the brand's heritage, the staff at Simplicity today uses the foundation of the brand as a launch pad to drive more fashion forward looks and more heavily constructed designs, knowing the instructions will provide consumer sewing satisfaction. Consumer's look to Simplicity for up to the minute looks to sew and design concepts to customize and make their very own
For more information please visit: www.simplicity.com
ABOUT PROJECT RUNWAY
PROJECT RUNWAY gives aspiring designers a chance to break into the notoriously difficult-to-crack fashion world. Each week, a designer is eliminated from the competition after exhibiting their work in front of the panel of judges. The second and third seasons of this breakout series have generated critical acclaim and record ratings. The series has consistently been the top show on cable on Wednesdays among key demographics and has shattered the records set by the finale of season one. The series airs on Bravo and has been Wednesday's number one show on cable among adults 18-49.
The Weinstein Company and Miramax are co-producing the show through their co-financing agreement. The Weinstein Company is the lead studio and is handling worldwide distribution. PROJECT RUNWAY is executive produced by Dan Cutforth, Jane Lipsitz and Rich Bye of Magical Elves ("Project Greenlight," "Last Comic Standing," "Top Chef"). Heidi Klum, Desiree Gruber and Jane Cha of NYC-based Full Picture also executive produce the series. Barbara Schneeweiss oversees the production on behalf of The Weinstein Company. For more information please visit: www.projectrunway.com
ABOUT ACI
ACI Licensing, LLC, creates and manages brand licensing programs. Some of our team's current programs include Monique Lhuillier, the TV show "Project "Runway, Daisy Fuentes at Kohls, Ashley Judd at Goody's Family Clothing, and Constance Marie at Mervyns. Managed by Co-Presidents, Andy Cohan and Charles D. Mamiye, ACI Licensing is headquartered in Los Angeles. For more information about PRW licensing opportunities please call Jennifer Flynn at 310-806-9480.
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