Post by Coral on Mar 6, 2006 7:50:07 GMT
Arguably the world's most famous performing twins until the Veronicas came along, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have a battle on their hands.
Robert Thorne, the marketing genius behind the multi-billion dollar merchandising juggernaut built around the Olsens, is working with another A-list star.
Hollywood sensation Hilary Duff joined forces with Thorne in April last year and they plan to become the global leader in tween (ages five to 12) and teen merchandising.
Thorne, who started as the twins' entertainment lawyer, worked with them for 15 years until last year.
"They were four when I first started and I built the business brick by brick and ran it," Thorne said from the United States.
"I taught them everything I knew and learnt, and in the end they wanted to run the company on their own so they bought out my interest."
Thorne and Duff are in direct competition with the Olsens, who have their own mary-kateandashley brand.
Following the dissolution of Thorne's long term partnership with the Full House stars, Thorne saw an opportunity to work with a leading celebrity and crack the young market further.
"I felt eager to finish building the biggest girls - teen and tween - business in fashion, beauty and home," he said.
At 18, Duff - a musician, actor and fashion designer - is one year younger than the Olsens.
"I saw in Hilary the very best of the best in terms of having all the tools necessary for success," Thorne said.
Thorne is the principal of The Robert Thorne Company, a management, brand consulting and strategic planning firm in Beverly Hills and New York.
His career spans 25 years and started with him receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of California at Berkeley, Phi Beta Kappa, and another degree from Hastings College of Law.
Thorne says the pressures of being a young businesswoman don't faze Duff.
"There is no less pressure on her then there would be for any businesswoman or career woman," he said.
"She has a lot of roles and wears a lot of hats, but has one rule - to build the best product and entertainment business she can.
"She wants the best people on her team and the best results. I don't think that's unusual."
The duo's plan is to build an international empire with Duff's products sold in over 15 countries.
"This girl is multi-talented," Thorne said.
"I can't fail with her."
Duff visited Australia last year and Thorne says the, "cover girl, not tabloid girl", may be back at the end of 2006.
Duff's range is already available from K-Mart stores nationwide in Australia and New Zealand.
Robert Thorne, the marketing genius behind the multi-billion dollar merchandising juggernaut built around the Olsens, is working with another A-list star.
Hollywood sensation Hilary Duff joined forces with Thorne in April last year and they plan to become the global leader in tween (ages five to 12) and teen merchandising.
Thorne, who started as the twins' entertainment lawyer, worked with them for 15 years until last year.
"They were four when I first started and I built the business brick by brick and ran it," Thorne said from the United States.
"I taught them everything I knew and learnt, and in the end they wanted to run the company on their own so they bought out my interest."
Thorne and Duff are in direct competition with the Olsens, who have their own mary-kateandashley brand.
Following the dissolution of Thorne's long term partnership with the Full House stars, Thorne saw an opportunity to work with a leading celebrity and crack the young market further.
"I felt eager to finish building the biggest girls - teen and tween - business in fashion, beauty and home," he said.
At 18, Duff - a musician, actor and fashion designer - is one year younger than the Olsens.
"I saw in Hilary the very best of the best in terms of having all the tools necessary for success," Thorne said.
Thorne is the principal of The Robert Thorne Company, a management, brand consulting and strategic planning firm in Beverly Hills and New York.
His career spans 25 years and started with him receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of California at Berkeley, Phi Beta Kappa, and another degree from Hastings College of Law.
Thorne says the pressures of being a young businesswoman don't faze Duff.
"There is no less pressure on her then there would be for any businesswoman or career woman," he said.
"She has a lot of roles and wears a lot of hats, but has one rule - to build the best product and entertainment business she can.
"She wants the best people on her team and the best results. I don't think that's unusual."
The duo's plan is to build an international empire with Duff's products sold in over 15 countries.
"This girl is multi-talented," Thorne said.
"I can't fail with her."
Duff visited Australia last year and Thorne says the, "cover girl, not tabloid girl", may be back at the end of 2006.
Duff's range is already available from K-Mart stores nationwide in Australia and New Zealand.