The parent company of the Playboy empire, Playboy Enterprises, has been on the ropes for quite some time.  When the latest economic downturn hit, it was only the latest in a long series of body-blows for the once iconic magazine publisher.  After all, when your business is still anchored by print, it’s hard to keep customers in the internet age.  Playboy is no different from any other publisher, but that brand… that iconic image is still lusted after.  That’s why Iconix Brand Group, owners of fashion imprints Candies, Rocawear, and Joe Boxer, are looking to purchase the Playboy brand.  Not the magazines or media empire, just that bunny.

The company is prepared to offer $33 million dollars for Hef’s iconic creation, which seems like a pretty reasonable price.  In the hands of that company, I’m pretty sure the bunny logo is worth a lot more than that, even without Playboy’s archives and many other business interests.  I guess Marge Simpson’s cover wasn’t enough to restore interest in the flagging media empire.

Who would have ever thought the day would come that a brand would be worth more than the product?  I guess this might be the fate of iconic American car companies like Chrysler one day, should they not turn their company around.  We’re living in strange days, gang.  Not even sex sells like it used to!

Image: G4TV

Tags: Playboy, Playboy Enterprises, Iconix Brand Group, clothing, fashion house, company wants to buy Playboy logo, magazines, publishing

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