Encore Brands has acquired the licensing agency Firefly Brand Management in a move to expand its brand management services.

Among Firefly's clients are entertainment and corporate brands such as ABC/Disney, Hormel's Skippy Peanut Butter and Spam, Disney artist Mary Blair, Tapatio Hot Sauce, the lifestyle brands Laura Ashley and Anne Geddes, as well as Etch A Sketch and Mr. Bubble. Recently, the agency negotiated the deal for an apparel line inspired by the ABC TV show "Scandal" and launched the Tapatio brand into the gaming and gambling categories with slot machines and lottery tickets.

Founder Cynthia Modders will continue as president of the Firefly Consumer Products Group and Pamela Harris will manage the Los Angeles, Calif., office as executive director of licensing.

"In addition to adding skills and capabilities to Encore Brands, the type of relationships Firefly has combined with the long-term thinking of management is what made the company a good fit for us," says Gareth West, chairman, Encore Brands. "Seeing their strategic thinking and experiencing their entrepreneurial spirit made for a compelling catalyst to help our companies grow."