The Licensing Letter

Video Games and Software

Content Watch: New Series & Activations

Differential Brands Group will acquire the majority of Hong Kong-based Global Brands Group Holding Ltd.’s North American licensing business for $1.38 billion in an all-cash deal expected to close Q3 2018. The acquisition is expected to boost Differential Brands’ annual revenues up to more than $2.3 billion. The assets at stake comprise all of GBG's North American children’s … [Read more...] about Content Watch: New Series & Activations

Mobile & More Content Licensing

Universal partners with mobile-game developer Ludia for AR mobile game app, Jurassic World Alive. Players collect, discover, and create a variety of dinosaurs while exploring their own neighborhoods and cities around the world. Starting June 6 through July 31, select Walmart and AMC locations will allow players to collect branded supply drops and resources. Hasbro parters with … [Read more...] about Mobile & More Content Licensing

Royal Weddings: Marvel/Epic & Nestle/Starbucks

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are not the only royals whose union we are celebrating this week. Nestle strikes a $7.5 billion cash deal with Starbucks for the exclusive right to sell the chain's packaged coffees and teas around the world—not including future revenues from product sales and royalties. Starbuck's current packaged business is worth approximately $2 billion; the … [Read more...] about Royal Weddings: Marvel/Epic & Nestle/Starbucks

Experiential, New Media & Partnerships

Asmodee Group launches a new division devoted to developing content based on its owned IP, primarily through strategic partnerships and licensing. Asmodee Entertainment will be the launching ground for new films, TV series, and comics and graphic novels. Already in development is a film based on the board game Catan, which is being adapted by Sony Pictures. DC Entertainment … [Read more...] about Experiential, New Media & Partnerships

NYTF18: Blind Bags, Glitter & Poop

This last week saw the latest iteration of New York Toy Fair and offered a clear formula for success in toy aisles this coming year—if a toy or game includes one or more of the following fads, it might sell: (1) low-price collectible with blind packaging, (2) "cute" sparkles and magic, or (3) "gross" material like poop, slime, and dirt. Retail sales of licensed toys and games … [Read more...] about NYTF18: Blind Bags, Glitter & Poop

The Horror: 44% of Upcoming Licensable Video Games Sequels

Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com We've updated our list of upcoming video games with licensing potential, and it counts 80 titles launching from 2018 and beyond. See the complete list here. Retail sales of licensed merchandise based on video game/interactive/online-based brands reached $607 million in 2016, up 3.5% from the previous year for the … [Read more...] about The Horror: 44% of Upcoming Licensable Video Games Sequels

46 Properties Make the $100+ Million Ent/Char List in 2016

Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com A grand total of 46 properties made the $100 million entertainment/character list for 2016 retail sales, with five new faces joining the pack. See the complete list here. All in all, the top properties generated $43 billion in retail sales of licensed merchandise worldwide. Globally, that marks a $2 billion increase compared to … [Read more...] about 46 Properties Make the $100+ Million Ent/Char List in 2016

M&A & Other Business

Ravensburger acquires ThinkFun, a U.S. developer of logic and STEM-based games. ThinkFun will continue to operate independently as a subsidiary of Ravensburger North America. Co-founder Bill Ritchie remains as CCO, as well as all directors and staff. Universal is in talks to sell its stake in Oriental DreamWorks, the China-based joint venture animation company, according to … [Read more...] about M&A & Other Business