Univision to Move Televisa Brands, Telenovelas Included, in U.S.

MEXICO CITY -- Spanish-language media giant Univision announced on Wednesday that it will handle consumer products licensing for Televisa brands in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. 

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The exclusive agreement includes licensing opportunities for Latino household names such as El Chavo, Chapulin Colorado and Televisa's popular telenovelas.

The deal strengthens the business relationship between two of the world's top Spanish-lingo networks. Mexico's Televisa is Univision's main content supplier and it acquired a minority stake in its stateside partner in 2010 after the two companies signed a billion-dollar program license deal.

Maca Rotter, executive director of Televisa Consumer Products, believes the Televisa brand will prove successful for Univison in the lucrative Hispanic market. 

"We are confident that Univision Consumer Products will immediately become the leading Hispanic licensing player within the U.S.," she said.

Francisco Arenas, Rotter's Univision counterpart, will be leading a team focused on securing  merchandising and licensing deals with leading retailers. They'll be pitching Televisa products ranging from toys and games to school supplies and home decor items.

Omar Fajer Valencia, Univision's newly appointed associate director of consumer products and marketing, will oversee the day-to-day operations of Televisa brands on the U.S. end.