Dino Inks Deal

The late Dean Martin’s trust recently signed a deal with EMI that could bring a little more ring-a-ding Dean to a department store near you.

The company announced in a statement October 30th that it will act as licensing agent for the late Rat Packer’s music, name, image and likeness, seeking out “licensing opportunities with home furnishings, fashion and hospitality brands” for Dino.

EMI will continue to market Martin’s recording catalogs worldwide, while searching out the new prospects to offset the trend of declining sales in traditional music formats like the CD.

Martin’s music has been used on both the small and big screen for years, most recently appearing in advertisements for MasterCard, Heineken, Microsoft and Carl’s Jr., as well as TV shows “The Sopranos” and “The West Wing.”

EMI has forged previous deals with artists such as Korn and Robbie Williams, to oversee the non-recording aspects of their careers including merchandising, touring, and publishing. In a similar vein, CKX signed a licensing contract with the estate of Elvis Presley in the last year.

In terms of the financial gains artists or their estates reap from such deals, one need only look to the recent Forbes top-earning dead celebrity list. Kurt Cobain made his first appearance at the top of the list October 24th after Courtney Love inked a deal with Primary Wave Music Publishing to license Nirvana’s music, netting $50 million.