Alliance Entertainment Acquires Handmade by Robots

Alliance teams up with BDA to accelerate growth for highly sought-after vinyl-figure collectibles

PLANTATION, Fla., Dec. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation, a global distributor and wholesaler specializing in music, movies, video games, electronics, arcades, toys, and collectibles, is proud to announce the acquisition of Handmade by Robots, a highly sought-after line of collectible vinyl figures. This acquisition bolsters Alliance Entertainment’s growing collectibles division and reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to offering unique and innovative licensed products to its retail partners and collectors worldwide.

Handmade by Robots: A Perfect Fit for Collectors

Handmade by Robots creates unique licensed vinyl figures that replicate the aesthetic of knitted or crocheted plush toys, featuring detailed “knit-like” patterns sculpted into the vinyl. Known for their artistic appeal and licensed characters from beloved franchises like DC Comics, Ghostbusters, Harry Potter, Star Trek, and Stranger Things, Handmade by Robots has captured the hearts of fans and collectors alike. Their product line includes durable, beautifully designed collectibles in various sizes, catering to both casual enthusiasts and dedicated collectors.

“We are super excited to add Handmade by Robots to our assortment of exclusive licensed products and bring their incredible designs to collectors worldwide,” said Jeff Walker, CEO of Alliance Entertainment. “This acquisition will launch us into the licensed collectible business, leveraging our strong relationships with entertainment licensors to create a wide range of iconic characters. The unique design and branding of Handmade by Robots is a home run, and we can’t wait to produce your favorite characters and limited, exclusive chase versions that collectors will love.”

A “chase version” refers to a rare variant of a collectible figure, featuring unique design differences from the standard version with a limited production quantity. These rare editions are highly valued by collectors for their scarcity and distinctive appeal.

Strategic Growth and Market Expansion

With Handmade by Robots now part of its portfolio, Alliance Entertainment plans to focus on producing a curated selection of top-tier licensed products featuring the most well-known and beloved characters from movies, TV, music artists, video games, and anime. By leveraging Alliance’s extensive distribution network and partnerships with major retailers such as Costco, Walmart, Target, and Hot Topic, as well as ecommerce retailers like Amazon, eBay, SHEIN, and more, the company is poised to significantly expand the reach and visibility of Handmade by Robots’ unique collectible line. Alliance will also sell globally to its customers located in 72 countries.

The Handmade by Robots website, handmadebyrobots.com, will serve as the definitive destination for fans, featuring the full range of products and offering exclusive releases. The brand’s Instagram strategy will further engage collectors and expand its reach, with every new item shared on its growing Instagram account. Handmade by Robots aims to foster a community of fans showcasing their collectibles in unique and exotic locations around the world, while leveraging influencer partnerships and promotional campaigns to drive significant sales through social media.

Alliance acquired Handmade by Robots from Bensussen Deutsch & Associates LLC (BDA), the world’s leading Merchandise Agency™ for Fortune 1000 enterprise companies, entertainment properties, and activation partner for iconic sports leagues and teams around the globe.

Moving forward, Alliance and BDA will collaborate to support the continued growth and success of Handmade by Robots. This partnership leverages Alliance’s global distribution network and expertise in collectibles alongside BDA’s proven track record in merchandising innovation and manufacturing, positioning the brand for long-term success. BDA will continue to provide design and manufacturing services in this great alignment of the two powerhouse companies.

“This is just the beginning of what we see as a very exciting journey for Handmade by Robots under the Alliance Entertainment umbrella,” Walker added. “We are eager to build on the success these products have already achieved, introducing them to even more fans and collectors around the world while continuing to innovate and expand the collectability of Handmade by Robots.”

About Alliance Entertainment

Alliance Entertainment (NASDAQ: AENT) is a premier distributor of music, movies, toys, collectibles, and consumer electronics. We offer over 325,000 unique in-stock SKU’s, including over 57,300 exclusive compact discs, vinyl LP records, DVDs, Blu-rays, and video games. Complementing our vast media catalog, we also stock a full array of related accessories, toys, and collectibles. With more than thirty-five years of distribution experience, Alliance Entertainment serves customers of every size, providing a robust suite of services to resellers and retailers worldwide. Our efficient processing and essential seller tools noticeably reduce the costs associated with administrating multiple vendor relationships, while helping omni-channel retailers expand their product selection and fulfillment goals. For more information, visit www.aent.com.

About BDA
Bensussen Deutsch & Associates, LLC (BDA) is a global Merchandise Agency™ providing customized marketing, branded merchandise, e-commerce, and fulfillment solutions for iconic sports organizations, entertainment properties and Fortune 1000 enterprises. With over 40 years of experience, BDA brings brands closer to their customers by providing highly engaging promotional products and branded merchandise experiences. Renowned clients across automotive, sports, technology, entertainment, medical, fitness, and beverage industries rely on BDA to activate, inspire, and promote their events, employees, and brands. BDA is the largest, independently owned branded merchandise agency with operations in over 50 locations worldwide. For more information on the power of merchandise, visit www.bdainc.com.