Authentic Brands Buys Elvis Trademark

Authentic Brands Group has added to its celebrity roster, that already includes Marilyn Monroe, by acquiring the intellectual property of Elvis Presley and Graceland as well as Muhammad Ali.

ABG acquired the assets from CORE Media Group and will own and manage the Elvis Presley brand alongside the Presley family and Joel Weinshanker, chairman and founder of National Entertainment Collectibles Association. The Ali brand will be managed with Weinshanker and with the Ali's family.

Nick Woodhouse, president of ABG, said: "We have the sexiest woman of all time, now we have the undisputed Greatest of All Time and the King of Rock 'n' Roll."

He added that CORE was "much further along" with its branding for Presley and Ali than the former owners of the Marilyn Monroe estate, "so we believe we can dovetail nicely onto the existing business." He said ABG expects to sign its first licenses for the brands "within 14 days.

Accroding to the terms of the deal, Lisa Marie Presley will continue to own Graceland, but will work with ABG on the "licensing and merchandising aspect of this business," she said.

ABG will gain the global rights to a library of Presley's photographic imagery, including artwork, album covers and movie posters; video and audio assets, including television appearances and music specials; his name and likeness; and other assets, including the rights to major Elvis-themed events such as Elvis Week.

ABG also acquired the global rights to Ali's photographic images as well as movies and videos, his name and likeness and trademark phrases like: "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee," and "The Greatest of All Time."

Woodhouse said this is the first time ABG has teamed up with a living celebrity.