{"id":12051,"date":"2016-02-04T16:57:55","date_gmt":"2016-02-04T21:57:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.customink.com\/?p=12051"},"modified":"2016-02-04T17:36:35","modified_gmt":"2016-02-04T22:36:35","slug":"customink-to-acquire-represent-tech-startup-that-helps-celebrities-rally-fans-for-funding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.customink.com\/blog\/customink-to-acquire-represent-tech-startup-that-helps-celebrities-rally-fans-for-funding\/","title":{"rendered":"CustomInk Acquires Represent; Tech Startup That Helps Celebrities Rally Fans for Funding"},"content":{"rendered":"

Represent\u2019s Social Commerce Platform Helps Influencers Sell T-shirts and Merchandise for Charity or Profit; Investors Include Ashton Kutcher, Guy Oseary, James Franco\"CustomInk_Represent_Logos\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fairfax, VA \u2013 February 4, 2016 \u2013 CustomInk<\/a>, the leader in custom apparel and accessories for groups and communities, today announced its entry into a definitive agreement to acquire Represent<\/a>, a Los Angeles-based social commerce startup that helps influencers like actors, athletes, musicians, and thought leaders create and sell limited-run t-shirts and merchandise to their fans and followers. With its roots in celebrity-backed social media fundraising campaigns, Represent has attracted high-profile investors including Ashton Kutcher and Guy Oseary of Sound Ventures, James Franco, and WME\/IMG.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the entertainment world, influence is an even more powerful force than fame,\u201d said Bryan Baum, co-founder and CEO of Represent. \u201cRepresent offers a new and innovative way for influential celebrities to mobilize and monetize their passionate and loyal fan bases. The real metric in the world of social commerce is not the number of followers but the tangible actions they take, and the influencers who use Represent have developed deep relationships with their fans who in turn are eager to show their support by buying custom t-shirts and merchandise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Represent has created a sophisticated digital marketing and merchandising platform for influencers to sell merchandise in time-limited campaigns. Represent also works with other influencers, such as prominent YouTubers and independent entrepreneurs, to create and sell affinity-based custom t-shirts and other merchandise, as well as major sports and entertainment brands.<\/p>\n

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\u201cLike CustomInk, Represent is really about helping people build a stronger sense of community,\u201d said Marc Katz, co-founder and CEO of CustomInk. \u201cIf you\u2019re an influential artist or athlete, or you represent one, your interaction with your supporters is precious, and so is your time, and the Represent platform makes it easy to engage in a creative and powerful way. Selling custom apparel with Represent strengthens fan communities, builds personal brands, raises awareness for important causes, and generates strong revenues. We\u2019ve seen the results and talked to the influencers running campaigns, and they love it. It\u2019s exciting to have Represent join the CustomInk team.\u201d<\/p>\n

Represent works with each influencer to design the campaign, then handles all day-to-day management, printing and fulfillment, so the influencer can simply share the campaign with his or her supporters via social media and other channels. While the campaign is running, Represent\u2019s marketing team can offer additional support through automated search and banner ads that increase the campaign\u2019s visibility and reach.<\/p>\n

Influencer-led campaigns on Represent have included:<\/p>\n