Licensing Deal Will See EA SPORTS PGA TOUR As The Exclusive Home of All Four Majors — the Masters Tournament, PGA Championship, U.S. Open Championship and The Open Championship EA Sports has unveiled EA SPORTS PGA TOUR: Road to the Masters as the exclusive video game home of the historic Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, one of the most prestigious golf events in the world, with some of the most recognizable traditions in sports. The Masters made its first-ever virtual appearance with EA SPORTS in 2011, and its return to video games has been highly requested by golf fans. Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, unveiled the new cover of EA SPORTS PGA TOUR today during his annual press conference before the… . . . read more
Twin Studies Predict Strong Recovery For Licensing and Retail
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Two key reports released over the past two weeks illustrate the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the licensing and retail industries … but they also paint an encouraging picture for the economic recovery of both sectors as vaccination programs roll out in America and around the world. License Global released its report—COVID-19: What Happens Next—on the impact of COVID-19 on the licensing industry, with survey respondents showing the industry as a whole suffered declining revenues and layoffs. The good news, says the License Global report, “Industry professionals on average expect business to stabilize and return to broadly pre-COVID-19 levels by December 2021. Most notably, 45 percent of respondents anticipate a rise in annual revenue, while 28 percent anticipate an increase in headcount and… . . . read more
Wildbrain Launches Deal For ‘Assassin’s Creed’ Parkour Courses In Saudi Arabia
A deal brokered by WildBrain CPLG on behalf of Ubisoft will allow Assassin’s Creed fans to release their inner Ninja with a blockbuster experiential attraction in Saudi Arabia. Wildbrain, a leading entertainment, sport and brand licensing agency, has secured a deal with Osool Entertainment to develop location-based entertainment (LBE) attractions for the blockbuster video game franchise, Assassin’s Creed. The agreement will see Osool Entertainment create three brand new Assassin’s Creed indoor attractions in Saudi Arabia, targeting fans aged 8-40 years. Scheduled to open in Spring 2021, the Assassin’s Creed attractions will be situated within Osool Entertainment’s indoor Fizz Adventure parks and consist of a branded parkour course including a rope and ninja course. The immersive experience will bring to life themes and elements from the video game franchise’s first installment, giving guests… . . . read more
Eatwith in Tasty Collaboration With MASTERCHEF
Pretty much every MasterChef fan in the world has likely wished they could learn to cook like the champion cooks they see on TV. And now, thanks to a delicious partnership between MASTERCHEF and Eatwith, they can. Eatwith is the world’s largest community for authentic culinary experiences with locals. The company has now partnered with Endemol Shine North America, a Banijay company which produces the hit culinary competition series MASTERCHEF. This week the two culinary powerhouses announced they are extending their partnership with all-new, live, online cooking classes hosted by MASTERCHEF contestants from past seasons. Adding to the 400+ dining experiences booked to date, the new Eatwith MASTERCHEF virtual format will give fans and home cooks alike a unique opportunity to invite their favorite MASTERCHEF contestants into their kitchens for… . . . read more
M&A & Partnerships
This week in mergers, aquisitions, and partnerships:
Crunchyroll is now the majority investor in VIZ Media Europe Group, consolidating its hold over the European anime market, and Dr. Seuss Enterprises launches a new 5-year touring show with Kilburn…
Experiential Roundup: Garfield, Scooby-Doo, YooHoo & More
Notable initiatives around the world from Mattel/IndyCar, Warner Bros./Monlove, Nickelodeon/Red Cross, Sesame Workshop/Suburbia, Fanatics/NFL, and more…
Experiential & Partnerships Roundup: Worldwide
Muji launches another hotel, while Peter Rabbit hops into a kid-friendly lodging; Bulu crafts subscription crafts for Crayola; Live Nation launches a Kidz Bop Workshop, and more…
Experiential, Social & Retail: Updates
Retailers DSW and Nine West have a new name, FAO and LEGO expand in China, Instagram introduces in-app checkout, Funko now has a baseball stadium, Discovery comes to McDonald’s, and more…
M&A & CSR
We wrap up some of the biggest moves to impact business in 2019 and highlight those who are particularly good and doing good—Apple, IOC, Alibaba, Sesame Workshop, ABG, eOne, NASCAR, and more…
Experiential & Promotional Roundup
The latest in-store events and promotions from Williams Sonoma to Chick-fil-A, ecommerce and esports, Hasbro grows its entertainment centers and hotels, and more…