The sale of the Margaritaville Resort Casino in Bossier City might be in jeapordy after a federal court documents revealed an arbitation finding that current owner Bossier Casino Venture (BCV) is contractually obligated to use the Margaritaville brand through the end of its 40-year agreement—or the next 35 years—with licensor Margaritaville. Even if the casino is sold, BCV is … [Read more...] about Legal Updates
Video Games and Software
M&A: Agents Expand While Rovio Divests
DHX Media-owned CPLG (Copyright Promotions Licensing Group) forms a strategic alliance with Latin America’s Tycoon Group. The alliance will strengthen both companies’ regional licensing activities and maximize branding opportunities across a combined network of EMEA, North America, and Latin America. The world’s largest licensing agent, CAA-GBG, expands the design capabilities … [Read more...] about M&A: Agents Expand While Rovio Divests
Deals in Short
As always, see the complete list of deals from this last week here. In Japan, a Betty Boop-branded diner opens in Japan through a deal brokered with Food Business Consultant Inc. (FBC) by licensor King Features’ Japanese agent, Copyrights Asia. The location plans to feature merch and special holiday events in the '50s-esque eatery. WildBrain is appointed as the exclusive … [Read more...] about Deals in Short
Video Games in the Pipeline: 40% Sequels, 30% Licensed, 20% New IP
Over the next two years, releases of video games based on original IP are going to take a backseat to sequels, reboots, and licensed titles. Just 20.6% of titles are based on original IP—sequels comprise 43% of the list, followed by licensed titles at 30%. VR titles follow at 11%, with reboots making up 8% of the list. See the complete update to TLL's list of planned video … [Read more...] about Video Games in the Pipeline: 40% Sequels, 30% Licensed, 20% New IP
Video Game Sales Up; Licensed Options Grow
2016 was a big year for retail sales of video games—but, interestingly enough, licensed games didn't make much headlines (with the one obvious exception). In fact, it was just the opposite: Metacritic's lowest score of the year was for Activision's Ghostbusters. Meanwhile, Pokémon emerged as one of the hottest brands of 2016, topping the list of Google's breakout searches … [Read more...] about Video Game Sales Up; Licensed Options Grow
2016 Only Gets Better for $100+ Entertainment/Character Brands
Karina Masolova, additional reporting by Glenn Demby and Marcy Magiera A total of 44 properties made TLL's latest list of entertainment/character brands that cleared $100 million in licensed retail sales in the U.S. and Canada. For the first time, we're casting our predictions for what next year's look will look like. See the retail sales breakdown here, and look below for … [Read more...] about 2016 Only Gets Better for $100+ Entertainment/Character Brands
44 Entertainment/Character Brands Make the $100 Million List
Karina Masolova, additional reporting by Glenn Demby and Marcy Magiera Forty-four entertainment/character properties make our list of brands that generate over $100 million in retail sales of licensed merchandise in the U.S. and Canada—accounting for a total of $41 billion in sales worldwide in 2015. See the full list here. Three brands cleared $1 billion in the U.S./Canada … [Read more...] about 44 Entertainment/Character Brands Make the $100 Million List
Pumping Up Brands
By Karina Masolova Despite our love for athleisure and all things healthy, a recent study by Nautilus shows that Americans and Europeans fail when it comes to general health and fitness knowledge (scoring an average of 42% and 39%, respectively). But it can't be denied that fitness is a big business, even if it is more aspirational than not. The 2016 update to Inc.'s 5000 list … [Read more...] about Pumping Up Brands
Franchise Films Losing Ground to Publishing Adaptations
By Marcy Magiera Franchise films still consistently top the U.S. box office, but 2016 has seen many sequels and reboots fall flat with audiences, causing many observers to question whether consumers have hit an unanticipated limit when it comes to Hollywood's franchise obsession. It takes time, however, before those concerns are reflected in studio production schedules. Our … [Read more...] about Franchise Films Losing Ground to Publishing Adaptations
Kid’s Tech Goes Back to the Future
By Karina Masolova The future of kid's tech products sees an overhaul in traditional play patterns even as less modern concerns are being addressed. TLL recently attended the Kids' & Family Tech Expo in NYC hosted by Child's Play Communications. From this intimate subset of kid's tech manufacturers emerges a picture of how the industry is addressing the biggest concerns in … [Read more...] about Kid’s Tech Goes Back to the Future