By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Sustainability seems to have been the theme of this month at The Licensing Letter, as several companies including McDonald's Restaurants, Mattel, and Smiley have all revealed new environmentally friendly initiatives to reduce plastic waste, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Now, Burger King has announced it is working with Animal … [Read more...] about Sustainable Licensing: Animal Planet Roars Into Burger King With Eco-Friendly Toys
News & Trends
Sustainable Licensing: Smiley Gives The Planet Something to Smile About
The brand extension company Smiley says it has adopted an "Earth first" business strategy that puts sustainable practices first and foremost. Called the 2023 Future Positive campaign, Smiley says the company's goal is to become an "active ambassador for change ... by supporting retailers, brands and consumer product industries to develop innovative solutions to transition to a … [Read more...] about Sustainable Licensing: Smiley Gives The Planet Something to Smile About
Asembl Appoints Wendy Garth as Brand and Licensing Director
Appointment Coincides with Asembl Welcoming Fleur Harris to Global Client Portfolio Australia design, lifestyle and FMCG licensed brand extension agency Asembl has announced the appointment of Wendy Garth to the newly created position of Brand & Licensing Director – Design. Garth will drive the development of the agency’s new Fashion and Design division, which launches … [Read more...] about Asembl Appoints Wendy Garth as Brand and Licensing Director
Sustainability In Licensing: Mattel Exceeds Sustainability Goals For Packaging
Mattel continues to make huge strides toward a sustainable business model, saying the company exceeded its 2020 goal to achieve and maintain 95% recycled or FSC-certified content in the paper and wood fiber used in its products and packaging. The play and entertainment company says it managed to source 97% of its content for products and packaging from recycled materials or … [Read more...] about Sustainability In Licensing: Mattel Exceeds Sustainability Goals For Packaging
Licensing Jobs: Lisa Foster To Head ZAG’s North American Licensing
Animation studio ZAG is adding more horsepower to its licensing team, due to the ongoing success of Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir. As part of that growth, ZAG is promoting North American Licensing VP Lisa K. Foster (pictured) to the role of Senior Vice President, Licensing to manage the company’s portfolio of brands under the ZAG Heroez label: an umbrella brand … [Read more...] about Licensing Jobs: Lisa Foster To Head ZAG’s North American Licensing
Netflix Acquires Video Game Developer
The streaming giant Netflix is fueling its push into the video game sector with the acquisition of critically acclaimed developer Night School Studio. The move is part of a much wider strategy by Netflix to diversify its revenues, particularly as the company faces increased competition from several well-funded companies in the streaming space, including Disney, Amazon, Apple, … [Read more...] about Netflix Acquires Video Game Developer
Actor Zach Avery Pleads Guilty To $650 Million Licensing Fraud
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The Hollywood actor Zachary Horwitz—better known by his stage name Zach Avery—faces decades behind bars after admitting his role in a $650 million Ponzi scheme. Horwitz was charged in May this year on allegations he defrauded multiple high worth investors in what has been described by authorities as a phony licensing scheme. This week, as … [Read more...] about Actor Zach Avery Pleads Guilty To $650 Million Licensing Fraud
Canadian Experiment Furthers McDonald’s Sustainability Goals
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief McDonald's is continuing its drive toward environmental sustainability with a new program in Canada that will see two Green Concept Restaurants unveiled in London, Ontario, and Vancouver, British Columbia. The move follows a major initiative reported on by The Licensing Letter on Sept. 22 (see link below) that saw McDonald's announce a … [Read more...] about Canadian Experiment Furthers McDonald’s Sustainability Goals
Sesame Workshop Elevates Samantha Maltin to Executive Vice President
Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit media and educational organization behind Sesame Street, has promoted Samantha Maltin to Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, expanding her responsibilities to include Strategic Communications, Events, and Archives, while she retains her CMO portfolio. Reporting to Workshop President Sherrie Westin, Maltin will continue to … [Read more...] about Sesame Workshop Elevates Samantha Maltin to Executive Vice President
Happier Happy Meals, As McDonald’s Reduces Use of Plastics
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The world's leading fast food chain McDonald's is making sustainable changes to its Happy Meal toys, which will impact licensors. McDonald's pledged Tuesday to "significantly" reduce the use of plastics in its Happy Meal toys worldwide. The move follows a similar program launched only in the United Kingdom after McDonald's faced a wave of … [Read more...] about Happier Happy Meals, As McDonald’s Reduces Use of Plastics