The Licensing Letter

Mergers & Acquisitions

Evergreen Licensing Launches Exciting New Snack: Hostess Popcorn!

The new light and crispy snack is currently available in two great flavors: Hostess Twinkies and Hostess Ding Dongs Evergreen Licensing announced today the company has added the iconic Hostess Twinkies and Hostess Ding Dongs brands, from Hostess Brands Inc. to its lineup in the fast-growing licensed popcorn category. “We are very proud to work with the Hostess Brands … [Read more...] about Evergreen Licensing Launches Exciting New Snack: Hostess Popcorn!

Breaking News: J.M. Smucker Co. to Acquire Hostess Brands

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The J. M. Smucker Co. (NYSE: SJM) announced today the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Hostess Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: TWNK) in a $5.6 billion transaction. The planned acquisition marks a major development in the snack category of the food and beverage industry, as Hostess is among the best known brands in the sector. Smucker … [Read more...] about Breaking News: J.M. Smucker Co. to Acquire Hostess Brands

Mergers & Acquisitions: French Billionaire Buys Majority Stake in Hollywood Agency CAA

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief There's been a seismic shift in the licensing industry, as French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault has completed his acquisition of a majority stake in Creative Artists Agency. Pinault completed the acquisition through his family investment company, Artémis, which now replaces the private equity firm TPG as the majority share … [Read more...] about Mergers & Acquisitions: French Billionaire Buys Majority Stake in Hollywood Agency CAA

Hunter Boots Expands Footprint in China Through Merger Deal

Authentic Brands Group Announces Partnership with Baozun By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The legendary British bootmaker Hunter will sell 51% of its business in China to local firm Baozun Inc. The deal was announced by Authentic Brands Group, which owns the Hunter Boots brand globally. Hunter is a global footware company known for having developed the Original … [Read more...] about Hunter Boots Expands Footprint in China Through Merger Deal

Blue Ant Media and Marblemedia Merge Production Studios and Global Rights Businesses

By Allison WatkinsonTLL ReporterBlue Ant Media has officially closed its acquisition of marblemedia and its international sales operation Distribution360. Blue Ant Media is a privately-held, international media company that owns and operates several branded streaming channels and produces and distributes content across multiple genre categories.The acquisition of marblemedia is … [Read more...] about Blue Ant Media and Marblemedia Merge Production Studios and Global Rights Businesses

Pot Company Tilray Acquires Craft Beer Companies From Anheuser-Busch

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The cannabis company Tilray Brands has agreed to buy out eight beer and beverage brands from Anheuser-Busch, owner of Budweiser. The move is part of an on-again, off-again relationship between the beer company and the pot company, as parent company AB-InBev was formerly an investor and partner with Tilray. AB-InBev is the world's … [Read more...] about Pot Company Tilray Acquires Craft Beer Companies From Anheuser-Busch

Hasbro Sells eOne Division to Lionsgate for $500 Million

Hasbro Also Reports "Solid Second Quarter" By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Toy giant Hasbro has agreed to sell its eOne film and TV division to Canadian film studio Lionsgate for $500 million. The deal includes $375 million in cash, subject to certain price adjustments, as well as Lionsgate assuming all of eOne's production financing loans. The transaction has … [Read more...] about Hasbro Sells eOne Division to Lionsgate for $500 Million

Acquisitions: Wildbrain Buys Out Pre-Production Animator House of Cool

By Allison Watkinson  TLL Reporter The global entertainment company WildBrain has closed its acquisition of the pre-production animation studio, House of Cool. The acquisition is intended to expand and improve Wildbrain's pre-production capabilities for current and future animated series, specials and features. The co-founders of House of Cool, Wes Lui and Ricardo … [Read more...] about Acquisitions: Wildbrain Buys Out Pre-Production Animator House of Cool

Court Denies Injunction on Microsoft Acquisition of Activision

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief A court in California has denied the Federal Trade Commission's request for an injunction on Microsoft's acquisition of Activision. The software giant announced on Jan. 18 this year that the parties had agreed to the terms of a deal. It would see Microsoft acquiring Activision Blizzard for $95 per share, in an all-cash transaction valued at … [Read more...] about Court Denies Injunction on Microsoft Acquisition of Activision

Here’s the Skinny on Wellful’s Acquisition of Jenny Craig

By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Wellful, Inc. has added the nutrition and weight management brand Jenny Craig to its portfolio of health & wellness brands. "The Jenny Craig brand is a wonderful addition to Wellful's collection of proven health and wellness brands" said Wellful CEO, Brandon Adcock. "Over the last 40 years, Jenny Craig has been committed to helping … [Read more...] about Here’s the Skinny on Wellful’s Acquisition of Jenny Craig