LOS ANGELES (B/W/R)-Los Angeles-based BBKO Ltd. has officially announced that rock legend
Gene Simmons has been named co-managing director of the company. BBKO is a 21st-century boxing venture based in Los Angeles that seeks to broaden the sport beyond its traditional ring by infusing it with equally hard-hitting entertainment. The company was originally co-founded, and its business plan developed, by Simmons prior to its July 2005 acquisition by Orbit Brands Corporation.
KISS has broken box office records set by Elvis and The Beatles and continues to be the juggernaut of licensing/merchandising, with over 2,500 licenses. Among the marketing and merchandising accomplishments of the band:
- Visa partnered with the band to create a branded KISS Visa card.
- The KISS Cannon camera recently debuted in Japan.
- KISS has done commercials for both Pepsi and Coca Cola, among other advertisers.
- KISS and Warner Bros. have just begun work on "KISS Babies," a new cartoon show.
- A KISS Broadway show is currently in development.
- NASCAR and KISS have had an enduring partnership for five years (The KISS/NHRA Hot Rod won the Vegas NHRA race a year ago).
- KISS has three NHRA Hot Rods.
As an individual and rock icon himself, Gene Simmons:
- Discovered Van Halen and produced their 15-song demo.
- Managed the music career of Liza Minnelli and others.
- Produced the New Line movie Detroit Rock City.
- Created and Executive Produced the hit Nickelodeon cartoon "My Dad the Rock Star," created the popular Oxygen series smash "Mr. Romance" and is currently shepherding "Gene Simmons' Rock School," a new reality show for VH1, and "Gene Simmons' Family Jewels," a reality show for A&E to debut this Fall, as well as 12 other Simmons-created shows including "Trophy Wife," "Wild One," "Oh Baby" and others.
- Has written two New York Times best-sellers: "Kiss and Make-up" and "Sex Money Kiss."
- Has published his own magazine, Sterling MacFadden's Gene Simmons Tongue, and is about to debut his new magazine, Gene Simmons Game.
- Co-starred in the Michael Crichton movie "Runaway," in the action drama "Wanted: Dead or Alive" and in the teen comedy "The New Guy." He has also guest starred on myriad television series including "Miami Vice," "The Hitchhiker," "Family Guy" and as a guest judge on "American Idol."
- Heads his own record label, Simmons Records/Sanctuary Music.
- Heads his own DVD label, Simmons Audio Visual.
- Heads his own publishing imprint, Simmons Books/Phoenix Books.
"Besides being an accomplished entrepreneur, Gene has a canny sense of how entertainment can organically enhance a sports institution such as boxing," stated Joe Cellura, chairman and CEO of Orbit Brands Corporation. "His active involvement in BBKO will fuel the growth of the company in all areas, and we enthusiastically welcome him aboard."
