- Kevin Hart has entered a strategic partnership with Authentic Brands Group and becomes a shareholder in the company.
- The deal makes Hart a co-owner and manager of the Kevin Hart brand to expand into new products, platforms and markets.
- Authentic’s global platform (50+ brands, nearly 1 billion followers) will help scale Hart’s businesses and live experiences.
H2: Deal highlights — what the partnership covers
Kevin Hart has announced a strategic partnership with Authentic Brands Group (Authentic). Under the agreement, Hart and Authentic will co-own and manage the Kevin Hart brand. Hart also takes an ownership stake in Authentic, joining the company’s roster of high-profile partners.
Authentic is a digital-first, asset-light platform that owns more than 50 brands and works with nearly 2,000 licensing partners across 150 countries. The company’s brands generate roughly $32 billion in annual systemwide retail sales and reach nearly one billion social media followers — a scale that will be used to grow the Kevin Hart brand across consumer products, digital platforms and live experiences.
H3: Why this matters for Kevin Hart’s business
For Kevin Hart, the move is about accelerating growth and diversifying his business footprint. Hart has built a broad business portfolio: Hartbeat Productions, HartBeat Ventures, partnerships with Fabletics, Gran Coramino tequila, VitaHustle and Hartfelt pet food, plus global touring, film and streaming projects. He brings an audience of roughly 292 million social media followers and a career box office tally of more than $4.23 billion.
Hart described the partnership as a chance to take the Kevin Hart brand “to the next level,” emphasizing long-term legacy and multi-generational brand value. Authentic’s CEO Jamie Salter said Hart’s creative vision and business instincts align with Authentic’s strategy to build entertainment-driven intellectual property globally.
H4: Where the Kevin Hart brand could expand next
Authentic will help extend Hart’s brand into new verticals and geographies. Expected areas of growth include:
- Consumer products and licensed merchandise
- State-of-the-art digital platforms and content
- Collaborations with global retail partners
- Live events and experiential offerings
The partnership mirrors Authentic’s approach with other talent-driven IP, such as David Beckham and Shaquille O’Neal, combining cultural reach with retail and licensing capabilities.
H4: What to watch
Expect announcements over coming months about specific product lines, platform launches and retail partnerships carrying the Kevin Hart name. As a shareholder, Hart will also participate in Authentic’s broader growth strategy, potentially influencing future deals and collaborations.
This deal signals an increasing trend of entertainers turning brand equity into long-term, diversified businesses by partnering with major IP platforms. For fans and consumers, it means more Kevin Hart-branded products and experiences worldwide — backed by Authentic’s global distribution and licensing network.
Image Referance: https://corporate.authentic.com/press-releases/kevin-hart-strategic-partnership-authentic-brands-group-scale-brand-business-worldwide
