By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief US shoemaker Nike has done it again, claiming the title of the world’s most valuable apparel brand for the seventh year in a row, but the bad news is that virtually all apparel brands faced a major decline in sales and revenue. That’s according to the annual Brand Finance Apparel 50 report for 2021, which looks at the industry over the past year. And what a year it was. According to Brand Finance’s data, the total value of the top 50 most valuable brands crashed by an almost unheard of eight per cent in a single year, thanks to the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, decreasing from US$ 301.9 billion in 2020 to US$276.4 billion by Jan. 1, 2021. Also, while Nike still took the crown for… . . . read more
ZAG’s Miraculous Signs With Disney and New Product Partners
March 29, 2021
The hit series Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir has been signed on for seasons four and five, and high ratings are now driving several new licensing deals. Julian Zag, Executive Vice President, Global Operations, says the company has signed several “top tier” partners over the past month for a wide range of consumer products and services. Newly signed consumer products partners include Crayola for branded color/activity books; Fast Forward for kids backpacks and lunch totes; Kid Designs for youth electronics including headphones and microphones; Komar Kids for sleepwear; Peachtree Playthings for crafts and activities; Galerie for seasonal and everyday chocolate and candy; Inkology for innovative stationary and activity products; Trends International for posters and stickers; and Card.com for branded debit and credit cards. Additional partners for online retail… . . . read more
New Brands From ‘Jeweler To The Stars’ Martin Katz
March 24, 2021
Even if you don’t know the name Martin Katz, it’s almost certain you’ve seen his work, as the designer has for more than 25 years bejeweled A-List celebrities on the Hollywood red carpet, including Sharon Stone, Angelina Jolie, Sandra Bullock, Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Gigi Hadid and Nicole Kidman. The famous jeweler and philanthropist Martin Katz has redefined luxury lifestyle in Beverly Hills for more than three decades, garnering millions of impressions daily and adorning thousands of celebrities and notable figures worldwide with his limited-edition, couture jewelry. Now, Katz has announced a major expansion of his business with a new lifestyle brand, appointing Prominent Brand + Talent as his exclusive global brand representative. Since 1988, Katz has created international experiences that extend from the world’s finest locales to its most famous fingertips… . . . read more
Breitling Creates New Collector Watch With RAF
March 5, 2021
The acclaimed Swiss luxury watchmaker Breitling, best known as the world’s leading supplier of aviation watches, has just released a watch inspired by the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, better known as the Red Arrows. Breitling is also a sponsor of the Red Arrows team. The timepiece released this week in partnership with the Royal Air Force exclusively features the distinctive emblems of its celebrated aerobatic team and is produced in a limited series of 160 pieces, in tribute to each Red Arrows display pilot to have flown and served in the team since its inaugural 1965 season. Breitling has a long and storied association with aviation, combined with its world-first innovations in the functionality of the wrist chronograph, which have led to its reputation as the preferred supplier to… . . . read more
Tetris Waffle Maker Shows You Should Play With Your Food
February 26, 2021
Lisle Licensing takes the Tetris brand forward in 2021 The video game property Tetris and their UK-based licensing agent Lisle Licensing have launched a slate of new deals, including one for a hilarious new Tetris waffle maker from Fizz Creations. Apparently, someone with a love of trapezoids realized waffles are just a lot of tasty Tetris shapes packed together, and decided to produce a waffle maker that punches out the individual shapes. No more can you mother tell you to stop playing with your food. “We’re all about fun and novelty at Fizz Creations, so are excited to partner with Tetris to launch the waffle maker,” said Zoe Ryan, Marketing Manager at Fizz Creations. ” added Tetrimino shaped waffles … what’s not to love!” Lisle Licensing says they’ve kicked off… . . . read more
WildBrain Lands European Deals For The Boys, Outlander and Cobra Kai
February 12, 2021
WildBrain CPLG has secured a wave of cross-category licensees in Europe for a trio of Sony Pictures hit TV series; The Boys, Cobra Kai and Outlander. The Boys is a superhero series with a twist, in which the ‘supers’ are more villainous than heroic. Wildbrain has secured licensing deals in the UK for the popular Amazon show with the following parties: Forbidden Planet, for a t-shirt and gifting line; The Hut Group, for apparel and accessories; Fashion UK, for an apparel and accessories range; and Pyramid International for posters and accessories. From Germany, Spreadshirt is on board for print-on-demand apparel, and EMP.com for an apparel range available across Europe. Additionally, Cotton Division is developing apparel for the French market; and in Spain, Stor SL is creating homewares and Grupo Erik has signed… . . . read more
New Launches From Jewel For Black History Month
February 5, 2021
Jewel Branding & Licensing (JBL) is celebrating Black History Month by launching several new projects and highlighting some of their most talented designers, illustrators, influencers and TV personalities. The company says it’s “proud to highlight the designers and artists of color in their portfolio, including illustrators and influencers Kendra Dandy of Bouffants & Broken Hearts, and Jessi Raulet of EttaVee, as well as celebrity interior designer and TV personality, Nikki Chu.” For their limited edition artist series, Athleta (part of Gap Inc.) joined forces with artist and designer Kendra Dandy on a fun collection of masks and t-shirts. Dandy’s art is featured on the home page of Walmart.com in celebration of Black History Month. American Greetings has also partnered with Kendra to launch an endcap collection of greeting cards slated for release at… . . . read more
Poetic Brands Partners With Moonbug On ‘My Magic Pet Morphle’
February 3, 2021
As part of the expansion of its newly developed Baby, Children’s Wear and Accessories division, Poetic Brands has been signed by Moonbug Entertainment to create a range of children’s apparel based on the beloved brand My Magic Pet Morphle. The deal, brokered by The Point.1888, which manages the rights for Moonbug Entertainment’s properties in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), will see the apparel specialist creating a collection of accessories, children’s apparel, outerwear and swimwear. Morphle is Mila’s magic red pet, who can morph into anything; a sweet puppy, a giant truck, a cool dinosaur or anything that Mila’s playful mind can imagine. With over 250 episodes in its library and content in 12 languages, the show teaches preschoolers the themes of friendship, problem solving… . . . read more
EMPIK Launches Frida Kahlo Collection with Art Ask Agency
January 31, 2021
The iconic Mexican painter Frida Kahlo’s works will be featured in a new collection of licensed products in collaboration with the Polish cultural retailer EMPIK, in a deal reached with Barcelona-based Art Ask Agency. Art Ask says the Frida Kahlo licensing program continues to grow substantially, “despite these challenging times, and is pleased to announce its latest Frida Kahlo collection launch of licensed product in collaboration with Polish cultural retailer, EMPIK.” Empik is one of the most recognizable and popular Polish brands, a socially responsible company that organizes different events each year such as meetings with authors and workshops. Established in 1948, and today at the forefront in the field of innovative, omnichannel solutions, EMPIK has a network of over 260 stores in the EU, and is one of the largest… . . . read more
Patricia Nash Designs Appoints Evolution As Licensing Agency
January 22, 2021
Patricia Nash Designs, a designer brand of leather handbags, jewelry, and accessories, has appointed Evolution USA as the licensing and brand management agency for relevant category extensions. Evolution is being tasked with developing and managing a full-scale licensing program including identifying retail and licensee partnerships with initial focus on the North American market. The Patricia Nash brand, inspired by travel, memories, vintage craftsmanship and a sense of family will focus on natural category extensions that preserve the integrity and quality of the brand. Newly licensed categories will include a broad assortment of indoor and outdoor home furnishings and housewares, tabletop and drinkware, women’s dresses and resort wear, women’s swimsuits and cover-ups, sleepwear and slippers, and an extended line of accessories including watches, sunglasses, gifts and candles, stationery and paper goods… . . . read more