SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR OUR NATION’S HEROES AT GLOBAL PET EXPO
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR OUR NATION’S HEROES
AT GLOBAL PET EXPO
Meet Veterans and Their Service Dogs at VetDogs Licensee Booths
Orlando, FL (March, 2014) – America’s VetDogs® (www.VetDogs.org), the premier not-for-profit organization that provides specially trained guide and service dogs to disabled veterans is excited to participate in this year’s Global Pet Expo. By joining licensee partners Bil-Jac® (booth #1067 – America’s VetDogs® Dog Treats), Ethical Products (booth #2335 – America’s VetDogs® toys and beds) and Petking, Inc. (booth #3701 – America’s VetDogs® rawhide, biscuits and jerky), VetDogs expects to generate awareness for the various dog products that helps support the training and placement of guide and service dogs to disabled veterans of all eras – at no charge to them.
“We are pleased to have a presence at this year’s show with our three dedicated partners who believe and support our mission of helping those who have served our country live with dignity and independence,” said Wells B. Jones, CEO of America’s VetDogs.
“These partnerships and products offer an incredible opportunity to further our collective commitment to offer quality products while simultaneously supporting the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country,” says Michelle Alfandari, president of MODA Licensing, the licensing agency for America’s VetDogs.
In addition to showing support for America’s disabled veterans, the program also highlights the vital bond between people and their animals – whether they are assistance dogs or pets – and creates brand loyalty for new and existing customers.
America’s VetDogs products are manufactured to the highest standards of quality, and they are distributed at a variety of major retail pet specialty and retail chains, as well as independent pet specialty stores. To find a list of stores near you, visit www.VetDogs.com.
VetDogs graduates and their assistance dogs will be the honored guests at partner booths throughout the show. We invite you to come meet them and learn how their service dogs have changed their lives.
About America’s VetDogs® – the Veteran’s K-9 Corps®
America’s VetDogs provides guide and service dogs to disabled veterans and active duty personnel; physical and occupational therapy dogs for VA and military hospitals; and combat stress control dogs to be deployed overseas. It costs over $50,000 to breed, train and place one assistance dog with a veteran, but there is never a cost to the veteran. To learn more about America’s VetDogs, visit www.VetDogs.org. To learn about VetDogs licensed products visit www.VetDogs.com
For information on VetDogs licensing opportunities, please contact Michelle Alfandari at: michelle@modalicensing.com
To learn more about VetDogs licensing partners, visit:
Bil-Jac: www.bil-jac.com
Ethical Products, Inc.: www.ethicalpet.com
Petking, Inc.: http://www.babyking.com/petking_index.php
Licensing Contact:
Michelle Alfandari
212-687-7640 x214
michelle@modalicensing.com
Media Contact:
Andrew Rubenstein
Director of Marketing
631-930-9091
Andrew@VetDogs.org
Risk and Reward in Licensing
Risk and Reward in Licensing
By Michelle Alfandari
“Great companies don’t offer us something to buy. Great Companies offer us something to buy into.” Simon Sinek, Start with Why.
I love that quote and it applies equally to great brands that have to convey a real and genuine reason for being.
I recently had the great pleasure of sitting down with 2 veterans of brand licensing and we marveled over the changes in the “licensing” industry. The good ole’ days always seem better in hindsight but in fact we had a lot of fun back then as we reminisced about establishing a new industry 25 to 35 years ago. We took intangible assets, trademarks and brands and leveraged them to new businesses that generated awareness, incremental revenue, stakeholder value, opened new channels of distribution and geographies. We did it with vision and passion, we took risks and we convinced brand owners to take risks with their valuable intellectual property and retailers to give them shelf space. What we did was unprecedented, there was no road map; and many of those early forays are established licensed brands today living seamlessly alongside their core businesses.
Fast forward to today and things have changed. Licensing is now an established model for growing businesses and value from IP and yet some very sound ideas and concepts fall by the wayside because of risk aversion. Risk aversion started before 2008 but it sure became entrenched after that. There are exceptions with some brilliant brand extensions that got started during the economic downturn but there are so many more that could have been contenders if only given a chance. “If the skeptics didn’t rule”. Better Homes and Gardens™ may have had a healthy dose of skepticism about ramping up their real estate license at one of the lowest points of the lowest time in real estate. But they chose instead to believe that their brand could “live’ in real estate. Launching a real estate license in 2008 and expanding it in 2010 may have seemed, well, insane at the time, but vision and a healthy dose of longer term thinking won the day. The license agreement between Realogy and Meredith Corporation (Better Homes and Gardens™ is a registered trademark of Meredith) is a 50 year term, with renewal options for another 50 years years. Talk about commitment! Today the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate franchise network consists of approximately 8300 agents, more than 250 offices in 26 states and Canada.
As Seth Godin wrote in proving the skeptics wrong (http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2013/07/proving-the-skeptics-wrong.html): “I used to have a list, and I kept it in my head, the list of people who rejected, who were skeptical, who stood in the way. What I discovered was that this wasn’t the point of the work, and my goal wasn’t actually to prove these folks wrong, it was only to do the work that was worth doing. So long ago I stopped keeping track. It’s not about the skeptics. It’s about the people who care about, support and enable. Instead of working so hard to prove the skeptics wrong, it makes a lot more sense to delight the true believers. They deserve it, after all, and they’re the ones that are going to spread the word for you.”
Today, brands need to provide a reason to buy that is more than great function, design, flavor, price or quality. Brands that give something to buy into might just be the game changer that brings the energy, ‘fun’ and rewards of risk back to retail; and have a great chance of resonating and delighting believers who just might be your customers.
I leave you with a twitter posting from Gijs van Wulfen twitter/blog: You Innovate Only if Doing Nothing is a Bigger Risk Quote: Not all CEO’s are fond of innovation. A lot of them in reality wait until not innovating is not an option anymore. Although this is so human, it is also very frustrating when you as an innovative employee wants to move your company forward. I like to quote the CEO of BMW AG, the German luxury car producer, Dr.-Ing. Norbert Reithofer. When asked why BMW started the risky E-car project with the BMWi-3 and i-8 he responded very honest: “Because doing nothing was even a bigger risk” [Autoweek 41-2013].
Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio’s Record-Breaking Streak Inspires New Line Of Coffee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Photo Available
January 18, 2014
Booth Number: 3805
CONTACT: Michelle Alfandari
Joe DiMaggio, LLC
(646) 286-9722
White Coffee and Joe DiMaggio, LLC Entry Launches at Winter Fancy Food:
Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio’s Record-Breaking Streak Inspires New Line Of Coffee
Long Island City, NY — A licensing arrangement between Joe DiMaggio, LLC and White Coffee Corporation has produced a winning lineup of specialty coffee blends and introduces Joltin’ Joe®, a new brand with an authentic American heritage.
Joltin’ Joe teams with White Coffee to present three new blends—a Signature Medium Blend, a Signature Decaf and an Espresso—delivering an accessible craft coffee that redefines smooth. An elegant, clean and balanced coffee with a hint of sweetness both approachable and complex, it’s made with a relentless focus on the best growers, the best beans, and the highest-quality roasting curves and roasted in small batches by hand to get the best flavor possible.
“We set out to guarantee that Joltin’ Joe coffee lives up to its promise,” says Jonathan White, Executive Vice President of White Coffee Corporation. “We put 75 years of our experience to work, giving our all to creating Joltin’ Joe craft coffee roasts that deliver a new taste experience for consumers.”
Joltin’ Joe coffee is available in whole bean and ground in 12 oz. bags and single-serve cups compatible with Keurig® machines. The suggested retail price is $8.99 – $10.99, and the products will be available in outlets nationwide.
About Joltin’ Joe
Joltin’ Joe is a new lifestyle brand managed and licensed by Joe DiMaggio, LLC. It draws its inspiration from the American icon Joe DiMaggio, who gave it all at every at-bat. His record-breaking 56-game hitting streak symbolized what a commitment to excellence can accomplish, which is why Joe DiMaggio, LLC has made it their mission to inspire consumers to Give It All every day. They promise to always do the same by making sure everything that bears the Joltin’ Joe brand raises the bar with innovative, differentiated, quality products that exceed expectations. Joltin’ Joe reminds us that anything is possible, if we are willing to reach for it and Give It All every day.
About White Coffee Corporation
White Coffee Corporation is based in Long Island City, NY and is a third-generation, family-owned coffee importing and roasting business that has been in operation since 1939. As a core part of its coffee offerings, White Coffee is proud to feature the finest licensed brands. These items are available in retail outlets throughout the United States, online at www.whitecoffee.com or by calling (800) 221-0140 for more information.
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KEURIG is a registered trademark of Keurig, Incorporated.
© Keurig, Incorporated 2014. All Rights Reserved.
© White Coffee Corporation 2014. All Rights Reserved.
All trademarks referenced herein are the properties of their respective owners.
Ethical Products Introduces America’s VetDogs® Toys and Beds
Ethical Products Introduces America’s VetDogs® Toys and Beds
Bloomfield, NJ (March 1, 2013) – Ethical Products, Inc., a leading manufacturer of pet toys and accessories, has teamed up with America’s VetDogs® , the premier non-profit organization that provides specially trained assistance dogs to disabled veterans, to offer dog toys and beds under the America’s VetDogs® brand.
Jonathan Zelinger, President of Ethical Products, Inc. states, “We are excited to be adding the America’s VetDogs® brand to our product line of leading, high-quality dog toys. We were searching for the correct, cause-related license to develop. The fact that we can contribute to the noble effort of providing service dogs to our military heroes is an honor that fits right in with our company’s objectives and mission. We are committed to a long term and rewarding relationship with America’s VetDogs®.
The America’s VetDogs® line will be offered in two programs. First, a red, white and blue program of very durable rope and tennis toys. A second program will be offered this summer and will feature toys with an exclusive VetDogs® camouflage design.
The packaging will feature a veteran and his service dog and clearly communicate how the purchase supports America’s heroes.
“The program offers retailers and their customers great products combined with a great cause”, says Zelinger. “We think this is the perfect combination that will resonate in the market place.”
About Ethical Products, Inc. Ethical Products, Inc. is a privately owned company that was established in 1951. Their Bloomfield, NJ, facility serves as its distribution center and corporate offices and employs 50 people. Ethical Products is focused on providing quality products for dog and cats. They market products under the SPOT brand, which includes dog and cat toys, dishes, waste management products and other dog and cat accessories. Their Fashion Pet division markets a complete line of dog apparel. Throughout the years, Ethical Products has won prestigious new product awards at the Global Pet Exposition show. Our brands have been cited as leaders in the annual survey conducted by Pet Age magazine. They strive to provide pet owners and their pets with the absolute best consumer value and customer service in the pet industry while never losing sight of quality, innovation, safety, honesty and humanity.
About America’s VetDogs® – the Veteran’s K-9 Corps® America’s VetDogs is a not-for-profit organization that was founded by the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc. (est. 1946). VetDogs helps those who have served or are currently serving our country live again with dignity and independence whether they are blind or visually impaired or have other disabilities, by providing guide dogs, service dogs, combat stress relief dogs to be deployed overseas, and physical and occupational therapy dogs to work at VA and military medical centers.www.VetDogs.com.
Ethical Partners with America’s VetDogs
Ethical Products (ethicalpet.com) has partnered with America’s VetDogs to create co-branded dog toys and beds. The rope and tennis ball toys are designed in red, white and blue, and are durable for all breeds. A portion of each sale goes to America’s VetDogs to help raise, train and match an assistance dog with an American hero. America’s VetDogs is a non-profit organization that helps disabled veterans regain the lives they led. (Read more..)
AMERICA’S VETDOGS UNVEILS EXPANDED PRODUCT LINE
AMERICA’S VETDOGS UNVEILS EXPANDED PRODUCT LINE AT 2013 GLOBAL PET EXPO Treats, Toys and Rawhide for Dogs Help Support Assistance Dog Program for Disabled Veterans
Orlando, FL (February 14, 2013) – America’s VetDogs® , the premier non-profit organization that provides specially trained assistance dogs to disabled veterans is pleased to announce its expanded line of licensed dog products at this year’s Global Pet Expo. Joining longtime VetDogs partner Bil-Jac (booth #1067 – America’s VetDogs® Dog Treats) are Ethical Products (booth #2335 – America’s VetDogs toys and beds) and PETKING (booth #3701 – rawhide, biscuits and jerky).
“We are pleased to welcome Ethical Products and PETKING to the America’s VetDogs family,” said Wells B. Jones, CEO of America’s VetDogs. “These partnerships and new product lines have offered an incredible opportunity to further our collective commitment to offer quality products while simultaneously supporting the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country.”
The VetDogs licensing program provides the opportunity for manufacturers and retailers of pet products to highlight their strong dedication to our nation’s veterans by creating products for the America’s VetDogs brand. A percentage of each sale goes to VetDogs for its programs for disabled veterans.
In addition to showing support for America’s disabled veterans, the program also highlights the vital bond between people and their animals – whether they are assistance dogs or pets – and creates brand loyalty for new and existing customers.
America’s VetDogs products are manufactured to the highest standards of quality, and they are distributed at a variety of major retail pet specialty and retail chains, as well as independent pet specialty stores. To find a list of stores near you, visit www.VetDogs.com.
VetDogs graduates and their assistance dogs will be the honored guests at each company’s booth. Come meet them and learn how their VetDogs have changed their lives.
About America’s VetDogs® – the Veteran’s K-9 Corps® America’s VetDogs provides guide and service dogs to disabled veterans and active duty personnel; physical and occupational therapy dogs for VA and military hospitals; and combat stress control dogs to be deployed overseas. It costs over $50,000 to breed, train and place one assistance dog with a veteran, but there is never a cost to the veteran. To learn more about America’s VetDogs, visit www.VetDogs.org. To learn about VetDogs licensed products visit www.VetDogs.com
For information on VetDogs licensing opportunities, please contact Michelle Alfandari at m.alfandari@modalicensing
To learn more about VetDogs licensing partners, visit: Bil-Jac: www.bil-jac.com Ethical Products, Inc.: www.ethicalpet.com Pet King: www.petking.us
Steiner Sports Hosts Auction to Benefit America’s VetDogs
Bid on unique items to help underwrite the cost of providing assistance dogs to veterans
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 1, 2013 — Smithtown, NY – Steiner Sports, a leader in sports marketing and memorabilia has partnered with America’s VetDogs – the Veteran’s K-9 Corps on the launch of an online auction of sports memorabilia, limited photography and artwork, fine wine along with other items with broad appeal from sports enthusiasts to wine connoisseurs, with all proceeds benefiting America’s VetDogs; a 501c3 non-profit and national provider of assistance dogs for those who have served our country.
“We’re very excited to partner with America’s VetDogs on this significant charity auction,” said Brandon Steiner, founder and CEO of Steiner Sports. “This is another way for Steiner and the community to support the heroes who have served and protected our country.”
America’s VetDogs, an innovative provider of assistance dogs, strives to meet the physical and physiological needs of those who have served our country including veterans of all eras, active military personnel and first responders. The organization offers specially trained dogs to help mitigate disabilities taken on such as the loss of limbs, loss of sight or hearing, mobility impairment, seizure alert and those who are dealing with home front issues and sleep disorders allowing them live again with dignity and independence.
Assistance dogs from America’s VetDogs are provided at no cost to the veteran’s and includes a lifetime of aftercare. The organization is solely supported by donations from private individuals, corporations, foundations, and other organizations.
“We are delighted to partner with Steiner Sports on this fundraising opportunity,” says Wells Jones, CEO of America’s VetDogs. “Since the VetDogs founding in 2003, we have placed 100’s of assistance dogs with wounded or disabled servicemen and women. This auction provides another great way to build brand awareness for VetDogs, generate much needed revenue, and highlight Steiner’s commitment to our nation’s heroes.”
“We are very pleased to have brought Steiner and America’s VetDogs together for such a worthy cause”, says Michelle Alfandari, Pres/CEO of MODA Licensing, the agency representing America’s VetDogs.
The auction takes place from June 1st to June 30th and will be hosted at www.steinersports.com.
About Steiner Sports
Established in 1987 by founder and CEO Brandon Steiner, Steiner Sports has been a leader in sports memorabilia and sports marketing for over two decades and enjoys working relationships with many of the top athletes in sports today.
About America’s VetDogs®– the Veteran’s K-9 Corps®
America’s VetDogs provides guide and service dogs to disabled veterans and active duty personnel; physical and occupational therapy dogs for VA and military hospitals; and combat stress control dogs to be deployed overseas. It costs over $50,000 to breed, train and place one assistance dog with a veteran, but there is never a cost to the veteran. To learn more about America’s VetDogs, visit www.VetDogs.org
About MODA Licensing, Inc.
Building businesses from intellectual property via licensing and strategic partnerships since 1988. www.modalicensing.com
AMERICA’S VETDOGS® Dog Toys on the front cover of Ryan’s flyer
VETDOGS® DOG TOYS… on the front cover of Ryan’s Pet Supplies mail order catalog!
June 2013
MODA Swings in for Joe DiMaggio
Licensing.biz –Thursday, 3rd February 2011 at 3:32 pm
MODA Licensing has formed Joe DiMaggio LLC to handle all brand licensing and extensions of the baseball star worldwide.
There will be several sub brands – including Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio and Joe DiMaggio: The Yankee Clipper – plus his signature, which will add further support to the main brand.
The immediate licensing opportunity will be around the 70th anniversary of DiMaggio’s 56 game hitting streak for collectibles and apparel.
“MODA’s focus will be on creating sustainable branded Joe DiMaggio licensed businesses,” explained Michelle Alfandari, president and CEO of MODA Licensing. “We are developing a strategy that will leverage the strongest assets of DiMaggio’s legend, fame and celebrity to a select range of consumer products and service. In addition to packaged goods and services, we will leverage DiMaggio’s image for advertising, promotion and film.”
AMERICA’S VETDOGS® Adds Two Licenses in Pet Category
NEWS RELEASE
AMERICA’S VETDOGS® Adds Two Licenses in Pet Category
(July 5, 2012 — New York, NY) America’s VetDogs® – the Veteran’s K-9 Corps® is proud to announce it has secured two new licensees for dog products: Toys with licensee Ethical Products; and rawhide, biscuits and jerky with Pet King. Both licenses were initiated and finalized by MODA Licensing, Inc.
Ethical Products, Inc., a multi-generational, nationally recognized manufacturer of companion animal pet supplies will develop a licensed program under the America’s VetDogs® name for toys made of durable rubber, rugged nylon, stuffed plush toys, canvas, rope and TPR. America’s VetDogs® licensed products by Ethical Products will ship First Quarter 2013.
Pet King Inc. license agreement with America’s VetDogs® includes rawhide, jerky and biscuits (made in the USA). Product will be in the market for fourth quarter 2012.
The targeted channels of distribution are: pet specialty, mass retailers, supermarkets, farm and Ag stores, military PXs, direct mail and e-commerce. According to Michelle Alfandari, president/CEO of MODA, “The notion that consumers can purchase quality dog products while supporting America’s military heroes is a strong differentiator that will resonate with all dog owners, including members of the military, veterans, their families and friends.”
Alfandari continues, “A portion of the proceeds from the sale of America’s VetDogs® products will go back to America’s VetDogs® to help raise, train and match assistance dogs to our American heroes at no charge to the soldier. This support for our heroes is already proving to be a success with the strong performance of the first VetDogs® licensed product – America’s VetDogs Dog Treats — licensed by Bil-Jac Foods.” Existing distribution includes Walmart, Home Goods, Petco, Wegmans and independent retailers.
The expertise of America’s VetDogs, combined with that of Ethical Products, Inc., and Pet King for high-quality, creative and well-priced products is a major win for retailers and consumers.
Jonathan Zelinger, president of Ethical Products, Inc., states, “We are excited to be adding the America’s VetDogs® brand to our product line of leading, high-quality dog toys. We were searching for the correct, cause-related license to develop. The fact that we can contribute to the noble effort of providing service dogs to our military heroes is an honor that fits right in with our company’s objectives and mission. We are committed to a long-term and rewarding relationship with America’s VetDogs®.”
“Pet King will work with America’s VetDogs® experts to make sure this collection meets their rigorous quality standards,” says Roy Pomerantz, CEO of Pet King, Inc. “Through our Baby King division we are already a leading supplier of infant products, so we understand the need for quality and safety to be our top priority – in fact, many of the products we will be producing under the VetDogs® brand will meet the same quality and safety standards mandated for baby products.”
Wells Jones, CEO of America’s VetDogs® declares, “We are delighted to welcome Ethical Products, Inc., and Pet King as our newest licensees. Consumers and retailers have been very receptive to these products that help to support our mission of providing assistance dogs to veterans with disabilities. There is tremendous excitement in our social media channels about these products. The VetDogs® experience is a dynamic and successful one.”
“We welcome Ethical Products, Inc. and Pet King to the America’s VetDogs® family of products, joining Bil-Jac, our licensee for America’s VetDogs® Dog Treats, and we are certain the brand will drive traffic and call consumers to action,” adds Scott Todd, SVP Business Development at MODA.
Other targeted products include: crates & kennels, dog food, dog beds, flea & tick, leashes & leads, collars, training, publishing, plush toys for kids market; apparel, and more.
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About America’s VetDogs®
America’s VetDogs is a not-for-profit organization founded by the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc. (est. 1946). VetDogs helps disabled veterans, and active military personnel, to live again with dignity and independence – whether they are visually impaired or have other disabilities – by providing guide dogs, service dogs, physical and occupational therapy dogs, and combat stress control dogs to serve with overseas.
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About Ethical Products, Inc.
Ethical Products, Inc. is a privately owned company that was established in 1951. Their Bloomfield, NJ, facility serves as its distribution center and corporate offices and employs 50 people. Ethical Products is focused on providing quality products for dog and cats. They market products under the SPOT brand, which includes dog and cat toys, dishes, waste management products and other dog and cat accessories. Their Fashion Pet division markets a complete line of dog apparel. Throughout the years, Ethical Products has won prestigious new product awards at the Global Pet Exposition show. They strive to provide pet owners and their pets with the absolute best consumer value and customer service in the pet industry while never losing sight of quality, innovation, safety, honesty and humanity.
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About Pet King, Inc.
Pet King, Inc., is committed to provide safe, innovative, quality pet products. Pet King products are inspired by pets, pet owners and veterinarians, and the company offers over 300 products to the largest retailers in the US. Its palletized, fully automated 200,000 square foot facility highlights its commitment to customer service. Pet King is one of the fastest growing companies in the pet category.
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About MODA Licensing, Inc.
A global business development agency established in 1988, MODA is a leader in using intellectual property to add value and build businesses from brands, trademarks and technology across diverse industries and retail channels. Using licensing, cause marketing, strategic alliances, sales and acquisition, MODA works on behalf of its clients or in partnership with IP owners. Headquartered in NYC with Global Associates worldwide, MODA offers a full range of services including consulting. Proven methodology has resulted in enduring and profitable brand and line extensions for IP owners including Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, sports events, publishing, hospitality and celebrity delivering incremental revenue and market share, protecting intellectual property and enhancing core business.
www.pixelelves.com/moda
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