Elie Dekel On Board Mystery Science Theater 3000

LOS ANGELES: Satellite of Love and Shout! Factory have revealed that Elie Dekel, the former president of Saban Brands, has been appointed strategic brand advisor and worldwide consumer products licensing agent for the cult hit Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K).

Dekel will oversee the branding, licensing and expansion of MST3K. Dekel has been working with Satellite of Love on the development of global licensing programs for the relaunch of the popular entertainment brand. He and the company, which is led by principals Richard Foos, Bob Emmer, Garson Foos and Joel Hodgson, will be meeting with potential partners, licensees and retailers at next week’s Licensing Expo to discuss brand extension opportunities spanning all categories, including publishing, digital gaming, apparel and accessories, collector products, art and room décor.

MST3K, created by Hodgson, made its television debut in 1989 on Comedy Channel. The Peabody Award-winning show follows a human host and his two robot sidekicks aboard the Satellite of Love. Trapped by mad scientists, the host is forced to watch B-rated movies, which he mocks with his robot sidekicks. Late last year, Shout! Factory snapped up the global IP rights for the comedy series and inked a deal with Hodgson to produce new episodes.

Dekel remarked: “Mystery Science Theater 3000 is one of those rare entertainment brands that has consistently grown its audience over more than 25 years through smart comedy, creative innovation and a sincerely devoted fan community. Now, that legion of passionate ‘MSTies’ has banded together to bring MST3K back to life, with the largest film and television crowdfunding campaign ever. The result is an all-new 11th season coming soon to a massive and highly devoted audience.”