SAN DIEGO, July 14, 2015—Coastal Brand Management, a national full-service business development company specializing in representation and licensing, announced today it has signed renowned artist Eric Johnson for talent representation, brand extension and merchandise licensing opportunities.
An award-winning photographer, Johnson’s archive reveals an extensive collection of iconic shots of a diverse and sophisticated array of subjects—from Muhammad Ali, Notorious B.I.G., Aaliyah, Cindy Sherman, Spalding Gray, and Jeremy Blake, to Erykah Badu, Gus Van Sant, Peter Max, Al Green, Bruno Mars, and countless other notable names in the worlds of music, film, art, sports, fashion, and popular culture.
Johnson’s work has graced the pages of some of the world’s most prominent publications, including The New York Times, Vogue,Dazed & Confused, The Fader,and Rolling Stone, and a number of album covers, such as The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, De La Soul’s Stakes Is High, and Maxwell’s Now, Urban Hang Suite, and BLACKsummers’night, among others. His first book, titledCommon, was commissioned by MTV and published in 2001, and his first solo show was held at New York’s Buia Gallery in 2004. His work has since been featured in numerous photo books and art exhibitions.
His recognitions include a ‘Communication Arts Photography Annual Award of Excellence’ in 1998, and ‘Creativity International Awards’ for his photos of Lady Gaga and Lil Wayne shot for the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards. Johnson and his legendary 1995 shoot of The Notorious B.I.G. & Faith Evans were recently highlighted in National Geographic’s 2014 docu-series “The 90’s: The Last Great Decade?,” examining momentous people and events of that decade.
Johnson’s current large-scale series of portraiture and candid work, titled HEADS, documents the multitude of people from all walks of life who pass through his Midtown Manhattan loft. Reminiscent of old-school New York, the space, Upstairs At Eric’s, is a place where ideas, creativity, and energies combine. Upstairs At Eric’s has become synonymous with a lifestyle and aesthetic that has attracted high-profile clientele to commission Johnson for campaigns inspired by him and the space itself. Just this month, Upstairs At Eric’s received the 2015 Best of Manhattan Award, an annual award honoring achievements of local Manhattan businesses. Upstairs At Eric’s was selected as the winner in the Arts & Entertainment category.
“Eric is one of the most talented photographers of our time,” said Paul Leonhardt. “His high level of composition and acute insight into the creative process has elevated not only the art of photography, but also the iconic subjects of his images. We are thrilled to partner with him and have the opportunity to share his incredible work on a major scale.”
Coastal Brand Management will represent Eric Johnson and seek out licensing partnerships for his artwork across a variety of categories, including apparel, bags, accessories, books/publishing, social expression and more. Additionally, the team will pursue media opportunities for the Upstairs At Eric’s concept.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to follow my passion at an early age and work with some of the most talented and influential personalities of all time,” said Eric Johnson. “It’s exciting to continuously see people deeply connect with my work, and I’m thrilled about the possibility of licensing and merchandising it. I’m also looking forward to sharing some of the creative energy and soul regularly present Upstairs At Eric’s.”
About Coastal Brand Management
Coastal Brand Management is a full-service business development company that works closely with luxury brands, celebrities and athletes. The company specializes in all forms of representation, licensing, strategic partnerships, product development, manufacturing, financing and marketing strategy. Founded by industry veterans Paul Leonhardt and Jed Ferdinand, Coastal Brand Management strategically aligns talent, brands, manufacturers and other partners for brand extension and growth opportunities. The company is headquartered in La Jolla, Calif. and New York, N.Y. For more information, visit www.coastalbrandmanagement.com
About Eric Johnson
Eric Johnson is an award-winning photographer and artist whose archive reveals an extensive collection of iconic shots of influential personalities in the worlds of music, film, art, sports, fashion, and popular culture. Eric’s current large-scale series of portraiture and candid work, titled HEADS, documents the multitude of people from all walks of life who pass through his Midtown Manhattan loft. Winner of the 2015 Best of Manhattan Award for Arts & Entertainment, Upstairs At Eric’s is a place where ideas, creativity, and energies combine. For more information, visit http://www.upstairsaterics.org/