20
/ January
2011
Authentic Brands Group Acquires Rights to Marilyn Monroe Name and Image
Nearly 50 years after the death of the Hollywood darling, it looks as if we will see new merchandise (licensing cosmetics? jewelry?) bearing Marilyn Monroe's likeness after Jamie Salter's Authentic Brands Group (with media company Neca Inc.) purchased the rights to her name and image from Anna Strasberg, widow of Lee Strasberg, of "method acting" fame. No purchase price was given, but Bloomberg reported it was certainly much less than the $100M fee paid for similar rights regarding Elvis Presley.
There appears to be safety in investing in "dead celebrities," a $2.25 billion North American enterprise, according to Ira Mayer, who publishes The Licensing Letter ($467.00/year).