Billboard Signs with IMG in Asia

As part of the deal, IMG will develop a licensed merchandise portfolio across a wide range of categories including apparel and accessories, headphone and tablet accessories, bags and backpacks, electronics and audio programs, skateboards and more.

This licensing agreement is part of a larger push by

Billboard

to expand its international presence through global partnerships. Last year,

Billboard

established a syndication partnership with Yin Yue Tai, a music video website in China, to create a co-branded

Billboard

China chart and launched Asia’s first

Billboard

-branded Internet radio station,

Billboard

Radio China.

“Not only does this partnership align us with the largest licensing agency in the world, it now exposes

Billboard

’s content and branded product to its largest Asian audience yet,” says Francisco Arenas, senior vice president, business development and licensing,

Billboard

and

The Hollywood

. “IMG’s global reach and local expertise will help us build upon our aggressive push into new markets.”