Thank You Baby, Kathy Ireland sign licensing agreement

The Opposites Blue collection is one of the existing groups now under new branding.

Under the agreement, Thank You Baby will debut several collections at the ABC Expo in September under the Kathy Ireland Home by Thank You Baby brand name. Also, all of Thank You Baby's current crib bedding and infant-related products will be co-branded under the Kathy Ireland name, said Tracy George, president of Thank You Baby. The manufacturer's youth offerings will continue to be released under the Thank You Baby brand.

“The opportunity to be the sole provider of baby-related top of bed and coordinated accessories for Kathy Ireland Home is a unique honor and a giant step,” George said. “We feel truly blessed for this opportunity and incredibly excited to enter into this relationship with Kathy and her company.”

Kathy Ireland Worldwide also has licenses in youth bedding, rugs, lighting, furniture and other categories.

“Our companies have been in discussion for some time and this event opens a world of opportunities to busy moms everywhere. We are excited and inspired by this partnership,” Ireland said in a statement.

The existing collections that have been co-branded under the new name started shipping in May. The sets debuting at the ABC Expo are expected to ship in early 2009. George said the Kathy Ireland line will target retailers including big box, department stores and specialty boutiques.

“We will, however, offer exclusive collections for our big box and department (stores), so they are not competing with our smaller retailers and specialty boutiques,” she said. “We will also still be offering custom collections to our specialty stores that will continue to be produced in the USA for this specifically.”

Retail price points for existing four-piece collections start at $399, but George said pricing for the collections with become more competitive because of manufacturing changes.