The Licensing Letter

Entertainment/Character

Poll Says Dug From ‘Up’ is Entertainment’s Top Dog

By Marcy Magiera Cats may have taken center screen for most of the YouTube era (think Grumpy Cat, Pusheen, Venus the "Chimera Cat" and Colonel Meow), but Americans still love their dogs. Market researcher E-Poll surveyed kids and adults ahead of "National Dog Day" (Aug. 26) to come up with Americans' favorite canine entertainment characters. The most-liked dog among both groups … [Read more...] about Poll Says Dug From ‘Up’ is Entertainment’s Top Dog

Disney Rallies Fans for Properties in Licensing Pipeline

By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. Disney used its D23 fan expo—a sort of single company Comic-Con where the largest presentations were delivered to an audience of 7,500 (even more people than can be seated in Comic-Con's Hall H at the San Diego Convention Center)—to deliver updates on and promotions for most of the films in its licensed products pipeline. Included at D23, held Aug. 14-16 … [Read more...] about Disney Rallies Fans for Properties in Licensing Pipeline

Mattel Turns to Crowdsourcing for American Girl Rollout

By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. Mattel's two newest American Girl period dolls, Maryellen Larkin (from the 1950s) and Julie Albright (1970s), hit shelves on August 27. After successfully collaborating on a 70th anniversary YouTube documentary for Thomas the Tank Engine, Mattel has once more turned to crowdsourcing studio Tongal for help with the American Girl launch. The goal is to … [Read more...] about Mattel Turns to Crowdsourcing for American Girl Rollout

Betty Boop Undies, E-Store

It’s been a busy summer for Betty Boop and her owner King Features. In July, King announced a partnership with Grupo Cortefiel on a Betty Boop clothing and lingerie collection to be sold at the Spanish retailer’s Women’s Secret stores in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia. A few weeks later, King partnered with e-tail operator Myatt to open the first official … [Read more...] about Betty Boop Undies, E-Store

Penguin Books Clangers for U.S.

Penguin, the worldwide master publishing licensing partner of Clangers, will now take the British property to North America. The latest deal, brokered by Coolabi Group, gives Penguin Group U.S. the right to publish a Clangers picture book and audio CD recording narrated by TV and pop icon William Shatner in the U.S. and Canada. The expected release date is fall 2016. Other … [Read more...] about Penguin Books Clangers for U.S.

What’s Hot & What’s Not in 2015 Licensed Entertainment Property Sales

By Glenn Demby 'Tis the season for corporate earnings reports. Highlights from major entertainment licensors Disney, DreamWorks and Time Warner: Hot: Disney's consumer products division which grew 6% to $954 million Not Hot: Spider-Man which was actually down for the quarter Hot: The Avengers, Frozen and Star Wars which drove growth in Disney consumer products Not … [Read more...] about What’s Hot & What’s Not in 2015 Licensed Entertainment Property Sales

Digital Deals

By Glenn Demby You Gotta Have Hart: Hannah Hart is the latest YouTube star to cash in on her digital celebrity by inking a multi-year deal with women's multichannel network Kin Community for brand integrations, media opportunities and new programming production. Play Puck!: MLB Advanced Media will pay the NHL $600 million over 6 years for the right to broadcast and stream … [Read more...] about Digital Deals

Hello Kitty Hits the Road

Hello Kitty, one of the properties widely believed to have been squeezed by Frozen’s wild popularity in 2014, is taking to the road to defend her turf. The Sanrio property, an almost $4 billion globally licensed brand in 2013, is at the center of Hello Kitty’s Supercute Friendship Festival, the property’s first-ever North America touring show. The live entertainment show will … [Read more...] about Hello Kitty Hits the Road

DreamWorks Line Pairs Toons & Designers

DreamWorks Animation has teamed with famous fashion designers for Character Clash, a limited edition apparel line featuring an iconic character from the world of comics and cartoons. The men’s line, unveiled during New York Fashion Week, includes t-shirts and hoodies pairing, among others, Felix the Cat/Timo Weiland, Underdog/Billy Reid, Richie Rich/Michael Bastian, Where’s … [Read more...] about DreamWorks Line Pairs Toons & Designers