By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The 'Play and Entertainment' conglomerate Hasbro has for the first time outlined its future plans in a live investor event, and as expected, the news will be game changing for the company and for its licensing partners worldwide. Sit down and grab yourself a coffee or tea, because it's a LOT. At the core of the announcement, Hasbro has … [Read more...] about Special Report: The Future of Hasbro
Music
YouTube Clones TikTok For March Launch
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then TikTok must be positively blushing right now. The spectacular rise of TikTok as a social media and entertainment phenomenon has inspired Alphabet-owned streamer YouTube to face off directly with the upstart by launching its own version, called Shorts. Shorts is due to arrive in the United States in March, after a successful … [Read more...] about YouTube Clones TikTok For March Launch
Magic Star and MGA Entertainment Collaborate On LOL Surprise Project
Magic Star, the entertainment label for Sony Music UK, has announced a partnership with global toy company MGA Entertainment on a worldwide, exclusive music partnership deal that will support the global top toy brand, LOL Surprise. Under the agreement Magic Star will work with Sony Music Entertainment’s (SME) record labels in more than 40 markets around the world, including … [Read more...] about Magic Star and MGA Entertainment Collaborate On LOL Surprise Project
Post Malone Headlining Pokemon 25th Anniversary Concert
Pokémon is in a licensing frenzy this year as the company celebrates its 25th anniversary, and this week announced it has come to an agreement with Universal Music Group to have Post Malone star in a video and concert. The Pokemon Company International broke the news as musician-slash-Pokemon-fan Malone made the announcement on a YouTube video.Taking place on Feb. 27—better … [Read more...] about Post Malone Headlining Pokemon 25th Anniversary Concert
Rebel Music Streamer Audiomack Clinches Deals With Universal, Sony
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Audiomack, a music streaming service with a difference, has concluded key licensing agreements with Universal Music and Sony Music. The deal follows on its first agreement with one of the Big Three music publishers, when it signed a licensing agreement in 2019 with Warner Music, and then expanded that agreement to additional markets in … [Read more...] about Rebel Music Streamer Audiomack Clinches Deals With Universal, Sony
TikTok And Universal Expand Their Musical Alliance
Universal Music Group (UMG) has entered into a landmark agreement with TikTok that will continue its transformation of the way music is marketed and sold. As earlier reported in The Licensing Letter, TikTok has entered into a number of music licensing agreements with publishers that allow its users to combine popular song tracks with their short videos on the social media … [Read more...] about TikTok And Universal Expand Their Musical Alliance
Lego and Universal Music Group Launch Music Video Maker
In yet another example of how the world of music licensing has evolved over the past two years, LEGO and Universal Music Group (UMG) announced on Jan. 26 the launch of LEGO VIDIYO, "a playful and innovative music video maker experience designed to celebrate and expand children’s creativity and passion for music." The companies say in a joint statement that LEGO VIDIYO is a … [Read more...] about Lego and Universal Music Group Launch Music Video Maker
Universal Licenses Entire Music Catalog For Fitness App
In yet another sign of the momentous changes in the music licensing industry, Universal Music Group has licensed its entire music catalog to the Variis digital fitness app. The deal means app users will be able to work out at home to the music of major recording artists like Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, The Weeknd, and many more. It also marks one of … [Read more...] about Universal Licenses Entire Music Catalog For Fitness App
Ector Hired to Lead Downtown’s Licensing Work
As the acquisitions of music catalogs has soared, Downtown Music Holdings has hired Dewayne Ector as its Chief Revenue Officer, a newly created position, to oversee digital licensing. In his new role, Ector will be responsible for overseeing the successful negotiation and maximization of revenue from digital licenses covering all rights types represented across Downtown’s … [Read more...] about Ector Hired to Lead Downtown’s Licensing Work
Special Report: The Evolution of Music Licensing
By Gary Symons, TLL Editor in Chief The Bob Dylan music deal with Universal Music has shown that for musicians and music companies, the times truly are a’changin’. But, in truth, that change was coming long before Universal stroked a check for a reported $300 million to $400 million, in return for Dylan’s entire music catalog of roughly 600 songs. Also in December Fleetwood … [Read more...] about Special Report: The Evolution of Music Licensing