NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Time Inc. (NYSE:TIME) today announced the formation of SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Swimsuit Enterprises or SISE, a new division that will extend the SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Swimsuit brand by developing licensing programs and brand extensions, as well as new businesses in partnership with SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Swimsuit models, leveraging the significant content and promotional assets of SI and Time Inc. SISE will also look to offer compelling opportunities to help enhance the careers of emerging SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Swimsuit modeling talent. As part of its launch, SISE has already signed on 15 new SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Swimsuit model search participants who were selected from SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Swimsuit’s first-ever open casting call competition earlier this year. This group of models joined the brand at the swimwear industry’s premiere annual event in Miami last month to debut the 2018 SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Swim and Active apparel collections at a special runway show, photo shoot and more.
“As we continue to extend our brands, we're very excited to expand SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Swimsuit, which has been an incredible launching pad for a number of SI Swimsuit models to build successful multi-million-dollar businesses. We’re thrilled to work directly with our current models and emerging models to build new businesses,” said Bruce Gersh, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, Time Inc.
Time Inc. has begun a search for a General Manager to head this new division, which will also house the new SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Swim and Active apparel lines launching early next year with RAJ Swim. The group of SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Swimsuit top 15 #SISwimSearch models, widely praised for their diversity and body positive message, received rave reviews during Miami Swim Week, where they previewed the collections and competed for a spot in the 2018 SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Swimsuit issue.
“SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Swimsuit, a pop culture powerhouse, is a phenomenal brand for us to extend into new businesses,” said Chris Stone, Senior Vice President, Editorial Director, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Group. “By tapping into SI Swimsuit's enormous reach, unparalleled brand loyalty and talented models, we have extraordinary potential to develop new licensing and business opportunities that span a variety of categories. We look forward to partnering with our models and are very excited by the high level of interest we've already received.”
The formation of SISE marks the latest initiative from Time Inc. in the licensing and brand extension area as the company gains momentum in this space. Recent examples include the launch of multiple SOUTHERN LIVING-branded retail stores throughout the South and its partnership with Dillard’s, which carries a successful SOUTHERN LIVING-branded home collection and other products. Earlier this year, REAL SIMPLE debuted REAL SIMPLE STYLE, a collection of refined accessories that began with a jewelry collection, as well as REAL SIMPLE CLEAN, a line of eco-responsible cleaning products. FOOD & WINE formed a strategic alliance with HSN, Inc. that will bridge retail, content and product through integrated experiences across the content and commerce platforms of both properties this fall.
ABOUT SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Swimsuit (www.si.com/swimsuit) reaches more than 70 million US adults annually and more men ages 18 to 34 than the Super Bowl. The iconic brand spans 20 product extensions, along with a vibrant experiential marketing business. Since debuting in 1964, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Swimsuit has become a pop culture phenomenon and a revered launch pad for successful careers in TV, fashion, business and film. The fashion industry describes SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Swimsuit as the “Oscars of Swimwear,” as an appearance in the issue is a crowning achievement for swimsuit and accessory manufacturers.
ABOUT TIME INC.
Time Inc. (NYSE:TIME) is a leading multi-platform consumer media company that engages over 170 million consumers globally every month. The company’s influential brands include PEOPLE, TIME, FORTUNE, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, INSTYLE, REAL SIMPLE, SOUTHERN LIVING and TRAVEL + LEISURE, as well as approximately 60 diverse international brands. Time Inc. offers marketers a differentiated proposition in the marketplace by combining its powerful brands, trusted content, audience scale, direct relationships with consumers and unique first-party data. The company is home to growing media and platforms, including digital video, OTT, television, licensing, paid products and services and celebrated live events, such as the TIME 100, FORTUNE Most Powerful Women, PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED’s Sportsperson of the Year, the ESSENCE Festival and the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen.
