In a lively new twist on what you might call a dead industry, Eternal Image is bringing licensing to the afterlife—through branded caskets and cremation urns. Now lifelong supporters of select sports teams and other brands have the option to take their loyalty all the way to their final resting spot.
Eternal Image has licensing agreements with 30 Major League Baseball teams (urns and caskets will available late 2007), the Vatican Library, Precious Moments—and there are even special urns licensed by the American Kennel Club and Cat Fanciers Association to preserve the ashes of beloved pets. More than just a gimmick, Eternal Image products are made with high-quality rot-resistant composite materials and are designed to be tasteful representations of a person's interests. The company continues to seek new partners and expand its offerings to appeal to a broader audience.
While some may find it off-putting to take licensing to such an extreme, appealing to the varied interests of ageing baby boomers—many of whom are serious sports enthusiasts—could yield high returns. What's more, this is a fantastic example of applying new principles to an industry that hasn't changed much in many years, with the exception of eco-funerals and artistic urns. And while Eternal Image has a great start on collecting an impressive list of partners, there's still ample opportunity for rivalling entrepreneurs to compete for some big name licensing partnerships, including major sporting leagues worldwide.
Website: www.eternalimage.net
Contact: www.eternalimage.net/contact.html
Spotted by: Kevin Jameson
Email to friendPrevious: Free insurance with every suitcase «
Next: City bike schemes — Update from Paris »
A little too far. In my opinion if I went to a funeral and saw that it would draw away from the "Real" image of who that person was. What's next? Churches named after sports teams?
Doesn't quite work for me.. A little too far for me too.. How about branded tombstones? Anyone?
RE: Funeral branding - It might be fun for future archeologists.
I see a huge market opportunity for Disney Death.
ha ha, As in Ghana where they make you any coffin shape you like from a Mercedes Benz to a giant chicken. I wonder why Louis Vuitton don't get in on the act. They make travel boxes after all!
Mercedes, Nokia, Coca Cola; in Ghana they have never heard about the word 'licensing'.
When I was a kid, "undershirts" were white and worn in summer on the farm.
Then someone got the idea to silkscreen a plain design on one...and suddenly "t-shirts" became cool!
Now, what sold in a "Fruit of the Loom" package of 3 for $2 at Pennys sells for $69 each with anything imaginable printed on it.
Eternal Image has a revolutionary idea of bringing "branding" to the funeral industry.
Fancasket idea!
dancy | July 13, 2007 5:22 PM