Licensing Silver Star
New York–based Authentic Brands Group, which recently purchased mixed-martial-arts brands Tapout and Silver Star, announced new licensing agreements for the Silver Star Casting Co. and Iron Star labels. The new deals are part of Authentic Brands’ strategy to move both Silver Star and Tapout beyond the MMA category to become lifestyle brands. Kids Headquarters, a division of Li & Fung’s U.S. arm, LF USA, will design, produce and distribute the Silver Star and Iron Star collections beginning for Fall 2011. LF USA holds licenses for Ecko, Calvin Klein, Timberland, Hurley and Under Armour. Concept One—which produces for Sean John, Levi’s and Ecko—landed the U.S. license for hats and bags under the Silver Star and Iron Star brands. In the Southern Hemisphere, Atomic will represent the brand in Australia and New Zealand, and Spike Apparel will represent the brand in South Africa. Atomic represents Rockstar Energy Drink and Osiris footwear, and Spike has developed Ecko, Ecko Red, Zoo York and Hudson Jeans for the South African market. ABG is based in New York with offices in Los Angeles and Toronto. In addition to Tapout and Silver Star, the company also owns Hitman Fight Gear and Sinister Brand and manages the merchandise-licensing programs for the Bob Marley family of brands.
