Kevin Hart has just signed a deal to give his brand a stronger global presence.
According to a news release, the comedian and serial entrepreneur has entered into a strategic partnership with Authentic Brands Group, a leading sports, media, entertainment, and lifestyle intellectual property platform. This will permit Authentic Brands to co-own and manage the Hart brand and expand it into new areas across consumer products, digital channels, and live experiences, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Authentic Brands produces new products and merchandise for its portfolio brands and can license it for digital media, hospitality, and more.
Authentic Brands has more than 50 brands in its portfolio, including the rights to names such as Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali, Michael Jackson, and Shaquille O’Neal. Additionally, it has a social media reach nearing 1 billion followers and generates $32 billion in annual systemwide retail sales worldwide.
As AFROTECH™ previously told you, O’Neal, who is Authentic Brands’ second largest shareholder, said his intent behind signing with the company was “to ensure that hopefully I can stay around after I’m no longer on this earth.”
Hart shares similar intentions, wanting to position his brand to remain relevant for years to come. His brand encompasses high-grossing films, touring, and consumer products, as well as partnerships with Qatar Airways, Netflix, NBCUniversal, JPMorgan Chase, and SharkNinja. He also has a social media reach of at least 292 million followers.
Additionally, Hart is the owner of Hartbeat Productions, a multi-platform entertainment company, and the co-founder of Gran Coramino, a tequila brand that supports small businesses through $10,000 grants and AI-powered training, according to AFROTECH™.
Through the partnership with Authentic Brands, Hart will also become a shareholder.
“This partnership is about acceleration, growth and diversification. I’ve spent years building businesses and creating opportunities, and joining Authentic gives me the platform and global infrastructure to take my brand to the next level,” Hart said in a news release. “Becoming a shareholder allows me to co-own some of the most recognizable IP of all time while building my own brand legacy. I want the Hart name to live on for generations to come and be something that my grandkids and their grandkids will be able to be proud of.”
Jamie Salter, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Authentic Brands, commented:
“Kevin is one of the most dynamic entertainers and entrepreneurs of our time. His creative vision, business instincts and cultural impact are unmatched. Kevin sees what we see: the power of brand ownership and the opportunity to build a global, long-term business. His investment in Authentic also reflects our mutual confidence and shared vision for that growth.”
