Licensing Expo Japan Exhibitor Spotlight: Meredith

We continue our series of exhibitor spotlights for Licensing Expo Japan with a look at Meredith Corporation.

The No. 2 ranked company on our Top 150 Global Licensors list, Meredith is known for its collection of brands in the publishing industry. The company’s publications are known to stay on the pulse of various verticals and are highlighted by both international and local titles. Magazines in its portfolio include People and–until recently–Sports Illustrated.

Ahead of LEJ this Sept., License Global takes a look at Meredith and its stable of leading publications.

It All Started with Successful Farming…

Meredith was founded by entrepreneur–and eventual U.S. Secretary of Agriculture–Edwin Meredith. He started the brand with the farming publication Successful Farming in 1902. After developing the magazine out of Des Moines, Iowa, Meredith began branching out into other verticals with publications such as Better Homes & Gardens.

The success the company found in the early 1900s eventually led it to go public on the stock exchange in 1965. It continued to play a key role in the publishing realm with new magazines, websites and television shows being produced.

A Licensing Leader

Meredith’s licensing work is highlighted by two brands. Better Homes & Gardens and Southern Living. The BH&G brand has successful relationships with retailers such as Walmart for a collection of home and outdoor living merchandise. Southern Living licensing includes a long-standing Dillard’s partnership with the store’s home department.

Beyond the ongoing strength of its home decor and outdoor entertaining categories, Meredith also sees growth in its food, hospitality and real estate sectors. Its brands in those fields include Real Simple, EatingWell, Coastal Living and Food & Wine. The publisher is also developing licensing programs for other brands in its portfolio including SHAPE, InStyle and Family Circle.

Meet with Meredith at LEJ

Co-located with the Tokyo International Gift Show, LEJ runs Sept. 3-6 and provides one of the biggest stages for licensing industry discussions in the country. It even provides licensing professionals the chance to connect with nearly 2,900 existing and potential licensee companies that exhibit.

To learn more about Meredith, be sure to register for LEJ 2019 and visit them on the LEJ show floor.