The once-strained relationship between Univision Communications and Mexico’s Televisa has sure changed with Televisa investing in Univision, extending their programming deal and clarifying that Univision has the online rights to Televisa programming in the US. Now Univision has been named the exclusive consumer products licensing agent for Grupo Televisa’s brands throughout the US and Puerto Rico.
The two companies say they will work collaboratively to build Grupo Televisa’s brands at retail by leveraging Univision’s significant multi-media platforms and unparallel connection with Hispanic Americans. The agreement includes such iconic Televisa brands as El Chavo, Chapulín Colorado, Hablando Sola, Chef Oropeza, as well as all licensing for Televisa novelas, reality series, live action and game shows.
“This relationship is a natural extension of our already close working relationship with Grupo Televisa,” said Rick Alessandri, senior vice president, Univision Enterprises. “To be able to have exclusive access to an incredibly deep portfolio of brands which resonate and connect emotionally with our US Hispanic consumer is an amazing opportunity.”
“We are ready to give the market an experience to our properties off-screen” said Maca Rotter, executive director, Televisa Consumer Products. “Grupo Televisa will have the opportunity to replicate what we have done successfully in Mexico for the past eight years. We are confident that Univision Consumer Products will immediately become the leading Hispanic licensing player within the US.”
Univision’s consumer products team, led by VP Francisco Arenas, will work to secure new merchandising, licensing and promotional opportunities for the portfolio of brands as well as work to establish relationships with key retail partners. His team will focus on a wide array of product categories including apparel and accessories, toys and games, branded publishing, back-to-school items, stationery, home décor and more.
“We are excited to embark on this new venture and to be able to offer our core audience merchandising opportunities with such powerful brands,” said Arenas. “We have already begun to build a talented team that will help us bring new revenue streams for both companies.”
To help maximize opportunities with the vast portfolio of Televisa brands and to manage the day-to-day operations, Omar Fajer Valencia has been appointed associate director of Consumer Products and Marketing. Fajer Valencia most recently served as senior marketing manager of Televisa Consumer Products successfully managing national and international brands from the creative process to the point of sale. He first joined Televisa as category manager for Televisa Consumer Products.
Univision Enterprises focuses on three core businesses: Univision Direct, which develops products and services to directly serve consumers, such as the Univision MasterCard Prepaid Card; Univision Consumer Products, which is focused on licensing; and Live Event Development and Activation.
