WWE inks licensing partnership with KMI for WWE consumer products

Mumbai, Sep 17 (UNI) Kids Media India (KMI), a subsidiary of SPACETOON, today inked an exclusive licensing partnership with World Wrestling Entertainment for WWE consumer products.

The partnership expects to significantly propel annual revenues generated from WWE licensed consumer goods in India from USD one million to USD 10 million within the next three years, it was announced at a press conference here.

KMI was also announced the first licensee for WWE consumer products for the Indian market. Bioworld Merchandising, a US-based company will launch WWE apparels, footwear, bags, belts, head gears and imitation jewellery in the country soon.

Batista, the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, will be launching the products during his visit to the city this week-end.

Speaking on the occasion, Ross Walker, Director International Consumer Products WWE said, ''India has the second largest viewership globally for our programmes and is second only to cricket in this country. With KMI we have developed a unique three tier strategy for the apparel market here, categorized as Premium, mid-tier and mass market to curb counterfeit products in the market.'' Rajiv Sangari, Managing Director and chief executive officer, KMI said, ''Our tie-up with WWE marks our move from cartoon-based character licensing to live character licensing.'' Mr Sangari further added that Indian licensing and merchandising market is currently estimated to be at Rs 1,800 crore, with the kids merchandise pie estimated to be at Rs 500 crore and are working towards attaining 20 per cent of the market share.

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