The film Willy’s Wonderland has appointed Radar Licensing of Brooklyn as its global licensing agent as Landmark Studio Group develops a worldwide consumer products retail program for the horror thriller, starring Nicolas Cage with Emily Tosta, Ric Reitz, Chris Warner, and Beth Grant. Landmark says Radar Licensing will create a comprehensive licensing and merchandising program for mass, specialty, and online retailers across a multitude of categories, including apparel, accessories, publishing, electronics, toys, and costumes. The t-shirt worn in Willy’s Wonderland by Cage has been consistently selling out of stock, and Radar Licensing has appointed its first licensee, Changes, as apparel partner to replicate the t-shirt for availability this spring. Landmark and Radar Licensing anticipate additional products for Willy’s Wonderland to begin hitting retail in Q3 2021. “We are thrilled with the fan and… . . . read more
William Shatner Creates AI Version of Himself
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief In a move worthy of Captain James T. Kirk, actor William Shatner celebrated his 90th birthday by being the first person to create an ‘AI’ version of himself, using technology by the LA company StoryFile. In doing so, Shatner is not exactly ‘beaming himself up’, but for future generations the effect is that Shatner has created a version of himself that people can have a conversation with. On his birthday, Shatner and StoryFile announced that he is exploring the new frontier of AI, and that he will be the first of many to use StoryFile Life to create an interactive, conversational AI-powered video to preserve his memory and legacy for generations to come, beyond the limitations of time and space. Under the agreement,… . . . read more
Maurizio Distefano Licensing Inks Four Key Deals Through Global Merchandising Services
The Italian licensing firm Maurizio Distefano Licensing (MDL) has begun its partnership with Global Merchandising Services with a slate impressive deals, including several iconic musical artists and the brand of British celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. Thanks to its agreement with Global Merchandising Services, a leader in creating unique and innovative international merchandise programs, MDL now represents in the Italian market a roster of artists who together have sold in excess of one billion records. They include some of the biggest names in rock, pop and metal: Motörhead, Iron Maiden, Slayer, Backstreet Boys, Little Mix and Louis Tomlinson, to name only a few. MDL says the group of artists—who can boast sold-out tours all over the world and an influence on global fashion trends across a variety of musical genres—will offer MDL… . . . read more
‘Ted Lasso’ To Join FIFA Face-Off Celebrity Gaming Show
Global gaming giant Electronic Arts has jumped the divide between esports and TV sports by developing a new show that will see celebrities going head-to-head in an EA SPORTS FIFA football match, airing live on Twitch and YouTube. The new show will feature A-List celebrities including Jason Sudeikas, who plays the title character of football coach Ted Lasso; his Ted Lasso co-star Brendan Hunt who plays Coach Beard; comedian and host Trevor Noah from the Emmy Award-winning The Daily Show; American Music Award winner Becky G, and Latin Grammy winner Nicky Jam. The online show will be hosted by the popular EA SPORTS FIFA influencer Castro 1021, and will running two episodes airing March 19 and Friday, March 26. “This unique event continues EA’s competitive gaming entertainment innovation, which connects… . . . read more
Bob Marley Family Inks Deal With Psychedelic Mushroom Company
The family of reggae legend Bob Marley has signed a multi-year licensing agreement with Silo Wellness, a company operating in the newly developing psychedelic and functional medical mushroom industry. The deal offers Silo the exclusive worldwide rights to brand, market, and sell a product line of functional and psychedelic mushrooms with the name and likeness of the reggae superstar, who died in 1981. “Our family is happy to collaborate with Silo Wellness to create the first ever global mushroom brand,” said the singer’s widow, Rita Marley. “When Bob and I were young we followed a strict, natural diet and we would include medicinal mushrooms. Mushrooms fit with our vision of a world transformed for good through natural products.” This is not the family’s first foray into licensing deals for products… . . . read more
Cardi B Releases Doll, Then Deactivates Her Twitter Account
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The famous and sometimes infamous rapper Cardi B has released her own limited edition fashion doll, and within three minutes the doll had sold out, and Cardi B deactivated her Twitter account after a spat with fans. The release of the Cardi B doll was timed to coincide with Women’s History Month, and was put out through the newly formed enterprise Real Women Are, “a new diverse and inclusive doll brand.” The good news for Cardi B and Real Women Are is that the 10,000 copies of the limited release doll sold out within minutes. The bad news, that Cardi B quickly came under criticism by fans who complained she should be producing more music, not dolls for kids. As well, some critics have questioned… . . . read more
YouTube Clones TikTok For March Launch
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then TikTok must be positively blushing right now. The spectacular rise of TikTok as a social media and entertainment phenomenon has inspired Alphabet-owned streamer YouTube to face off directly with the upstart by launching its own version, called Shorts. Shorts is due to arrive in the United States in March, after a successful six-month beta test in India, where the service racked up 3.5 billion daily views. However, it’s worth noting that Chinese-owned TikTok is banned in India, due to ongoing tensions between the world’s two most populous countries. It’s unknown how Shorts will fare in a direct duel with TikTok, but we’ll find out next month when the services go head to head for the first time. Information about the new… . . . read more
Hasbro Not Toying Around With Gina Carano
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Talk about a rough week at the office. Toy giant Hasbro says it will no longer produce any toys featuring former Mandalorian star Gina Carano, who plays the part of the popular character Cara Dune. Carano was fired from her role in the hit Disney+ series after posting a series of controversial social media messages, she was dropped by her agents at United Talent Agency, and now licensed toy merchandise is also being discontinued. “The Star Wars Black Cara Dune figure was released in 2020 and sold out not long after the inventory was received,” a spokeswoman for BigBadToyStore told The Hollywood Reporter in a Monday email. “Hasbro planned for another production run and we were accepting preorders from that production run. Due to recent events,… . . . read more
Viral TikTok Star Doggface Gets Truck Upgrade From 4 Wheel Parts
Last fall Idaho man Nathan Apodaca, better known as Doggface, became a viral internet sensation after his car broke down, and he hopped on his longboard to finish his daily commute. Along the way, Doggface filmed himself chugging Ocean Spray cranberry juice and launching into an absolutely epic lipsynch of the Fleetwood Mac song Dreams. The video turned Doggface into a major social media influencer with more than 3 million Instagram followers, not to mention some new wheels! The irony now is that Ocean Spray responded by giving Apodaca a new, cranberry-red, 2021 Chevy Silverado truck, which means he’s not likely to break down again, and now the Boise, Idaho outlet of 4 Wheel Parts have jumped in to give his truck a complete makeover, turning it into the “perfect rigged… . . . read more
ICY PARK: The Third Ivy Park Collection with Beyoncé
Pop star and fashion icon Beyoncé has partnered with adidas on their third collection in the ongoing IVY PARK partnership. The latest collection, aptly titled “ICY PARK”, brings the streets to the ski slopes, infusing alpine-ready silhouettes with classic streetwear elements to deliver an array of apparel, footwear, and accessories that champion all forms of creative self-expression. Expanding on the partnership’s collaborative mantra, “Where is My Park”, the collection is supported by a multi-media campaign, playfully dubbed “ICY PARK”, which seeks to inspire creativity, individuality, and imagination. The new collaboration features model Hailey Bieber, record label CEO and rapper Gucci Mane, singer Kaash Paige, and models Akesha Murray, Shi Gray, and Kyla Coleman, to celebrate freedom of expression. Challenging perceptions of traditional performance-focused design and encouraging the wearer to ‘make their park a wonderland’, the ICY PARK collection is… . . . read more