Detroit Equities, NxtGen Brand Marketing Announce New Representation Deals

Detroit Equities, owned by private equity investor and entrepreneur, Dennis McKinley, has partnered with NxtGen Brand Marketing in a branding and licensing deal for “All Star Kid” and the Original Hot Dog Factory. 

McKinley created the “All Star Kid” animation brand for YouTube streaming after the birth of his daughter, Pilar. The project’s first phase, launched in 2021, included 2D, two-minute animation shorts on YouTube targeted to newborns to 5-year-olds. 

Debi Rosenfeld, chief executive officer, NxtGen Brand Marketing, will work with the brands to secure an animation partner to expand the current YouTube shorts by creating and distributing new content for streaming that will support the brand licensing and merchandising launches in the consumer products market.  

“With the ‘All Star Kid’ brand, we’ve strived to create characters that are adorable, diverse and universally relatable,” says McKinley. “Our content is fresher and more engaging, by introducing a new and exciting collection for young children.”  

NxtGen will also represent The Original Hot Dog Factory, which debuted in 2010 and was rebranded and relaunched in 2015. Plans are to license the Original Hot Dog Factory brand for food products, apparel, housewares, décor, cookbooks and more. 

To further grow McKinley’s Original Hot Dog Factory brand, NxtGen envisions new categories and various food products from licensees featured at retail and in grocery outlets. 

“I am thrilled to be working with Dennis McKinley and his team to partner on these amazing and fun brands, ‘All Star Kid’ and The Original Hot Dog Factory,” says Rosenfeld. “We will be supporting the consumer products program by building and launching a robust merchandising and licensing portfolio with key manufacturers and promotional partners.”