Rudolph posts resumé to attract marketers

Did you know that Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer had a nasty contract dispute with Triple Crown-winning racehorse Secretariat that kept him from guiding Santa’s sleigh in 1978? This is just one of many little-known ‘facts’ that can be found on Northpoletalent.com, an online mock talent agency created by brand management firm Character Arts to spur interest in picking up a Rudolph license for Christmastime ad campaigns. Though the character is more than 40 years old, the classic special – not to mention the canonized song associated with it – has an evergreen appeal for both adults and kids. An existing merch program covers everything from Hallmark and Lennox products to junior fashion brand Junk Food. Character Arts principal Jonathan Flom says his company will be choosy about licensing out the character for marketing programs, and the key to getting a nod is a tasteful and property-appropriate planogram.