Fathead (brand)
Encyclopedia
Fathead is a brand name of life-sized, precision cut vinyl wall graphics manufactured by Fathead LLC. Fathead LLC is a privately-held company based in Detroit, Michigan
. The ownership group is led by Dan Gilbert, who is chairman and founder of Quicken Loans
, and also Majority Owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers
. Fathead categories include Real.Big, Fathead Jr., Fathead Customs, Fathead Tradeables, Fathead Teammate, Fathead Skins, and SM/ART across 500 officially licensed brands. The products are high definition wall graphics of professional athletes, animated heroes, entertainment characters, team helmets and logos. The graphics are constructed of vinyl and a low-tack adhesive.
, purchased Fathead, Inc. Fathead was brought to Gilbert’s attention by the company’s president Todd Lunsford, then Quicken Loans
’ Chief Marketing Officer, after Todd’s son saw a commercial and wanted to order a Tom Brady Fathead. Today, Fathead, LLC is one of the threads in a large family of properties in the sports and entertainment market, including the National Basketball Association
's Cleveland Cavaliers
, the American Hockey League
's Lake Erie Monsters
, Quicken Loans Arena
, Xenith, Xeko
and Veritix.
, NBA Entertainment, WNBA, MLS
, NHL and NHLPA
, WWE, UFC, AHL
, IMG World Wide, WMG
, Live Nation
, Home Team Marketing, Lucasfilm
, Ltd., Marvel Characters, Inc., Disney Consumer Products
, Inc., Nickelodeon
/Viacom
, Warner Brothers, Lionel Trains, Muhammad Ali
Enterprises LLC, Dick Vitale
, Kid Rock
, Bruce Lee
Enterprises, StarBuzz LLC, Barrett-Jackson
, Made In Detroit, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
, Collegiate Licensing Company
and Licensing Resource Group, Inc.
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
. The ownership group is led by Dan Gilbert, who is chairman and founder of Quicken Loans
Quicken Loans
Quicken Loans Inc., headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, is the largest online mortgage lender and the 5th largest retail mortgage lender overall in the USA. The company consists of the QuickenLoans.com online lending site, the Rock Financial brand in southeast Michigan, One Reverse Mortgage, based...
, and also Majority Owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
. Fathead categories include Real.Big, Fathead Jr., Fathead Customs, Fathead Tradeables, Fathead Teammate, Fathead Skins, and SM/ART across 500 officially licensed brands. The products are high definition wall graphics of professional athletes, animated heroes, entertainment characters, team helmets and logos. The graphics are constructed of vinyl and a low-tack adhesive.
History
In 2006, a group of investors, led by Dan Gilbert (businessman), founder of Quicken LoansQuicken Loans
Quicken Loans Inc., headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, is the largest online mortgage lender and the 5th largest retail mortgage lender overall in the USA. The company consists of the QuickenLoans.com online lending site, the Rock Financial brand in southeast Michigan, One Reverse Mortgage, based...
, purchased Fathead, Inc. Fathead was brought to Gilbert’s attention by the company’s president Todd Lunsford, then Quicken Loans
Quicken Loans
Quicken Loans Inc., headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, is the largest online mortgage lender and the 5th largest retail mortgage lender overall in the USA. The company consists of the QuickenLoans.com online lending site, the Rock Financial brand in southeast Michigan, One Reverse Mortgage, based...
’ Chief Marketing Officer, after Todd’s son saw a commercial and wanted to order a Tom Brady Fathead. Today, Fathead, LLC is one of the threads in a large family of properties in the sports and entertainment market, including the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
's Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
, the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
's Lake Erie Monsters
Lake Erie Monsters
The Lake Erie Monsters are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They began play in the 2007–08 AHL season at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio...
, Quicken Loans Arena
Quicken Loans Arena
Quicken Loans Arena , is a multi-purpose arena, in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States....
, Xenith, Xeko
Xeko
Xeko is a collectible card game revolving around endangered species. It was launched on Earthday 2006. It won the Creative Child Magazine 2006 Toy of the Year Award and The National Parenting Center's Seal of Approval in its first year. Four "Mission" sets have been released. Mission: Costa Rica...
and Veritix.
Licenses
Fathead maintains license agreements with the NFL and PLAYERS, INC., MLB and MLBPA, NASCARNASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
, NBA Entertainment, WNBA, MLS
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
, NHL and NHLPA
NHLPA
NHLPA is an initialism for:* The National Hockey League Players Association, a players' union* The National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000-Video games:...
, WWE, UFC, AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
, IMG World Wide, WMG
WMG
WMG may refer to:*Warner Music Group*Warwick Manufacturing Group, The University of Warwick, United Kingdom* Washington Marine Group...
, Live Nation
Live Nation
Live Nation is a live-events company based in Beverly Hills, California, focused on concert promotions. Live Nation formed in 2005 as a spin-off from Clear Channel Communications, which then merged with Ticketmaster in 2010 to become Live Nation Entertainment....
, Home Team Marketing, Lucasfilm
Lucasfilm
Lucasfilm Limited is an American film production company founded by George Lucas in 1971, based in San Francisco, California. Lucas is the company's current chairman and CEO, and Micheline Chau is the president and COO....
, Ltd., Marvel Characters, Inc., Disney Consumer Products
Disney Consumer Products
Disney Consumer Products is a division of The Walt Disney Company that engages in merchandizing of the Disney brand and Disney properties, Lines of business under DCP include Disney Fashion & Home, Disney Food, Health and Beauty, Disney Toys & Social Expressions, Disney Publishing Worldwide and...
, Inc., Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon (TV channel)
Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
/Viacom
Viacom
Viacom Inc. , short for "Video & Audio Communications", is an American media conglomerate with interests primarily in, but not limited to, cinema and cable television...
, Warner Brothers, Lionel Trains, Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is an American former professional boxer, philanthropist and social activist...
Enterprises LLC, Dick Vitale
Dick Vitale
Richard J. "Dick" Vitale , also known as "Dickie V", is an American basketball sportscaster. A former head coach in the college and professional ranks, he is well-known as a college basketball broadcaster and for the enthusiastic and colorful remarks he makes during games. He is known for his...
, Kid Rock
Kid Rock
Robert James "Bob" Ritchie , known by his stage name Kid Rock, is an American singer-songwriter, musician and rapper with five Grammy Awards nominations...
, Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee was a Chinese American, Hong Kong actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement...
Enterprises, StarBuzz LLC, Barrett-Jackson
Barrett-Jackson
Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction provides products and services to classic and collector car owners, collectors and automotive enthusiasts...
, Made In Detroit, Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is the National Football League cheerleading squad representing the Dallas Cowboys.- 1960s :The original cheerleading squad was a made up of a male-female group called the CowBelles & Beaux. The group made its sidelines debut in 1960 during the Cowboys' inaugural...
, Collegiate Licensing Company
Collegiate Licensing Company
The Collegiate Licensing Company is an American collegiate trademark licensing and marketing company. Founded in 1981 by Bill Battle in Selma, Alabama, CLC is the largest and oldest collegiate licensing company in the United States and currently provides its services to more than 200 colleges and...
and Licensing Resource Group, Inc.
Awards and Recognitions
- Named in Internet Retailer Hot 100 Retail Web Sites of 2008
- Named in Internet Retailer Hot 100 Retail Web Sites of 2009
- Named in Internet Retailer Top 500 of 2010