Iconix Brand Group, Inc., which owns several well known brands such as Joe Boxer, Buffalo Jeans, Mossimo and London Fog, among several others, will become a private company after the board accepted an acquisition offer from Lancer Capital LLC. However, two major law firms have announced they are launching investigations into the deal on behalf of shareholders, with one saying … [Read more...] about Iconix Plans To Go Private After Controversial Acquisition Deal
Who’s News: WarnerMedia Appoints Head of Content Acquisition in Asia Pacific
WarnerMedia has appointed Melissa Lim as its new head of content acquisitions and co-productions for its children's networks in Asia Pacific, which include POGO, Cartoon Network and Boomerang. Lim's brief also includes advising on licensing content to fuel the growing demand for kids and family programming on the regional streaming service HBO GO in Southeast Asia. Lim will be … [Read more...] about Who’s News: WarnerMedia Appoints Head of Content Acquisition in Asia Pacific
NPD Says Toy Sales Soared 27% In Year-To-Date
U.S. toy industry dollar sales increased +27% or +$1.5B between January and April 2021, according to The NPD Group, one of the leading research groups for consumer products and behavior. NPD analysts say both unit sales and average selling price (ASP) increased during the period, up +17% and +9% respectively. Ten of the eleven supercategories tracked by NPD posted double-digit … [Read more...] about NPD Says Toy Sales Soared 27% In Year-To-Date
‘Ocean Loving’ Barbies Made From Ocean-Bound Plastic
In its ongoing drive to become more sustainable, toy giant Mattel is launching a new line of Barbie dolls made from plastic that otherwise could become ocean waste. Appropriately named the Barbie Loves the Ocean collection with a summer fun theme, the collection will initially include three dolls, a beach shack play set and a starter assortment play set. To make the program … [Read more...] about ‘Ocean Loving’ Barbies Made From Ocean-Bound Plastic
Analysis: Netflix Faces Tough Battle Launching Gaming Service
Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Netflix is planning a push into the video game market, with Reuters and The Guardian reporting the streaming giant intends to establish a gaming subscription service similar to Steam, Apple's Arcade service, or Microsoft's Game Pass. As happened with the model of renting movies on CDs, video games are now being downloaded in increasing numbers, … [Read more...] about Analysis: Netflix Faces Tough Battle Launching Gaming Service
Beanstalk Lands Contract With Kelloggs
Beanstalk, a New York-based licensing agency with global reach, has landed a massive contract with Kellogg, one of the world's largest food companies and best-known brands. Kellogg Company says it has appointed Beanstalk as its exclusive food licensing agency to grow Kellogg’s licensed food and beverage categories in the US, Canada, Europe, Japan and South Korea. These … [Read more...] about Beanstalk Lands Contract With Kelloggs
Who’s News: Gamarra Tagged To Adapt Literature to Film
ViacomCBS has created a new role in the company, hiring literary agent Eddie Gamarra as VP of literary affairs for Nickelodeon and Awesomeness. The idea is to improve the company's ability to mine the world's rich vein of literary content for ideas that translate well into TV shows and movies. In this new-to-the-company position, Gamarra will be responsible for sourcing and … [Read more...] about Who’s News: Gamarra Tagged To Adapt Literature to Film
African Animators On The Rise With Disney+, Netflix, Cartoon Network
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Until now, children in Africa didn't really see themselves represented in the shows they watched, as the vast majority of television content was produced in North America, Europe and Asia. It's also a problem for licensees on the continent, as Africa has long lacked home-grown heroes in children's shows, with virtually all licensed products … [Read more...] about African Animators On The Rise With Disney+, Netflix, Cartoon Network
SEGA Adds Two Sonic Toy Partners In Europe
SEGA Europe has announced new licensing partnerships with Wow! Stuff and HoloToyz to mark the 30th anniversary of its flagship property Sonic the Hedgehog. Wow! Stuff will be bringing the speedy video game character to its award-winning Wow! Pods range, which will feature light-up characters from the Sonic universe, housed within interconnecting display cases. In the agreement … [Read more...] about SEGA Adds Two Sonic Toy Partners In Europe
Italian Football Star Joins 44 Cats For Charity Initiative
It's hard to say which Italians love more—cats or football—but you certainly can't go wrong combining the two, as the charity Italia Gattastica has done in a licensing deal between Italian National Team champion Marco Verratti and the four feline protagonists from the popular show 44 Cats. The partnership was formed as the UEFA European Football Championship is around the … [Read more...] about Italian Football Star Joins 44 Cats For Charity Initiative