Hearst extends current licensing partnership to include U.S.

Hearst Magazines has extended its licensing relationship with IMG to include representation of its Cosmopolitan magazine in the U.S. 

IMG has represented Hearst Magazines brands including Cosmopolitan, Esquire and Harper’s BAZAAR outside of the U.S. since June 2013. 

“IMG has brought in scalable, on-brand ideas and best-in-class partners, advancing our global brand development strategy,” says Gautam Ranji, senior vice president, licensing and business development, Hearst Magazines International. “They understand our brands and the relationship we have with consumers, and we’re excited to build our Cosmopolitan partnership in the U.S.”

During that time, IMG has secured multiple licensing partnerships for Cosmopolitan across fashion and beauty categories in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Notable deals include the Cosmopolitan fragrance, which will be in stores throughout Europe and Australia this fall, as well as a group of Harper’s BAZAAR cafés in the U.A.E., the first of which will open in Dubai in late 2015. Additional products for Hearst Magazines brands are in various stages of development.

“Hearst Magazines’ brands resonate with consumers around the world,” says Bruno Maglione, executive vice president, WME-IMG and president of licensing, IMG. “Our partnership is a successful one. Hearst is open to new ideas and supportive of our efforts on all brand platforms. We appreciate the confidence they have shown in us, and look forward to using the same strategy of innovation and imagination for the company in the U.S.”