Teen stars are mega brands

With the Olsen twins as their model, a host of teen celebrities launch attempts to become brand names.

By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO
Associated Press

Starting this fall, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen -- the twin actresses-turned merchandising moguls -- will have some young celebrity company in store aisles.

Eighteen-year-old actress and singer Hilary Duff and 13-year-olds Dylan and Cole Sprouse -- twin actors and heartthrobs for the prepubescent set -- aim to mimic the success of the mary-kateandashley brand, with plans to bombard stores with a host of products from clothing to home decor.

Experts say they expect plenty of other young copycats hoping to turn their celebrity status into merchandising power among preteens and teens, as did the now 20-year-old Olsen twins, who parlayed their star power into a reportedly billion-dollar international brand, spanning cosmetics to clothing and rugs.
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