NEW YORK METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (MTA) JOINS UNITED MEDIA'S LICENSING PORTFOLIO
NEW YORK, NY (June 8, 2004) -- United Media, a leading global licensing and syndication company, today announced it has signed on to create a new licensing program for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, a component unit of the State of New York. The agreement comes in time for the centennial anniversary celebration of the New York City subway in October.
The MTA, through its subway system, buses, two commuter railroad lines, majestic bridges and major tunnels, and its gloriously restored Grand Central Terminal, continuously moves New York and encompasses "the New York State of Mind." The MTA licensing program will target teens and adults, tourists and New Yorkers, and national urban and suburban dwellers. The focus will be on bringing the look and feel of classic New York, as well as the urban chic and edginess of the transportation system through its popular and historical symbols, to consumers.
Opportunities will be available in apparel and accessories, toys and games, home video, music, publishing, stationery, gifts and collectibles, and promotions. Most recently, the New York Knicks featured the popular images and language made famous by the MTA in a broadcast and print advertising campaign which will continue for the 2004-05 basketball season.
"One single occurrence links every individual to all parts of New York," said Joshua Kislevitz, Senior Vice President of Licensing, Domestic, for United Media. "Whether you're a resident, a suburban commuter, or a tourist, everyone experiences this significant and often, best means of transportation in the city. What better way to allow people to connect even further to the MTA than with a licensing program that will bring the familiar signs, logos and expressions to them in a new and unique way."
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) operates America's largest mass transit network, moving more than 2.3 billion people annually on MTA New York City Transit, MTA Long Island Rail Road, MTA Long Island Bus, MTA Metro-North Railroad, and MTA Bridges and Tunnels. Its construction management agency, MTA Capital Construction, is overseeing the first significant expansion of the network in more than 60 years.
About UNITED MEDIA United Media (UM) is a worldwide licensing and syndication company that focuses on building brand equity around a wide range of creative content. The company recently signed the new PBS kid series, Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks, the MTA (New York Metropolitan Transit Authority), and the Emmy award winning television series, Arthur, to its portfolio of properties. It also collaborated with fellow E.W. Scripps company, Food Network, to build an all new licensing programming featuring the popular cable channel. United Media licenses and/or syndicates other properties, including PEANUTS, Precious Moments, Copyrights at United Media (The World of Beatrix Potter, Paddington Bear, etc.), Raggedy Ann & Andy, and Dilbert. United Media is an E.W. Scripps Company.
