Sector value, U.S. & Canada, 2017: $4.64 billion Books: $0.48 billion Newspapers/Magazines: $2.87 billion Comic Books/Strips: $1.28 billion Proportion of retail sales of licensed merchandise, U.S. & Canada, 2017: 4.3% Books: 0.4% Newspapers/Magazines: 2.6% Comic Books/Strips: 1.2% Average royalty, U.S. & Canada, 2018: 8.49% Books: 7.95% … [Read more...] about Royalty Profile for Print Publishing-based Licensed Merchandise
Publishing
Experiential, New Media & Partnerships
Asmodee Group launches a new division devoted to developing content based on its owned IP, primarily through strategic partnerships and licensing. Asmodee Entertainment will be the launching ground for new films, TV series, and comics and graphic novels. Already in development is a film based on the board game Catan, which is being adapted by Sony Pictures. DC Entertainment … [Read more...] about Experiential, New Media & Partnerships
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
Publishing Driven by Kids; General Market Softens
Retail sales of licensed publishing—including books, comics, and magazines—reached over $3.7 million in the U.S./Canada for 2016. Meanwhile, the general sector has relatively soft performance that continued into 2017. Unit sales of print books were up 1.9% in the U.S. in 2017, continuing the modest single-digit growth book sales have seen over the past few years, according to … [Read more...] about Publishing Driven by Kids; General Market Softens
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
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
Experiential & Social Activations
Hasbro and Cityneon bring interactive exhibition Transformers Autobot Alliance to China in December 2017. The launch follows years of R&D—the walk-through exhibit is the first of its kind to showcase the larger-than-life robots, as well as special effects, reflex tests, virtual reality, motion sensing, and other features surrounding the Transformers brand. It will debut in … [Read more...] about Experiential & Social Activations
M&A & Other Business
Ravensburger acquires ThinkFun, a U.S. developer of logic and STEM-based games. ThinkFun will continue to operate independently as a subsidiary of Ravensburger North America. Co-founder Bill Ritchie remains as CCO, as well as all directors and staff. Universal is in talks to sell its stake in Oriental DreamWorks, the China-based joint venture animation company, according to … [Read more...] about M&A & Other Business
Preschool Properties With Some Licensing Activity
The preschool market is one of the most stable we track, compared to other property types and product categories. In 2016, licensed retail sales of preschool brand-based, preschool-oriented merchandise grew 6.7% to reach almost $12.8 billion. You've seen the top 20 list—now TLL is releasing a selection previously available only to paid subscribers. See below for an accounting … [Read more...] about Preschool Properties With Some Licensing Activity
Top Trends for the $27-30 Billion Back-to-school Season
Here's what to expect from this year's back-to-school season. Rosy estimates place retail sales at their highest levels yet. This year's K-12 back-to-school season is expected to generate $27 billion in retail sales in the U.S., according to Deloitte. The season alone is estimated to generate 50% of all school-related spending for the year by 29 million households. Estimates … [Read more...] about Top Trends for the $27-30 Billion Back-to-school Season