Jiggy George sets up entertainment company, Dream Theatre

The entertainment company has won licensing rights for Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Warner Brothers and Chorion's super entertainment brands

Jiggy George, who quit Cartoon Network as executive director, South Asia in July 2009 after an association of eight years, has set up his own company, called Dream Theatre. The entertainment company has bagged licensing rights for Warner Brothers, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and Chorion.

Dream Theatre is a start up entertainment company that will use licensing power to build new brands, enhance the strength and presence of existing brands, represent companies on syndication and licensing and offer consultancy on retail and licensing projects. The venture aims to introduce a wide range of personal products and promotion, food and pre-school products for these brands.

Jiggy George sets up entertainment company, Dream Theatre

Talking to afaqs! about the venture, George says, "The licensing business in India is pegged at Rs 500 million in retail and it's growing. We aim to build a first of its kind professional licensing enterprise in India, which creates out of the box licensing models for brands across innovative categories."

George has more than 15 years of experience in marketing, sales and the licensing industry and has worked with Viacom, Turner and the Times Group.

"We aim to use the power of syndication and licensing in an innovative way. There is a wide spectrum of licensing here - which is not used till now. Licensing is not only restricted to kids but has an audience beyond that as well -including sports, youth and others," he adds.

The company, as of now, has licensing rights to about 50 characters. George maintains that the company is working with "almost all the top FMCG brands in India" for this.

The start up company has won exclusive rights for India for Warner Brothers' iconic brands such as Superman, Batman, Justice League, Looney Tunes, Tom and Jerry, Scooby-Doo and Harry Potter. It aims to create a range of consumer product brands that will extend to food and beverages, personal care and promotional licensing.

For Discovery Channel and Animal Planet, it has got licensing rights for consumer product lines in India. Apart from this, George's company has also bagged the rights for Miami Ink and American Chopper and will introduce bag packs and other rugged consumer products for these two series.

It has also secured exclusive representation of Chorion's Noddy and Mr. Men and Little Miss for South Asia, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

George is unperturbed by the unorganised market in this sector. He says, "There is a latent demand for products across India and once retail addresses the penetration; knock offs will reduce.

As per the licensing and merchandising deal signed with Chorion, Dream Theatre will introduce a range of products, including apparel, home furnishings, personal care, school bags, home video and other categories around popular pre-school character Noddy for the first time ever in India.

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