There are few companies that have historically done a better job of branding their inventions than Wham-O, and now Anjar Co. and Becker Associates has been given the weighty responsibility of licensing and commercializing brands like Hula Hoop, Hacky Sack, Boogie Board, and Frisbee, among many others.
It’s a mark of Wham-O’s success in creating successful new products that those types of products are generally known to the public by the company’s brand names. You don’t go out to play ‘flying disc’, for example; you go out to play Frisbee, and the same can be said of Slip’n’Slide, Hacky Sack, Boogie Board, and Hula Hoop.
Wham-O says it has appointed Anjar Co. & Becker Associates as the exclusive global licensing agency for all of its brand, which include Frisbee, Slip ’N Slide, Hula Hoop, Hacky Sack, Super Ball, Trac-Ball, and Boogie Board, among others. Under the Agreement, Anjar and Becker Associates will develop, license, and commercialize Wham-O brand merchandise and brand extensions across all product categories “to bring families, friends, and teammates together, while promoting active play and fun, indoors and out.”
Anjar and Becker Associates are an award-winning, full-service global licensing, IP and Brand Management Agency. We’ve licensed about 1000 products and our licensees have provided ~$2 billion of fun for children around the world, including numerous evergreen products that have become familiar household names.
Jonathan Becker, President of Anjar Co. admits the work ahead is both inspiring and a bit daunting, given how deeply Wham-O products have become a part of American culture.
“It’s hard to overstate the iconic stature of Wham-O’s brands,” Becker says. “Slip ‘n Slide, the Super Ball, Hacky Sack, Hula Hoop, and, of course, the Frisbee, are ubiquitous, part of our culture and the happy memories of millions of people around the world. The opportunity to leverage these well-known brands, in toys and other categories, is an honor and privilege, and we’re excited to pursue every opportunity to showcase them to potential licensees.”
Patti Becker, CEO of Becker Associates, adds, “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to create a licensing program to extend Wham-O and their iconic brands, which have a special place in people’s hearts throughout the world. Wham-O’s immense and lasting popularity started with the Frisbee, which will turn 65 next year. These timeless toys improve physical health and wellbeing. The timing couldn’t be better to capitalize on the extraordinary brand awareness and appeal of Wham-O’s amazing toys!”
Wham-O is a lifestyle brand that has been synonymous with fun, play, and active sports since Arthur “Spud” Mellin and Richard Knerr founded it almost 75 years ago. Wham-O manufactures and markets some of the most recognizable consumer brands in the world today.
The name, Wham-O, is based on the sound a slingshot (Wham-O’s first product) made when it hit its target. Since then, Wham-O has sold about 300 different toys and games in more than 85 countries. The Wham-O brand portfolio embodies fun games and toys that appeal to all ages. The name of the NFL championship, the Super Bowl, came from The Super Ball. The Frisbee and Hula Hoop were inducted into the Strong Museum’s National Toy Industry Hall of Fame (in 1998 and 1999, respectively). The frisbee is also one of the very few inventions (other than the ball and the puck) to inspire its own sport, generally known as either Ultimate or Ultimate Frisbee. Increasingly popular worldwide, Ultimate has become internationally played and recognized, played by an estimated 5.1 million people in the US alone by 2012. Ultimate is now recognized by the International Olympic Committee and is eligible to become an Olympic event in 2024.
With the 2024 Olympics fast approaching, Wham-O says it’s excited to be working with a major agency. “I’m very excited to be working with such a well-known agency as Anjar and Becker Associates,” said Todd Richards, President of Wham-O. “All of us at Wham-O are looking forward to prosperous opportunities.”
According to David Huang, Head of Product Development and Licensing at Wham-O, “For over 70 years, Wham-O has been responsible for many of the most memorable toys for multiple generations of children, making it truly an American institution. We’re both proud and excited to be partnered with Anjar/Becker Associates to help continue spreading our message of FUN beyond the toy world.”
For licensing inquiries, please contact Patti Becker, Info@BeckerAssoc.com, or 203.321.6813