Coolabi News

Big Tent Entertainment brings Purple Ronnie to the Americas

11 May 09

Monday, 11 May 2009

LONDON

Big Tent Entertainment brings Purple Ronnie to the Americas

Coolabi signs major US agency to represent hit brand in North and South America

Purple Ronnie has taken a major step towards bringing his cheeky poetic philosophy that has been a huge UK hit for over two decades to a global market. Coolabi, the company that owns and licenses the Purple Ronnie brand, has announced the appointment of New York-headquartered branded entertainment company Big Tent Entertainment to represent Purple Ronnie in the key markets of North and South America.

Big Tent Entertainment is an award-winning agency dedicated to licensing and marketing the best quality family entertainment. It represents brands from pre-school to adult and across a number of media including TV shows, art licensing, adult lifestyle, internet and viral brands. The company has an exciting portfolio of properties that includes such international hits as Domo, TOKYOPOP, Miffy & Friends and The Wiggles. Big Tent Entertainment will develop a comprehensive licensing program for Purple Ronnie in North and South America with an emphasis on such key categories as social expression, publishing, apparel, casual game, gift and novelties.

It�s an ideal time for Purple Ronnie to take on new challenges, when the strength of the brand in its home base is greater than ever. Since Giles Andreae created him in 1987, Purple Ronnie�s insights into love, emotions, families and fun have driven the sales of over 60 million greetings cards, and book sales are now closing in on 3 million with regular appearances in the Sunday Times bestsellers list, most recently for Purple Ronnie�s Little Book for the World�s Best Boyfriend which reached number 3 over the Valentine�s Day week.

Coolabi, a company that specialises in the ownership, development, creative management and exploitation of high quality intellectual property assets, acquired the brand from its creator in 2007 with the aim of growing that success in the UK and overseas. In fact at the same time Coolabi was looking for the right agency to represent Purple Ronnie in the Americas � it was crucial to identify the best option from the various interested parties � a process which is now complete with the appointment of Big Tent Entertainment.

Richard Collins, CEO of Big Tent Entertainment LLC, says: �We are always on the lookout for entertainment content that has both a loyal fan base and more than one media driver. Purple Ronnie meets both those criteria. In fact the brand goes even further. Purple Ronnie brings together a memorable, iconic character, poetry and humour, making it a great entertainment brand for young, hip adults and teens. We see the brand capturing a wide audience, ranging from fans of hip-hop music to viewers of cutting-edge TV humour stations like Comedy Central.�

Janet Woodward, Head of Licensing for Coolabi, adds: �When we acquired the Purple Ronnie brand a clear part of our strategy was to take him into the pivotal North and South American markets. This is a unique brand with strong potential appeal across a wide range of consumers and our aim has been to find a partner that sees that potential, understands the brand and has a track record in successfully launching properties, local and international, into the American market. In Big Tent Entertainment we have found just that partner. We are thrilled to be working with them.�

About Big Tent Entertainment LLC

Big Tent Entertainment, LLC (www.bigtent.tv) is an entertainment company specializing in the integrated development and management of media brands. Formed in 2002, the company manages a portfolio across both traditional and new media while focusing on brand strategy, community building, viral marketing, licensing and retail merchandising. Big Tent currently serves as the worldwide (ex Asia) marketing and licensing company for viral sensation Domo and the North American agency of record for a number of children�s properties including: Discovery Kids, the leader in educational content for children; The Wiggles, the world�s most popular pre-school entertainers; and Miffy & Friends, one of the largest brands for infants, toddlers and preschoolers with an all-new tween/teen program. Additionally, Big Tent serves as the U.S. licensing agent for the Crusty Demons, the masters of freestyle motocross; The Saddle Club, the world�s most popular series about girls and horses; and TOKYOPOP, the world-renowned manga publisher and global pop culture brand.