Toy giant Mattel is joining forces with star musician and songwriter Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges on a new animated series called Karma's World, to air on Netflix later this year. The agreement creates a joint venture between Mattel, 9 Story Media Group Inc., and Karma's World Entertainment for a multi-year global licensing deal tied to Karma’s World, the series created by … [Read more...] about Mattel Signs a ‘Ludacris’ Deal
Music
Keen Shoes and Jerry Garcia Take On Climate Change, In Style
Shoemaker KEEN and the Jerry Garcia Family have expanded the company's branded collection of sandals and sneakers, featuring Jerry Garcia's artwork, in a campaign to save the Tongass temperate rainforest. The Tongass is considered the largest remaining temperate rain forest in the world, and KEEN is now auctioning off the #420 individually numbered collector’s limited-edition … [Read more...] about Keen Shoes and Jerry Garcia Take On Climate Change, In Style
Merlin Announces New Music Licensing Pact With JOOX
The indie music licensing company Merlin has just announced a new partnership, this time with the makers of the music app JOOX, owned by Chinese parent company TenCent. JOOX is a new strategic partner that gives Merlin members access to new audiences in Asia, including Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand, as well as South Africa. The agreement … [Read more...] about Merlin Announces New Music Licensing Pact With JOOX
Paul Simon Latest To Sell Music Catalog
Legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon has become the latest star musician to cash in on his lifetime body of work, selling his entire music catalog to Sony Music Publishing for an undisclosed amount. “I’m pleased to have Sony Music Publishing be the custodian of my songs for the coming decades," said Simon after the deal was announced. "I began my career at Columbia/Sony … [Read more...] about Paul Simon Latest To Sell Music Catalog
Songwriters Demand Musicians Stop Taking Credit For Their Work
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief A group of the world's top songwriters are launching a rebellion of sorts against "a growing number of (recording) artists" who they say are taking credit—and royalties—for songs they had no hand in writing. Called The Pact, the group includes writers who have penned massive hits for Dua Lipa, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, One … [Read more...] about Songwriters Demand Musicians Stop Taking Credit For Their Work
Maurizio Distefano Licensing Inks Four Key Deals Through Global Merchandising Services
The Italian licensing firm Maurizio Distefano Licensing (MDL) has begun its partnership with Global Merchandising Services with a slate impressive deals, including several iconic musical artists and the brand of British celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. Thanks to its agreement with Global Merchandising Services, a leader in creating unique and innovative international merchandise … [Read more...] about Maurizio Distefano Licensing Inks Four Key Deals Through Global Merchandising Services
Bob Marley Family Inks Deal With Psychedelic Mushroom Company
The family of reggae legend Bob Marley has signed a multi-year licensing agreement with Silo Wellness, a company operating in the newly developing psychedelic and functional medical mushroom industry. The deal offers Silo the exclusive worldwide rights to brand, market, and sell a product line of functional and psychedelic mushrooms with the name and likeness of the reggae … [Read more...] about Bob Marley Family Inks Deal With Psychedelic Mushroom Company
K-Pop Back on Spotify After Deal With Kakao
Music streaming leader Spotify says it has reached an agreement with Kakao Entertainment (previously known as KakaoM), making their content available on the platform across the globe, including for the first time in South Korea. As reported in The Licensing Letter, Kakao and Spotify were in a bitter dispute over music rights that saw hundreds of popular K-pop songs removed from … [Read more...] about K-Pop Back on Spotify After Deal With Kakao
Cardi B Releases Doll, Then Deactivates Her Twitter Account
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The famous and sometimes infamous rapper Cardi B has released her own limited edition fashion doll, and within three minutes the doll had sold out, and Cardi B deactivated her Twitter account after a spat with fans. The release of the Cardi B doll was timed to coincide with Women's History Month, and was put out through the newly formed … [Read more...] about Cardi B Releases Doll, Then Deactivates Her Twitter Account
Spotify Removes K-Pop Songs in Licensing Debacle
If you're a big K-pop fan with a Spotify account, you're probably not too happy today. Thanks to a breakdown in licensing talks, songs from some of the world's biggest K-pop stars have vanished from Spotify's music library after talks between the streamer and Korean distributor Kakao M hit a brick wall. Some of the acts affected include many of Korea's most popular acts, … [Read more...] about Spotify Removes K-Pop Songs in Licensing Debacle