Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica and the entire Riverdale family turn 65 years young this year, and Archie Comic Publications, Inc. is celebrating with a diverse mix of media and promotional events.
Archie Comics is a brand that transcends all generations. �Just about every time I speak about Archie Comics, people tell me how they read Archie as a youngster and now encourage their kids to read Archie today. Archie promotes reading and most people I speak to tell me that our comics were their real first reading experience,� said Michael Silberkleit, co-publisher of Archie Comic Publications, Inc.
The Archie characters first appeared in an Archie comic book published in 1941. Sixty five years later, Betty, Veronica, Archie, Jughead and friends remain a staple of entertainment for readers the world over with timeless tales of the trials, tribulations and triumphs of teenagers. Role models to millions, Betty & Veronica, Archie and Jughead have come to represent the fads, fashions and attitudes of contemporary youth.
Highlighting the Archie Comics 65th Anniversary celebration will be a comprehensive national media outreach featuring Archie Comic Publications Inc. Chairman Michael Silberkleit as lead corporate spokesperson. The popular Archie Comic titles and Archie website (www.archiecomics.com) will also provide specially prepared content saluting Archie and friends, and the innumerable contributions they have made to the lives of kids and communities across America throughout the decades.
The company will also unveil a number of online cross-promotions, including a promotional campaign with high-profile teen magazine �Girls Life,� that will reintroduce Archie Comic Book character Katy Keene. Readers will be invited to submit their own fashion designs for Katy, Betty and Veronica – and the winning designs will be worn by the characters for a special Archie 65th Anniversary issue. Representing the licensing for Archie Comics is Brand Central LLC.
�With the 65th Anniversary of Archie ahead of us, we are particularly excited about this year’s Licensing Show,� said Steve Herman, Vice President of Licensing for Archie Comics Entertainment, LLC. �The appeal of Archie and his Riverdale friends is timeless, and commands a larger fan base than ever before, making Archie an evergreen brand that licensees can truly build a business upon.�
�Archie Comics reflect the ultimate in positive entertainment for kids of all ages, and the brand represents an unparalleled opportunity for licensees in all categories,� said Ross Misher, President of Brand Central. �These prototypical American teenagers are as relevant to today’s tweens as they were to the tweens and teens 65 years ago.�
Archie continues to attract prestigious international partners. In Japan, Takashima is marketing a stunning line of high quality Betty and Veronica clothes for girls, in the Middle East giant publisher Tashkeel is publishing Archie Comic books in Arabic, and in the Philippines, Kamisetta is retailing a dazzling line of clothes for men and women. The Kamisetta line is so popular that the entire inventory sold out in the first week.
Interestingly, India has emerged as a key market for the Archie brand. For more than forty years, Variety Book House has been distributing Archie Comic books to fans in India, making Archie Comics the largest circulating English language comic book in India. Nazara is developing mobile content including a video game utilizing the Archie characters, FX Labs is creating a video game entitled �Archie’s Riverdale Run� and Archie Greetings, a retailer with more than 600 outlets in India ,is carrying nearly 30 Archie products produced under license including greeting cards, back to school supplies and social expressions.