Live Nation Merchandise and Pretty Ugly SHOUT IT OUT LOUD with a KISS + UGLYDOLL MASHUP!
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 28, 2014 -- KISS, the most influential rock band of all time and UGLYDOLL, the ubiquitous, artist created lifestyle brand, has announced a partnership, to create a global, co-branded collaboration. UGLYDOLL'S unique aesthetic, famous for defining 'ugly' as distinctive and unique, will be combined with the iconic style of KISS band members to create a set of plush collectibles. Additional categories of merchandise will be developed for release in 2014.
The KISS UGLYDOLL collaboration was previewed at Licensing International in Las Vegas last June and will make its official debut at the New York International Toy Fair, held February 2014. The collection will include a set of plush dolls by Gund®, a division of Enesco, featuring UGLYDOLL dressed as the legendary KISS band members – OX™ as The Demon, Babo™ as The Starchild, Big Toe™ as The Catman and Wage™ as The Spaceman. Retail pricing will start at $20 and the dolls are expected to hit stores in March 2014.
"We were knocked off our feet when Gene Simmons embraced me at the Licensing Show in 2012 and asked us why we weren't already working together?" said Alita Friedman, Chief Brand Officer of Pretty Ugly, LLC. "We're in!" answered Alita. "We're thrilled to be working with Rock 'n' Roll Royalty! It was amazing to work with Gene as he is hands on, definitive and quick to respond."
"This fun collection of KISS and UGLYDOLL branded plush should appeal to fans of all ages," says Janet Dwoskin, "It's a great collaboration."
About Live Nation
KISS is represented exclusively worldwide for licensing and merchandising by Live Nation Merchandise.
Live Nation Merchandise is the merchandise and licensing division of Live Nation Entertainment representing over 150 top music and concert artists worldwide. For more information, please visit www.lnmlicensing.com.
About KISS
KISS, the legendary American rock band was founded in 1972. Four decades later KISS remains one of the most influential bands in the history of Rock and Roll. Their achievements include the release of approximately 44 albums, sales of over 100 million albums, sold out concerts tours around the world and the incredible support of over 6 million Face Book fans worldwide. KISS has performed at the Super Bowl, 2002 Winter Olympics, 2009 Finale of American Idol, and the 2005 Rockin' The Corps Concert. In 2009, KISS was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. KISS's 20th studio album was released on October 9, 2012.
For all things KISS, visit www.KISSONLINE.com
About UGLYDOLL & Pretty Ugly, LLC
David Horvath & Sun-Min Kim created the first UGLYDOLL hand-sewn plush toys in 2001. Since the inception of the first character, Wage™, who David drew on a love letter to Sun-Min, UGLYDOLL has grown into an entire universe of characters, stories, and products for all ages. The UGLYDOLL brand was launched in 2003 by Pretty Ugly, LLC New Jersey. The property is distinguished by David & Sun-Min's unique aesthetic and voice defining 'ugly' as distinctive and unique. The award-winning UGLYDOLL characters appear in a variety of toys, books, apparel, and other licensed products that are available in thousands of stores, worldwide. For more information, please visit www.uglydolls.com.
About GUND®
GUND®, a division of Enesco, LLC, is known worldwide for its top quality, soft and huggable plush designs and gift products. Award-winning GUND® products appeal to all ages, from infants up, and are perfect for both play and collecting. The 115-year old company is based in Edison, New Jersey, and distributes throughout the United States and Canada as well as in Europe, Japan, Australia and South America. GUND® products may be found in gift, specialty, toy, book, museum and department stores and many other retail outlets. Please visit www.gund.com
