Sakar Acquires Vivitar Brand

Consumer electronics manufacturer Sakar International today announced the acquisition of the Vivitar worldwide brand name and associated intellectual property from Syntax-Brillian Corporation, the parent company of 70-year-old photographic equipment maker Vivitar Corporation. The acquisition equips Sakar with a well-known camera brand that the company will use to expand its own mass-market camera line, add higher-price camera SKUs, introduce other Vivitar-branded consumer products, and gain overall market visibility. Sakar is a market leader in digital cameras and related accessories to the mass retail channel and a producer of various other technology, toy and consumer electronic products. The company’s current camera products retail from $20 to $100. The Vivitar-branded cameras that Sakar plans to introduce will sell for $70 to $300, enabling the company to reach a new market segment that will significantly broaden its customer base and market penetration. The new products will leverage Vivitar’s existing SKUs, patents and engineering expertise. In addition, Sakar plans to add other Vivitar-branded products, including camera accessories and digital photo frames, as well as explore licensing opportunities in various categories. Sakar currently holds licenses for major brand franchises including Crayola, Hello Kitty, Star Wars, Leap Frog, Spiderman, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Jeep, Made for iPod and For Dummies. “This acquisition positions our company to substantially increase market share in the camera space as well as leverage the Vivitar brand name in numerous other ways,” said Sakar CEO and founder Charles Saka. “It is a core building block for our next phase of growth.” “Linking ourselves to Vivitar will strengthen our presence on the retail shelf while also enabling retailers to buy more product from a single source,” added Sakar COO Ralph Sasson. “We will now have an even more extensive product line at multiple price points.” Vivitar was founded in 1938 and grew to become a leading manufacturer of both digital and film cameras, including one of the broadest product lines of digital cameras spanning entry-level VGA cameras to twelve-megapixel digital cameras with zoom optics for the amateur and serious digital photographer. The company was acquired by Syntax-Brillian in 2006. Sakar’s acquisition of Vivitar was completed on August 21, 2008. Sakar did not purchase Vivitar’s equipment, facilities or receivables. Terms were not disclosed.

Sakar Mini Portable Lighting Studio PS-103

Sakar International, Inc., an over three decade-long brand in consumer electronics and the market leader for rechargeable batteries announced today the addition of new product from its Digital Concepts division: a Mini Portable Lighting Studio. The new Digital Concepts item will be introduced at the 2007 International CES, Las Vegas Convention Center, Booth #14938, January 8 – 11.

Sakar International’s new Mini Portable Lighting Studio is a complete lighting studio that is ideal for use with digital cameras. Following in the footsteps of last year’s very successful PS-101 Lighting Studio, the new – and considerably smaller - Mini Portable Lighting Studio caters to retailers with more limited shelf space. The retail box dimensions for the PS-101 were 17”x16.75”x3.5” vs. the new PS-103 9.5”x9.25”x3.75”. The Mini Studio features a light box with a two-sided background and is designed for easy set up, either on a tabletop or on the floor. The light box is made of a special woven, heat resistant nylon fiber mesh diffuser, which helps deliver uniform, illumination while eliminating reflective glare and harsh shadows. The dual sided background is made up of non-reflective polyester fabric. The Blue/Grey provides for contrast with either dark or light objects, as well as creates an infinite depth of field. The Portable Lighting Studio also comes with two high power 20-watt lamps that provide even color temperature and clarity. Each lamp is supported by retractable legs that allow for hand held use. The built-in carry case makes the lighting studio truly portable and is constructed of durable nylon material with three pockets to hold the lights and tripod, and a carry handle to make it convenient for traveling. The Mini Portable Lighting Studio is available for $79.99. Image (c) Sakar International - All rights reserved - http://www.sakar.com/

Sakar get Creative with Crayola

Sakar International, Inc. announced today that it has been tapped to develop a line of kids’ electronic products for Crayola®. This news comes on the heels of recent licensing deals announced by the company including, DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek 3, For Dummies, Out of Order and The Spy Academy.

Sakar has been granted the rights for Digital Still and Video Cameras, Digital Photo Frames, Flashlights and Computer Accessories. The line of kids’ electronic products under the Crayola brand, aimed at Crayola’s core audience of children aged two to seven years old, will be highly interactive and colorful, combining learning with fun and value. For instance, the digital camera will come complete with proprietary software that includes games, editing techniques and fun crafts kids can create from their photos. Product is expected to be on-shelf at mass and specialty retailers beginning Spring 2007 and will debut to the trade at the 2007 International CES, Las Vegas Convention Center, Booth #14938, January 8 – 11.

Crayola, the #1 brand of children’s art products, has had an established licensing program for over twenty years creating products that moms and teachers trust in a variety of categories including apparel, accessories, bed and bath, publishing, stationery, toys, personal care, consumer electronics, giftware, collectibles and food. In 2005, Crayola was awarded the distinguished honor of ‘Best Corporate License’ by LIMA.

Logo (c) Crayola - All rights reserved