Theaters from across the U.S. and around the world met in Las Vegas last week for CinemaCon, the official convention of the National Association of Theater Owners. Splashy, star-studded presentations and premiere screenings are norm at CinemaCon and this year was no exception: Disney screened Captain America: Civil War in its entirety, and Warner Bros. trotted out stars … [Read more...] about Studios Talk Up Future Releases at CinemaCon
Branded Weed in Full Bloom
2016 may be the year the market for celebrity licensed marijuana products finally takes off. Marley Natural, the official Bob Marley cannabis brand, went on sale in California in February, with plans to expand to other U.S. states where cannabis is legal in 2016 and internationally in 2017. Whoopi Goldberg's Whoopi & Maya brand, a line of cannabis products created to … [Read more...] about Branded Weed in Full Bloom
Turtles Toys Twice as Big as 2014
Licensed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figures from Playmates were the top toy of 2014, according to The NPD Group, when the last franchise feature film was in theaters. In an effort to build on that success, the toy lines for this year's TMNT: Out of the Shadows are expected to be twice as big, sources recently told TLL. Nickelodeon last week announced lines from Playmates … [Read more...] about Turtles Toys Twice as Big as 2014
Giorgio Armani Becomes Latest High Profile Fashion Designer to Go Fur Free
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. Respondents to TLL's Annual Licensing Business Survey have waxed poetic about the need for personal connection between brand and customer for years. But while the objective remains the same, the tactics are changing. Forging personal connections now requires engagement at the community level. "Today's consumer judges brands not just by quality but the … [Read more...] about Giorgio Armani Becomes Latest High Profile Fashion Designer to Go Fur Free
Emily Weiss Gives Beauty a Millennial Makeover
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. Unless you're a close follower of the beauty market, this week's launch of the Glossier (pronounced "glossy AY," as in "dossier") Phase 2 Set might have escaped your notice. But while the new makeup set is no game changer, Emily Weiss, the persona behind the Glossier brand is. Weiss and the digital company she founded three years ago are in many ways the … [Read more...] about Emily Weiss Gives Beauty a Millennial Makeover
NBA Licensing, Like Basketball Itself, Is About Star Power
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. No league relies more heavily on star power than the NBA. From Bird and Magic to Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and current golden boy and reigning MVP Stephen Curry, charismatic superstars own not just the hardwood but the store shelves. The Fashion Factor The NBA has been called the world's most fashionable and fashion-conscious sports league. Stephon … [Read more...] about NBA Licensing, Like Basketball Itself, Is About Star Power
2015 Retail Sales of Licensed Goods in U.S./Canada Top $103 Billion; Entertainment, Sports Drive 3.4% Growth
Retail sales of licensed goods in the U.S. and Canada grew a robust 3.4% in 2015, according to The Licensing Letter’s Annual Licensing Business Survey. At just under $103.3 billion, total sales surpassed the $100 billion mark for only the second time. 2015 is the fifth up year in a row for the U.S./Canada licensing business. This year’s 3.4% increase not only exceeded the 2.5% … [Read more...] about 2015 Retail Sales of Licensed Goods in U.S./Canada Top $103 Billion; Entertainment, Sports Drive 3.4% Growth
Freshness Eludes Celebrity Scents
By Marcy Magiera Despite a small rush of celebrity-licensed fragrances introduced to retail in the late summer and fall, the category still smells off, with marketers Elizabeth Arden, Coty and Parlux all reporting recent sales declines as a result of soft demand for mass market scents. Elizabeth Arden reported earlier this month that sales for its fiscal second quarter, ended … [Read more...] about Freshness Eludes Celebrity Scents
Is Rachael Ray the Next Big Celebrity Lifestyle Brand?
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. POP QUIZ "I'm not an interior designer. But I've developed my own take on all things home and creating a [home furnishings] collection that represents my daily life is a natural evolution for my lifestyle brand." Question Which celebrity said this? Taylor Swift Jessica Alba Reese Witherspoon Gwyneth Paltrow None of the above Answer None of … [Read more...] about Is Rachael Ray the Next Big Celebrity Lifestyle Brand?
TOTY’s Top Toys Hit the Nostalgic, Tech Sweet Spots
By Karina Masolova The 113th North American International Toy Fair once again played host to the The Toy Industry Association's annual Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards. Three of the top toys are licensed—sweeping the boy's, girl's and preschool categories—with Doc McStuffins in the top stop for the preschool and overall toy of the year. Unsurprisingly, the top brand was Disney's … [Read more...] about TOTY’s Top Toys Hit the Nostalgic, Tech Sweet Spots