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About us
Our story
Since 1975, Dead Famous has specialised in securing licences for the commercial use of photography, film and video featuring legendary movie stars, musicians, cultural figures and historical icons.
We connect world-famous imagery with brands, agencies, manufacturers and creative teams, helping them unlock the commercial potential of the most recognisable faces and moments in popular culture.
From advertising campaigns and endorsements to packaging, publishing, retail and merchandising, Dead Famous manages the complex licensing process behind bringing iconic personalities into commercial projects. We work closely with Rights Holders, Estates, Image Libraries, Copyright Owners and Studios to navigate permissions and negotiate the necessary usage licences.
50+
Years negotiating rights with Estates and archives.
400
Icons and personalities across film, music and sports.
4
Offices in London, New York, Los Angeles and the UK.
100%
Usage legally cleared, documented and rights managed.
Gallery
How we work
01
We start with your vision of the campaign. The proposed Budget, Territory, Term & Usage.
02
We propose suitable Icon images within budget and negotiate commercial usage rights with copyright owners.
03
We secure approval and negotiate the best terms directly with the Icon's Estate for commercial use of copyright imagery, film or video.
04
We draft and manage all contracts, permissions and licences, and facilitate payment of agreed licence fees to the Estate.
Contact
Copyright of all images and video used on this site are either owned by us or used with the permission or knowledge of the registered copyright owners. We will always work with the registered copyright owners for any enquiry we receive. The use of images and names herein does not imply exclusive management or representation by us nor that we were wholly responsible for any specific endorsement or activity shown herein. All images used on this site are examples for illustrative purposes only as a free reference resource for the advertising, marketing and public relations industries and not intended for public access. We work in partnership with many representatives of Talent and Estates and are grateful for their consideration in permitting us to reproduce images and videos on this site. All fees and terms are subject to specific quotation and subject to contract.