A German actor whose photograph of a naked man pursuing a wild boar went viral has said she might take legal action against a company that duplicated the scene for model railway enthusiasts. While hilarious, the incident raises questions about when and how companies can use images without copyright permission or a licensing agreement. Adele Landauer, an actor and charisma … [Read more...] about Legal Action Threatened Over Pic of Naked Man Chasing Pig
News & Trends
Isabel Graham To Head LEGO Marketing in the UK
Long-time LEGO executive Isabel Graham is moving across the pond, as the new head of marketing for LEGO UK & Ireland. Graham has held a number of key positions with The LEGO Group over the past decade. Among other things, she has worked with The LEGO Agency, LEGO's Product Group Marketing, and was a core member of The Americas Brand Marketing Team. Until this week Graham … [Read more...] about Isabel Graham To Head LEGO Marketing in the UK
AC/DC Launches Beer, Sex Pistols In Licensing Battle
There's Anarchy in the UK, as The Sex Pistols' guitarist Steve Jones and drummer Paul Cook are suing former band frontman John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten) over the use of their songs in the upcoming Danny Boyle biography series Pistol. The series, slated for streaming broadcast on Disney+, is based on Jones' 2016 memoir Lonely Boy, but Lydon says the book and the series paint him … [Read more...] about AC/DC Launches Beer, Sex Pistols In Licensing Battle
Not So Nice: Baron Cohen Sues Pot Shop
Actor and comedian Sacha Baron Cohen has filed suit against a Massachusetts cannabis shop for using an image of his character Borat on a billboard (pictured here) without his permission. According to documents filed in U.S. District Court in Boston, Baron Cohen alleges the billboard for Somerset-based Solar Therapeutics Inc. showed him posing as Borat with two thumbs up and … [Read more...] about Not So Nice: Baron Cohen Sues Pot Shop
Kim Boyd Tapped To Lead Hasbro’s Brands & Consumer Innovation Team
Veteran Hasbro executive Kim Boyd has been chosen to lead the company's new Global Brands & Consumer Innovation division. The formation of the GBCI division is a major strategic goal for Hasbro this year, and the company has opted to go for a leader with in-house knowledge and a track record of success with a variety of Hasbro products. Hasbro says, effective … [Read more...] about Kim Boyd Tapped To Lead Hasbro’s Brands & Consumer Innovation Team
Sales Vet Julie Taylor Joins MGA In The UK
Former Golden Bear Toys exec Julie Taylor has joined the team at MGA Entertainment as sales director for the UK and Ireland. Taylor spent 15 successful years building sales at Golden Bear before being appointed to her new position with MGA, where she will begin work this autumn. “I’m very pleased Julie is joining the team at MGA," said Neil Bandtock, managing director of MGA UK … [Read more...] about Sales Vet Julie Taylor Joins MGA In The UK
ARTiSTORY Grows UK Licensing Team
The art and culture licensing firm ARTiSTORY has appointed museum licensing expert Liz Bowers as the Head of Business Development in the UK. Co-founder and licensing director Natasha Dyson says Bowers brings a wealth of experience in building commercial growth for the cultural heritage sector. “I’m very happy to welcome Liz to the team," Dyson added. "From the outset I was … [Read more...] about ARTiSTORY Grows UK Licensing Team
Authentic Brands Group Files For $10 Billion IPO
Authentic Brands Group has filed for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) that values the global licensing giant at $10 billion. ABG owns several fashion and sports brands around the world, and has now filed papers stating its intention to sell $100 million worth of stock at a valuation of roughly $10 billion. However, the number of shares to be offered is likely just a benchmark, … [Read more...] about Authentic Brands Group Files For $10 Billion IPO
Asmodee Appoints New Licensing Manager
Asmodee Entertainment is building on the success of its licensing efforts last year by appointing Etienne Bonnin as the company's new senior manager of media development and licensing. Bonnin comes to the position after spending 15 years at Glénat Editions SA, the largest independent book publisher in France, where he was the Rights and Licensing Director. In that position, … [Read more...] about Asmodee Appoints New Licensing Manager
Genius Brands Appoints Kerry Phelan To Key Role
Genius Brands International, Inc., a global brand management company that creates and licenses multimedia entertainment content for children, has announced the appointment of Kerry Phelan, a 30-year consumer branding executive, to the newly created position of Executive Vice President & General Manager of Global Franchise Management. Phelan will report to both Andy Heyward, … [Read more...] about Genius Brands Appoints Kerry Phelan To Key Role