55. FIFA $400M (E) (ASSOCIATION)
MARK MATHENY, GLOBAL BRANDS GROUP, +65 6622 8100 With its mission to "develop the game, touch the world, build a better future," Fifa's merchandise and retail program, which
crosses multiple product categories through various events and retail channels, is being built toward the 2010 World Cup to
be held in South Africa. 56. HEARST BRAND DEVELOPMENT$400M (PRIVATE)
GLEN ELLEN BROWN, VICE PRESIDENT OF BRAND DEVELOPMENT, +1.212.492.1301 The licensed extensions of Hearst's leading brands, Country Living, Seventeen, Good Housekeeping and Town & Country, continue
to be key retail drivers, along with strategic partnerships with top-tier manufacturers and retailers to create innovative
products. During 2009, Hearst Brand Development will be focused on expanding existing programs and building new licenses in
new categories and channels of distribution, including a Country Living program spanning home, food, crafts and outdoor; growth
of Seventeen home and jewelry/accessories; and new launches with Good Housekeeping, Esquire, Popular Mechanics and Town &
Country. Hearst attributes its success to its direct-to-retail partnerships and long-standing, brand-specific relationships
with key retailers. Sales this year are expected to be driven by mass distribution and grocery as consumers emphasize value
and quality in their brand choices.
57. Thomas Kinkade Co. $400M (PRIVATE)
LINDA MARIANO, VICE PRESIDENT OF LICENSING AND MARKETING, +1.408.201.5210 During 2008, the company expanded its reach with Thomas Kinkade's commemorative images, such as Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park,
NASCAR Thunder–The 50th Anniversary of the Daytona 500, Elegant Evening at Biltmore, Christmas at Graceland and Snow White
Discovers the Cottage. The company is exploring opportunities for a media and entertainment segment of the brand, with its
first foray being the direct-to-video movie, Thomas Kinkade's Christmas Cottage, which Lionsgate released late last year.
This first in a planned series of home entertainment releases is based on Kinkade's career as an artist. The movie ranked
No. 13 in the 2008 Nielsen DTV drama ranking. In 2009, Thomas Kinkade is celebrating his 25th anniversary as a published artist
and as one of the first art brands in the licensing industry. He has licensed his art for nearly 20 years to include an assortment
of products and categories ranging from collectibles and home furnishings to crafts and art for walls. This year, the company
will expand its domestic and international programs with new licensing partners and categories, including co-branded and commemorative
artwork with such partners as NASCAR, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Elvis Presley Enterprises and Disney Consumer Products.
58. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. $375M (PUBLIC)
GLEN KONKLE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, EQUITY MANAGEMENT, +1.858.55.2500 The Goodyear licensing program generated significant growth in 2008 from numerous licenses in a variety of consumer product
categories as well as growth from existing licenses. Successful programs and categories included expansion within the core
automotive category and the development of new licenses in sporting goods, travel accessories and Goodyear Racing-related
products. Sales within the lawn and garden category continued to show strong results from Goodyear-branded products, as did
the adidas-Goodyear athletic shoe license, which continues its high level of sales performance in better retailers and department
stores. This year, the overall Goodyear program is expected to see continued, aggressive growth from a variety of strategic,
equity-driven licenses in automotive, do-it-yourself, lawn and garden, home/garage and lifestyle-oriented products.
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