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  • Kakao Friends expands to Europe with IMG

    Kakao Friends expands to Europe with IMG

    Korean mobile lifestyle platform company Kakao has associated with IMG to exclusively license its character brand Kakao Friends in Europe.

    Originating from South Korea’s leading messenger platform Kakao Talk, Kakao Friends’ characters have gained millions of fans with its charisma and unique personalities. As K-pop culture has become a global phenomenon, Kakao Friends decided to enter Europe markets by launching an European online store to reach its global fans.

    Eight Kakao Friends’ characters have already collaborated with some of premium brands such as Louis Vuitton or Nike. There will be approximately 30 Kakao Friends stores opened in South Korea and Japan in the future.

    “Having already connected emotionally with millions of fans and aspirational brands, Kakao Friends is a leading K-POP culture export and is powerfully on trend in Europe,” said Matthew Primack, senior vice president of licensing at IMG. “Now is the perfect time for a social and culturally rich lifestyle brand like Kakao Friends to explore new product opportunities that reflect its unique identity and booming popularity.”

    Kakao Friends in Europe will primarily feature apparel and accessories, homeware with future extension into additional categories.

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  • Laura Ashley appoints IMG as licensing partner for China

    Laura Ashley appoints IMG as licensing partner for China

    Fashion and home-furnishings retailer Laura Ashley has appointed IMG to exclusively license the brand in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

    Home decor and furnishings will be the initial core focus for Laura Ashley’s entry into Mainland China with future extensions into women’s apparel, fashion accessories, and personal care – all product areas that the Laura Ashley brand has developed over the course of its history in the UK, Europe and the US.

    “We are delighted to have appointed IMG on an exclusive basis to help us develop our brand presence in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan,” said Laura Ashley COO Sean Anglim. “We look forward to working closely with IMG to build a strong and sustainable business in these territories over the years to come.”

    “The Laura Ashley brand is loved around the world for its quintessentially English heritage and romantic floral designs,” said IMG president of licensing Bruno Maglione. “China has long been the furniture production capital of the world for export, but now with urbanization and a growing middle class, expenditure in home furnishings and decor has become an increasing priority of the Chinese consumer. This is an ideal time for a brand like Laura Ashley to enter the market with its distinctive design aesthetic.”

    Increased purchasing power in China has led to the growth of the furniture market, according to the National Bureau of Statistics – total sales of furniture manufacturing enterprises grew 10 percent year-on-year to more than US$130 billion in 2017.