MGM Gets in the Ring with Rocky for Anniversary

Rocky

franchise has endured much like the films’ titular character himself. The tale of a Philadelphia boxer overcoming the odds through sheer determination has taken hold of the pop culture zeitgeist and endured for over four decades. Since the first film’s debut in 1976, the franchise has spawned seven sequels including two spinoff films,

Creed

and

Creed II

.

Coming into the franchise’s 45th anniversary in 2021, property owner MGM has begun developing a slate of licensing opportunities for the franchise.

Robert Marick,

executive vice president, global consumer products and experiences, MGM, tells

License Global

that the upcoming push will focus on the underlining themes that have made the

Rocky

films so beloved.

“We are going to take up on

Rocky’

s key themes of ambition, passion and underdog, and create programs around some of those themes,” says Marick.

Those key themes are a big reason the

Rocky

franchise has continued success over the last four decades. Through each

The

Rocky

series recently morphed into a spinoff series based on

Rocky

nemesis Apollo Creed. The

Creed

franchise follows the story of Adonis Creed, son of

Apollo

in the original film, as he trains under the guidance of Stallone’s character to set out on his boxing career.

“What I love about the

Rocky

franchise is it is a bit of old generation and new generation,” says Marick. “Many of us grew up with

Rocky

and the films. Then the transition with

Creed

and [actor] Michael B. Jordan has crossed into multi-generations. We can tap into that in merchandising as well as audience and develop that across the board.”

Moving forward, MGM aims to tap into that generational appeal to identify licensing deals in a broad selection of categories including publishing, gifts and novelty, apparel and accessories, and location-based entertainment–an area the series has already found success with via its annual

Rocky Run

in Philadelphia.

Now in its fourth year, the Rocky Run brings fans together for a marathon race that ends in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Marick and MGM see an opportunity to bring the run internationally to countries such as Mexico and China where

Rocky

has found a growing audience.

“In a recent trip to Mexico City where we were looking at our portfolio with potential retailers and licensees in the region,” says Marick. “Next to

Pink Panther, Rocky

most resonated. It is one of those films that is enduring.”

As new opportunities and regions open up for the

Rocky

franchise, it will be exciting to see how the licensing program continues to evolve into its 45th anniversary and beyond.