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
EMPIK Launches Frida Kahlo Collection with Art Ask Agency
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
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
Poetic Brands Gets Artsy With Britain’s National Gallery
In response to a growing interest in art in the licensed fashion sector, specialist apparel licensee Poetic Brands has teamed up with Britain’s National Gallery, which houses one of the greatest collections of paintings in the world, to create a range of adult apparel and accessories based on its impressive and extensive artworks. The collection will incorporate a wide range of products including adult daywear apparel and outerwear, swimwear, flip flops, beach bags and towels, adult nightwear and essentials, and accessories including caps and luggage. The National Gallery in London, England, was founded in 1824 and houses more than 2,600 paintings from the late 13th to the early 20th century in Trafalgar Square. With one of the greatest collections of art in the world, the Gallery displays many world-famous works,… . . . read more
Gucci and The North Face Go Hiking In Style
You don’t usually equate Gucci with camping, but the luxury brand is going outdoors in a big way this year, partnering with adventure wear company The North Face. Consumers have headed to the great outdoors in droves this year, thanks to lockdowns and physical distancing measures, so Gucci figured, if you’re going out hiking, you might as well look fabulous doing it! The luxury brand has teamed up with The North Face on a new collaboration which aims to celebrate the ‘spirit of exploration’, with a collection that launched on Jan. 4. “This special cross-category of collection for men and women comprises ready-to-wear soft accessories, luggage and shoes, as well as some unexpected pieces linked to the outdoor world of The North Face, such as tents and sleeping bags,” says… . . . read more
Deal Summary: Spread Group, Emoji Co., Lucasfilm, League of Legends
Another week, another slate of great deals in our industry, as we lead our coverage today with expansion of an existing agreement with Warner Bros. and Spread Group. Spread Group Expands Warner Bros. Collaboration Beyond Europe Spread Group – formerly known as Spreadshirt – has worked with Warner Bros. in Europe since 2012, developing more than 1,700 designs for the entertainment giant’s many popular brands and characters, and distributing in Germany, France, The Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. The company has notched impressive sales in the Eurozone, and now Warner Bros. is expanding that relationship to allow Spread Group to bring 14 key brands like DC and Harry Potter to new markets in North America, the UK, and Australia. The company expects to release more than 1,000 SKUs for these… . . . read more
Roblox Releasing New Game With YouTube Child Star Ryan Kaji
The Roblox Studio, makers of the world’s largest ‘user-created’ video games, is launching a new property created by the world’s most popular YouTube star, Ryan Kaji. Kaji is the young star of Ryan’s World, formerly known as Ryan ToysReview, who got his start as a young child doing toy unboxing videos with his dad, and expanded the program to include more educational videos on the YouTube platform. Despite his young age, Ryan has been the number one revenue grossing star on YouTube for years. Roblox, as a game, seems almost purpose built for a content producer like Ryan Kaji, and it’s a game the young star loves. “I’ve been playing Roblox since I was three years old, and it’s one of my favorites. I was super excited to create my… . . . read more
Retail Sales of Licensed Handbags, Backpacks, Messenger Bags based on Fashion versus Other Property Types, U.S. & Canada
Licensed 2019 Back-to-School Goods Projected to Dip -1.0% in Sales for U.S. & Canada
Licensed retail sales of back-to-school products are showing signs of dramatic slowdown in the U.S. & Canada as millions of students begin the school year. Last year, licensed back-to-school sales totaled $11.83 billion for K-12 and college students…
Retail Sales of Licensed Wearables Up in Every Territory in 2015
Wearables is a bellwether of the overall licensing business—not just due of its size, but also because it provides an outlet for so many of the industry’s most important property types…