It's been more than two decades since Batman was resurrected - rebranded - to the mainstream world, and it's largely due to a boy and his dream.

"I wasn't just rejected from every studio in Hollywood; I was emphatically rejected because Batman was known only as a punch line to a joke," says Michael Uslan, who became one of the highest-grossing movie executive producers of all time with the Batman film franchise. He writes about his personal journey in rebranding his hero to the world in his memoir, The Boy Who Loved Batman (www.theboywholovedbatman.com).

"When I watched the sitcom in 1966, I was both thrilled and horrified - the former because my idol was on TV with a cool car, and the latter because people were laughing at Batman and that just killed me. I knew then that my purpose in life was to show everyone who the Dark Knight really was."

Uslan reviews some of the reasons the Batman franchise became one of the most successful in film history:

• A talented team: Thanks to genius filmmakers like Christopher Nolan and Tim Burton, super producers, daring execs, amazing casts, and incredible crews, the rebranding of the character became so strong that the word "Batman" wasn't even included in the titles of the last two films, "The Dark Knight" and "The Dark Knight Rises."

• Branding - a built-in narrative: A cool symbol, check; tall, dark and handsome, check; a relatable origin story (no superpowers) check; great technology for the character to use against villains, check ... You know a brand has hit the mark when a logo conveys all of the key points. But rebranding can be tricky. Uslan knew about the innate potential, but Hollywood couldn't see Batman as the Dark Knight after the 1960s sitcom, which is why it took a decade after acquiring the rights to Batman to actually start production. Rebranding is often the art of uncovering a product's past, he says.

• Branding - a safer investment: Other successful movies this year -- Marvel's "The Avengers" and "The Amazing Spider-Man," "The Hunger Games" - all carry strong brands. Most successful products, in and out of Hollywood, have successful brands behind them, Uslan notes. When a brand has been established, it becomes a safer risk for investors and opens multiple revenue streams across many platforms.

• Unwavering conviction: How does a middle-class kid in his 20s, the son of a stonemason and a bookkeeper, buy the film rights to Batman? How does that same guy create the comic-to-film craze that society has witnessed in the past two decades when no one believed in his vision? Every time his resolve was questioned, it came down to the same answer, "I had 100 percent confidence it would work," Uslan says.

"Branding is absolutely the most important aspect to marketing any product these days," Uslan says. "We succeeded. I believed 100 percent in a vision that involved my favorite super-hero of all time, a character the world recognized and responded to across borders and even cultures. Batman needed to be presented in a way he'd only been seen in the comic books - as the Dark Knight."

About Michael Uslan

Michael Uslan, (www.theuslancompany.com), is the Originator and Executive Producer, along with his partner Benjamin Melniker, of the Batman franchise of motion pictures. In his 36 years in the film and television industry, he has been involved with such projects as "National Treasure," "Constantine," and countless animated projects. His projects have won Oscars, Golden Globes and Emmy Awards. He is the author of "The Boy Who Loved Batman," his autobiography, now in bookstores and at amazon.com.

Company was first joint partnership announced under Loebsack-Schilling Arsenal law

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after he met with the leadership of Mack Defense.  Earlier this year, the Rock Island Arsenal (RIA) Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC) and Mack Defense announced a public-private partnership.  The agreement was the first of its kind since provisions authored by Congressmen Loebsack and Bobby Schilling (IL-17) were included in the FY2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).  This agreement will provide Mack Defense access to the only remaining U.S. Army foundry and the Army's only vertically integrated metal manufacturing facility and support good jobs at JMTC.

"I was pleased to meet with the leaders of Mack Defense today to get an update about the work they will be doing with the Arsenal.  I was proud to have worked with Congressman Schilling and the bipartisan delegation to give the Arsenal the ability to utilize these types of partnerships to support good jobs and strengthen the Arsenal. I will continue my work to ensure the Arsenal remains strong."

"Today's announcement is another reminder just how far our economy has to go to fully recover and how much work Congress should be doing. My thoughts go to those and their families who are affected by this news.

"This announcement also demonstrates the need for Congress to act and renew the Production Tax Credit for wind energy.  While this is not fully the cause, renewing the tax credit, which has broad, bipartisan support, will give the wind energy industry the stability it needs.  Congress should not be going home to campaign at a time when so much critical work remains unfinished.  The livelihood of thousands of Iowans depends on the renewal of the credit."

Calls Mexican Independence Day a time to honor a century of friendship, trade

CHICAGO, IL - September 15, 2012.  On the eve of Mexican Independence Day, Governor Pat Quinn today announced that Illinois exports to Mexico in the first half of 2012 topped $3 billion - a 13.7 percent increase over the previous year and a new record high. The state's robust trading relationship with Mexico has been enhanced by the Illinois Office of Trade and Investment in Mexico City, as well as a century-long tradition of friendship and trade between Illinois and Mexico. Illinois exports overall are at the highest level in a decade and today's announcement is the latest step towards Governor Quinn's goal of doubling Illinois exports by 2015.

"Illinois is home to world-class goods and services, and we should utilize all of our assets to get a competitive edge in global markets," Governor Quinn said. "One of our most valuable resources is a century-long tradition of friendship and trade with Mexico, which we honor on days such as Mexican Independence Day."

Mexico has played a key role in Illinois' rise in exports, with 20 percent growth in 2010 and 34 percent growth in 2011. In his push to increase trade, the Governor established a high-level Export Advisory Council comprised of the State's top CEOs and private sector leaders to craft strategies for boosting exports, while serving as global ambassadors for the State.

Governor Quinn - who marched in the Mexican Independence Day Parade in Chicago's La Villita last week - noted that Mexican immigration to Chicago began in earnest exactly 100 years ago. Illinois has enjoyed a strong relationship with places such as Michoacán, Monterrey and Mexico City, and these ties are translating into healthy trading opportunities.

The Illinois Office of Trade and Investment - located on Mexico City's bustling Paseo de La Reforma - has been providing small and medium-sized Illinois businesses with expertise in all phases of export development as well as partner contacts in Mexico. The Office provides critical support to any Illinois business wanting to enter the Mexican market. In 2011, Mexico accounted for nearly 9 percent of Illinois' total export portfolio with $5.7 billion in exports, and - in the post-NAFTA era - ranks second only to Canada as a trading partner.  Exported goods to Mexico include machinery, agriculture products, electronics and chemicals.

The Mexican-origin population living and working in Illinois (1.6 million persons, or 12.5% of the State's population, according to the 2010 Census) is also an important component in the commercial, investment, social and cultural relationship that generates economic benefits to both Illinois and Mexico. Further, some Illinois municipalities have established "sister city" relationships in Mexico as well: Naperville with Pátzcuaro, Michoacán; Highland Park with Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco; Springfield with San Pedro de Las Colonias, Coahuila; Kankakee with Guanajuato, and Chicago with Mexico City.

Illinois continues to rank first in the Midwest for exports and was the sixth-largest U.S. exporting state in 2011. More information about Illinois trade and business opportunities can be found on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's website at www.illinoisbiz.biz.