VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), a premier company in the fields of publishing, animation distribution, and global entertainment licensing, has tapped the premiere global licensing and brand management firm Evolution USA, LLC as its new licensing agent. Evolution will represent VIZ Media’s vast catalog of anime and original multimedia content and will be focused on developing new merchandise and expanded retail relationships. The team will also identify and monetize North American licensing opportunities to expand VIZ Media’s consumer presence into untapped new vertical markets.
"VIZ Media's extensive multimedia catalog aligns perfectly with Evolution’s focus on monetizing intellectual properties and character-driven brands into new media, location-based entertainment, consumer products, and fashion apparel,” says Travis J. Rutherford, Evolution‘s President of Licensing & Retail. “There's tremendous brand loyalty and awareness for VIZ Media's unique properties, and we're excited to bring new products to life that will appeal to new and existing fans alike."
“Partnering with the team at Evolution will be a critical component in the ongoing execution of our consumer licensing strategies,” says Brad Woods, Chief Marketing Officer, VIZ Media. “As we continue to develop and expand our catalog we wanted to have an expert merchandise and retail partner who can help to drive the North American business.”
VIZ Media’s acclaimed catalog of anime, manga and original properties includes smash hit series such as ONE-PUNCH MAN, NARUTO, HUNTER X HUNTER, and JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE. The company’s manga titles are regularly featured on New York Times and Nielsen Bookscan national bestseller lists, and its anime series are widely viewed on major broadcast outlets such as Adult Swim on Cartoon Network. The company marked the 30th Anniversary of its founding this year.
For additional information on anime and manga titles distributed and published by VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.