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Google Cloud and Authentic Brands Group (Authentic) today announced a strategic partnership at NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show, utilizing Google's Gemini and Vertex AI platform to enhance collaboration, creativity, and efficiency across Authentic's operations. Authentic has developed Authentic Intelligence, a proprietary AI platform built on Vertex AI, to accelerate workflows and drive profitability for its portfolio of over 50 global brands generating more than $32 billion in annual retail sales across 150 countries.
Quick Intel
Accelerating Creativity and Business Growth with AI
Authentic Intelligence equips teams in marketing, creative, finance, and business development to operate with greater speed and precision. By integrating Google Cloud's AI capabilities, the platform enables rapid scaling of processes without compromising consistency across Authentic's diverse brand portfolio, which includes icons like Reebok, Champion, Shaquille O'Neal, and Juicy Couture.
Specialized Agents Driving Key Functions
The platform's agents target specific business areas for maximum impact. In business development, they compile comprehensive profiles of potential partners to streamline lead generation and identify licensing prospects efficiently. For brand management and creative teams, brand-specific agents ensure outputs align with each brand's unique voice and visual standards, while Google Veo integration produces tailored videos directly from text descriptions. In licensing and legal operations, agents assist with contract analysis and review to improve accuracy and reduce turnaround times.
"In an environment that moves fast, you can't afford to wait weeks for creative ideas. Authentic is using AI to give its teams their time back," said Jose Gomes, vice president, Retail & Consumer Goods, Google Cloud. "By using Google Cloud and Gemini, Authentic is working faster and smarter—proving that a spark of inspiration can quickly become a global campaign—all while ensuring every piece of content, from SHAQ to Reebok and Juicy Couture, stays true to the brand's DNA."
"Authentic Intelligence empowers our teams to create and grow our business with the entrepreneurial spirit our company was built on: independence, hustle and excellence," said Adam Kronengold, chief digital officer, Authentic. "Building our Authentic Intelligence toolbox with Google Cloud's AI capabilities allows our teams to rapidly scale workflows, asset creation and reporting, while maintaining consistency across our brands and organizational processes."
Proven Impact and Widespread Adoption
With high employee engagement—80% weekly usage—the platform delivers tangible results, including significantly improved ad performance for brands like Reebok through AI-enhanced creatives. This partnership positions Authentic to leverage AI for stronger collaboration, faster innovation, and sustained growth in a competitive retail and licensing landscape.
About Authentic Brands Group Authentic Brands Group (Authentic) is a leading sports, media, entertainment and lifestyle platform. As the owner of some of the most iconic and beloved intellectual property in the world, Authentic acquires and invests in brands to create long-term value for all of its stakeholders. A digital-first, asset-light platform, Authentic sits at the intersection of culture, commerce and technology. It brings brands to life and cultivates fandom through powerful storytelling, premium content and unforgettable live experiences. Together with nearly 2,000 best-in-class licensing partners across 150 countries and an expansive distribution network, Authentic's brands drive more than $32 billion in annual systemwide retail sales worldwide. Authentic's diversified portfolio spans more than 50 brands and reaches nearly one billion social media followers. Its roster includes Reebok, Champion, Shaquille O'Neal, David Beckham, Kevin Hart, Sports Illustrated, Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali, Marilyn Monroe, Aéropostale, Nautica, Eddie Bauer, Lucky Brand, Nine West, Brooks Brothers, Juicy Couture, Vince Camuto, Izod, Van Heusen, Dockers, Ted Baker, Hart Schaffner Marx, Vince, Barneys New York, Judith Leiber, Quiksilver, Spyder, Billabong, Volcom, Roxy, RVCA, DC Shoes, Prince, Sperry and Hunter. For more information, visit authentic.com. Follow Authentic on LinkedIn, Instagram and WeChat.
About Google Cloud
Google Cloud is the new way to the cloud, providing AI, infrastructure, developer, data, security, and collaboration tools built for today and tomorrow. Google Cloud offers a powerful, fully integrated and optimized AI stack with its own planet-scale infrastructure, custom-built chips, generative AI models and development platform, as well as AI-powered applications, to help organizations transform. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted technology partner.
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