Print-on-Demand Collection for Kids and Young Adults will List in Time for the Holiday Season The award-winning animation studio ZAG has signed a global licensing agreement with Spread Group for print-on-demand apparel and accessories. Under this new agreement, Spread Group will provide a collection for the global hit animated series Miraculous - Tales of Ladybug & Cat … [Read more...] about Spread Group Wins Global Apparel Deal With ZAG
News & Trends
The Licensing Letter and SPLiCE To Unveil First Licensing Sustainability Award
The first ever Licensing Sustainability Award (LSA) from SPLiCE and The Licensing Letter will be revealed on Dec. 1 at the SPLiCE Licensors Summit. The Society of Product Licensors Committed to Excellence (SPLiCE) and The Licensing Letter announced the new award program in September. Under the LSA program, TLL and SPLiCE present an award quarterly to a company for its … [Read more...] about The Licensing Letter and SPLiCE To Unveil First Licensing Sustainability Award
Mergers & Acquisitions: Major Investors Acquire Stake in Authentic Brands Group
There's big news for one of the giants in the global licensing industry, as two major investment funds have purchased a significant stake in Authentic Brands Group. ABG says the deal with CVC Capital Partners (CVC) and HPS Investment Partners (HPS) will provide the company with more support as it continues its rapid growth. The two funds have signed definitive agreements to … [Read more...] about Mergers & Acquisitions: Major Investors Acquire Stake in Authentic Brands Group
Sustainability in Licensing: Funko Adopts Product Recycling Program
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Plastic waste is a massive problem for the licensing and manufacturing industries, but increasingly companies are adopting sustainable practices, including improvements to recycling programs. Now the pop culture consumer products company Funko has announced it is the newest partner with How2Recycle. How2Recycle is a standardized labeling … [Read more...] about Sustainability in Licensing: Funko Adopts Product Recycling Program
Licensing Law: ZAG To Give IP Pirates The Heave Ho
ZAG Creates Internal Anti-Piracy Department With Two New Hires The independent animation studio ZAG is establishing an anti-piracy department to protect the company’s intellectual property rights for its brands, content, and products in the global marketplace and to manage counterfeit enforcement. The immediate focus is for the company’s hit flagship brand, Miraculous™, Tales … [Read more...] about Licensing Law: ZAG To Give IP Pirates The Heave Ho
Game Over! China Suspends New Licenses For Video Games
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief China has upped the ante in its onslaught against video gaming, reportedly suspending the licensing of new video games. The move follows other recent policy changes in China, as the government has drastically limited the amount of time children can spend gaming, and app stores in the country have begun to deplatform unauthorized … [Read more...] about Game Over! China Suspends New Licenses For Video Games
Licensing Jobs: ZAG Appoints Maria Doolan As VP of TV Content
As award-winning global independent animation studio ZAG continues to build its executive leadership team, the Company has appointed former Zinkia executive Maria Doolan, who drove the global growth for the hit Pocoyo brand, to the newly created position of VP, TV Content. She reports to Jeremy Zag, Founder & CEO, and Julian Zag, EVP, Global Operations and Head of Global … [Read more...] about Licensing Jobs: ZAG Appoints Maria Doolan As VP of TV Content
Mergers and Acquisitions: Moonbug Acquired By Unnamed Media Company
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Huge news for the children's animation studio Moonbug Entertainment, as the company has been acquired by a media venture run by former Disney execs Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs. The valuation of the deal was not revealed by the media group, but people familiar with the negotiations have said it was worth between $2.75 billion to $3 billion when … [Read more...] about Mergers and Acquisitions: Moonbug Acquired By Unnamed Media Company
Not So Fast: DOJ Sues To Block Acquisition of Simon & Schuster
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The US Dept. of Justice has filed suit to block the $2.2 billion acquisition of publishing giant Simon & Schuster by Bertelsmann, the parent company of its larger rival Penguin Random House. DOJ lawyers allege the takeover of the ViacomCBS subsidiary “would result in substantial harm to authors,” reducing competition, and creating a single … [Read more...] about Not So Fast: DOJ Sues To Block Acquisition of Simon & Schuster
Licensing Jobs: Software Firm Flowhaven Announces Four Key Hires
Flowhaven Makes Key Hires, Recruiting From Amazon, Atlassian, Espagon, and Zalando. Flowhaven, a leading Licensing Relationship Management platform (LRM), has strengthened its global leadership team with four strategic hires as the company continues its growth trajectory. Adam Rubin has joined the company as Vice President of Revenue, Tomi Heinonen as Vice President … [Read more...] about Licensing Jobs: Software Firm Flowhaven Announces Four Key Hires