By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief In a first for the world's happiest brand, The Smiley Company is entering the interactive gaming sector through a partnership with The Sandbox, the metaverse platform operated by Animoca Brands subsidiary. The collaboration introduces Smiley Factory, a business simulation game now available within The Sandbox platform as part of its … [Read more...] about Smiley Company Plays in The Sandbox Metaverse for the First Time
Recent Headlines
F1 Authentics Launches Limited Mystery Box Collection with Simulator Grand Prize
TLL Staff F1 Authentics has released a limited-edition Mystery Box collection targeting motorsport collectors, with one box containing a professional-grade racing simulator valued at £89,000. The collection is strictly limited to 150 boxes worldwide, each containing racing memorabilia with a minimum total value of £2,500, according to the company. Every box includes a curated … [Read more...] about F1 Authentics Launches Limited Mystery Box Collection with Simulator Grand Prize
Disney Celebrates 100 Years of Winnie the Pooh
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Disney is marking the centennial anniversary of Winnie the Pooh with a year-long celebration honoring the character's cultural legacy. Winnie the Pooh and his friends in the 100 Acre Wood first appeared in the 1926 publication of A.A. Milne's original book. The commemoration will feature new product collaborations, storytelling content, and … [Read more...] about Disney Celebrates 100 Years of Winnie the Pooh
News Corp’s Deal With Meta AI: “We’re Essentially An Input Company”
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief It may be a sign of my own antiquity, but when I first joined the ranks of journalists in 1983, news publishers were among the richest people and companies in the world. Flash forward to 2026, as humanity busily creates a (hopefully) benign version of the Terminator villain Sky Net, news organizations are in decline, and mainly act as … [Read more...] about News Corp’s Deal With Meta AI: “We’re Essentially An Input Company”
Jo Malone Sued by Estée Lauder for Using Own Name on New Scent
Caption: Jo Malone in a 2018 marketing photo (at right) when she and partner Zara unveiled her "First Eponymous Fragrance: Jo by Jo Loves." (PRNewsfoto/Jo Loves) By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Fashion giant Estée Lauder is taking legal action against the British perfumer Jo Malone after she used her name on a fragrance for the fashion chain Zara. It's a definite quirk … [Read more...] about Jo Malone Sued by Estée Lauder for Using Own Name on New Scent
Reebok Puts Best Foot Forward by Signing Top Football Stars This Week
By TLL Staff Partnerships with Trevoh Chalobah and Dusan Vlahovic signal the brand's push to reclaim a foothold in elite global football ahead of a summer 2026 boot launch. Reebok has signed professional footballers Dusan Vlahovic (pictured above) and Trevoh Chalobah to separate endorsement partnerships, the brand announced, as it prepares to re-enter the performance football … [Read more...] about Reebok Puts Best Foot Forward by Signing Top Football Stars This Week
Licensing Expo Launches New, AI-Powered Meeting Platform
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief When attendees plan their meetings at Licensing Expo this year, they'll have a powerful AI assistant helping them out. Informa Markets, the organizer of the world's leading licensing trade show, has added artificial intelligence capability to its Event Planner platform for Licensing Expo 2026. If you're signed up for Expo this year, … [Read more...] about Licensing Expo Launches New, AI-Powered Meeting Platform
Surge Brands to Represent the Glitz and Glamor of Planet Hollywood
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Surge Brands has been appointed a worldwide licensing agent for top hospitality brand Planet Hollywood. Launched in 1991 by restaurateur Robert Earl, Planet Hollywood was initially a restaurant destination that redefined dining with a blockbuster twist. The flagship location on New York City’s West 57th Street offered guests a … [Read more...] about Surge Brands to Represent the Glitz and Glamor of Planet Hollywood
Bonkers Toys Signs Master Toy Deal for Gorilla Tag VR Game
TLL Staff Bonkers Toys is betting fans will go bonkers as they signed a global master toy agreement for the VR game Gorilla Tag. The virtual reality game is produced by Another Axiom, which says it is the most popular VR game in the world, based on Meta Store data. Gorilla Tag, which launched in 2021, allows players to embody and customize virtual primate avatars and engage … [Read more...] about Bonkers Toys Signs Master Toy Deal for Gorilla Tag VR Game
Spin Master and Hidden Pigeon to Launch Mo Willems Toys and Digital Games
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Spin Master and Hidden Pigeon Company have teamed up to develop a co-branded collection of toys and digital games based on children's book author and illustrator Mo Willems' characters. The companies say the collection will span Spin Master's toy and digital games portfolio, featuring Willems' characters the Pigeon, Elephant & Piggie … [Read more...] about Spin Master and Hidden Pigeon to Launch Mo Willems Toys and Digital Games