Every time we update the Planned Feature Films with Licensing Potential chart, it becomes more obvious—studios are increasingly investing into franchises. And superheroes are some of the best sources to mine—with a diverse and deep reserve of characters and storylines. Make sure you check the list out, as a good chunk of films have been pushed back (even for those with a … [Read more...] about Superpowered Franchises Dominate Film Calendar
Entertainment/Character
As Generations Shift, Preschool Market Follows
Broadly speaking, the demographics of the world are changing—on a global level, parents are having fewer children while their financial prospects are improving. For some countries, that translates into increased spending on largely non-essential items, like licensed toys and premium-priced bottles. For other territories, that means decreased spending on essentials like diapers … [Read more...] about As Generations Shift, Preschool Market Follows
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
Company Spotlight: On Scaling Niche to Mass
Since filing for an IPO last year, Funko has released some of its financial data and offered a few key insights on the fast-growing, ever-volatile market for pop culture collectible merchandise. Here are some of the top takeaways and most interesting tidbits gleaned from a licensee generating around $800 million in licensed retail sales a year. While the company seems to … [Read more...] about Company Spotlight: On Scaling Niche to Mass
Franchises Drive Comics Sales in 2017
According to ICv2 and NPD BookScan, the top-selling comic book titles of 2017 hailed from the '80s—two 30-year-old volumes were the best-selling superhero titles of the year. Marvel’s top new title was Black Panther Book 1 and DC Comics’ top new titles were the collections of the Rebirth launches of Batman and The Flash. Twelve of the top 20 best-selling superhero titles of … [Read more...] about Franchises Drive Comics Sales in 2017
Entertaining Deals & Experiences
Bells are ringing for the latest royal marriage, this time between Nick Jr. and Thomas & Friends. A new agreement between parents Mattel and Nickelodeon will see new seasons of Thomas & Friends premiere on the kid's channel, with specials set to air on the Nickelodeon network throughout the year. Nick will also serve as Mattel's exclusive U.S. agent for Thomas merch … [Read more...] about Entertaining Deals & Experiences
Emerging Content
As we enter into the new year, here are the latest new brands with licensing potential as well as ways to exploit them. Hasbro is planning a new animated TV series for 2019 based on its Micronauts line of collectables. The mini superhero brand will see a live-action movie in 2020 following the TV series, which is aimed at 6–11 year-olds. Hulu teams up with executive producer … [Read more...] about Emerging Content
Can Disney Digest its Newest Acquisition?
Disney acquires a number of key 21st Century Fox assets in a transaction valued at $66.1 billion—the deal is expected to close in 12 to 18 months, provided that it passes antitrust scrutiny. CEO Bob Iger has extended his contract to 2021 (or an extra two years) to help the entertainment giant digest its newest purchase. To be more exact, an incomplete list of the assets … [Read more...] about Can Disney Digest its Newest Acquisition?
46 Properties Make the $100+ Million Ent/Char List in 2016
Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com A grand total of 46 properties made the $100 million entertainment/character list for 2016 retail sales, with five new faces joining the pack. See the complete list here. All in all, the top properties generated $43 billion in retail sales of licensed merchandise worldwide. Globally, that marks a $2 billion increase compared to … [Read more...] about 46 Properties Make the $100+ Million Ent/Char List in 2016
$100 Million Superhero Brands Grow 15% in 2016
Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com While the average $100 million entertainment/character brand grew 8% in U.S./Canada retail sales of licensed merchandise in 2016, superhero brands grew by nearly 15% from the previous year. See the complete list here. The top four superhero brands by retail sales in the U.S./Canada made up almost 11% of the $100 million list's … [Read more...] about $100 Million Superhero Brands Grow 15% in 2016