• by Sara Guaglione , August 4, 2017

Time Inc. is forming a new division for its annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue to develop licensing programs and brand extensions with the title.

Called Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Enterprises, or SISE, the division will focus on creating new businesses in partnership with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit models “to help enhance” their careers.

SISE has already signed on 15 new models from an open-casting call competition earlier this year.

“By tapping into SI Swimsuit’s enormous reach, unparalleled brand loyalty and talented models, we have extraordinary potential to develop new licensing and business opportunities that span a variety of categories,” stated Sports Illustrated editorial director Chris Stone.

Time Inc. is searching for a general manager to head this new division, which will also house the Sports Illustrated Swim and Active apparel lines, launching early next year with RAJ Swim, the first global apparel license for the publisher.

SISE is one of many recent Time Inc. initiatives to expand its licensing and brand extension businesses. In July, Sports Illustrated also launched SI Eats, a lifestyle-focused vertical to cover the intersection between food and sports.

In April, it introduced an accessories collection from its Real Simple brand and last fall, it opened the first of multiple Southern Living branded retails stores throughout the South.

SISE’s formation follows CEO Rich Battista's announcements on his plans to sell off non-core brands, including Coastal Living, Sunset and Golf, as well as experiential business INVNT.

Battista is also interested in selling off a majority share of Essence.