By Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com. The Jordan Brand makes its first-ever women's collaboration with editorial approval from Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintor. The Air Jordan 1 High Zip “AWOK,” is named after Wintour's signature on approved editorial or creative pages of the magazine, and will be followed by the Air Jordan 3 “AWOK,” to be released the next … [Read more...] about Fashion Track: Sneakers, Apparel & Fitness
Celebrity
Content Watch: New Series & Activations
Differential Brands Group will acquire the majority of Hong Kong-based Global Brands Group Holding Ltd.’s North American licensing business for $1.38 billion in an all-cash deal expected to close Q3 2018. The acquisition is expected to boost Differential Brands’ annual revenues up to more than $2.3 billion. The assets at stake comprise all of GBG's North American children’s … [Read more...] about Content Watch: New Series & Activations
Retail & Legal Tracker
U.S. retailers are stocking up on merchandise in advance of potential tariffs on Chinese imports, according to the National Retail Federation’s latest monthly Global Tracker report. The number of cargo containers to be received at U.S. ports that are forecasted for July and August would each set new records for the number of containers imported in a single month; the first half … [Read more...] about Retail & Legal Tracker
Streaming & Experiential Power Up
DreamWorksTV, a division of Awesomeness that creates family-friendly digital content distributed via YouTube, partners with Amazon to launch its first subscription offering. The individual OTT network will offer exclusive programming including Schneck & Eck Crack The Case, Action Figures In Action, Secret Agent Challenge, and Neighborhood Super Watch. Global streaming … [Read more...] about Streaming & Experiential Power Up
Keeping Up With the Kardashians
By: Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com Kim Kardashian launches her first direct-to-consumer venture in the fragrance category under her KKW Beauty brand. The limited-edition fragrances are first come, first serve—but the star also plans to release new scents in time for Valentine's Day. Sales were exclusively digital, albeit with a small launch at e-commerce site … [Read more...] about Keeping Up With the Kardashians
Around the World—10/30/2017
Epic Rights and Pan Inc. will develop music artist and celebrity merchandising and branding opportunities in Japan together. Epic executives Lisa Streff and Dan Levin will manage the day-to-day business with Pan Inc. American eSports organization Cloud9 has raised $25 million in Series A financing from companies and parties including WWE, the Beverly Hills Sports Council, … [Read more...] about Around the World—10/30/2017
Roundup: Business & Legal
The parentco of Coach, Kate Spade New York, and Stuart Weitzman will re-brand itself as Tapestry effective Oct. 31, 2017. CEO Victor Luis told WWE that the shift reimagines Coach as a "true house of emotional, desirable brands," that will "extend into new categories and markets" within "the very attractive and growing $80 billion global market for premium handbag and … [Read more...] about Roundup: Business & Legal
A Budding Business
The 4th Annual Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition in NY took place last week, and the buzz is substantially dimmer. Compared to last year, the crowd was more sophisticated, knowledgeable, and connected. But as the cannabis industry becomes more settled, it's also becoming clear that (consumer products) licensing is not going to be a significant player anytime … [Read more...] about A Budding Business
TLL’s Guide to Celebrity-based Properties
This sector includes living actors, actresses, models, chefs, business executives, and others. (Musicians, athletes, and artists are categorized under “Music,” “Sports,” and “Art,” respectively.) While many celebrity-based deals include endorsements and promotional tie-ins, we look exclusively at the product licensing generated by these individuals. However, sometimes … [Read more...] about TLL’s Guide to Celebrity-based Properties
Looking Back: Brands Trending in 2016
As the top social media sites release their most popular 2016 posts, tweets, pins, etc., TLL breaks down the top trending brands this last year. Interestingly, the most trending topics don't necessarily perform well in licensing—see One Direction, which has virtually fallen off retail shelves—but there are some exceptions, such as Star Wars. The most popular YouTube video was … [Read more...] about Looking Back: Brands Trending in 2016