It’s hard to say which Italians love more—cats or football—but you certainly can’t go wrong combining the two, as the charity Italia Gattastica has done in a licensing deal between Italian National Team champion Marco Verratti and the four feline protagonists from the popular show 44 Cats. The partnership was formed as the UEFA European Football Championship is around the corner, and Verratti will be in the spotlight on field and off as he plays the new role of Gatto Marco in the much loved children’s series. Gatto Marco will join Lampo, Milady, Pilou and Meatball on a uniquely customized Italian flag dedicated to the sport event. The revenues from the sale of the limited edition Italian flag, available on Rainbow Amazon Store, will be donated to Make-A-Wish Italia Onlus, the… . . . read more
FanGirl Inks Opal Lee Deal Ahead of Juneteenth Events
The non-profit Unity Unlimited, Inc. and the 94-year-old social impact leader Opal Lee have selected FanGirl Consulting and Brand Management to develop brand strategies for the following areas: Consumer Products licensing, Brand Partnerships, and Sponsorship activations. Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day and celebrated on June 19th, is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. The day of commemoration marks the declaration of General Order No.3 which enforced Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, almost two and a half years after the official proclamation was made. Opal Lee has made it her life’s mission to bring awareness to the effort to raise Juneteenth to an officially recognized national holiday. In 2016, at the age of 90, Lee launched the campaign Opal’s Walk 2 DC, walking… . . . read more
Keen Shoes and Jerry Garcia Take On Climate Change, In Style
Shoemaker KEEN and the Jerry Garcia Family have expanded the company’s branded collection of sandals and sneakers, featuring Jerry Garcia’s artwork, in a campaign to save the Tongass temperate rainforest. The Tongass is considered the largest remaining temperate rain forest in the world, and KEEN is now auctioning off the #420 individually numbered collector’s limited-edition Newport Junglescape Sandal via Bidding For Good, with 100% of the proceeds to benefit The Wilderness Society’s ‘Protect the Tongass’ campaign. The auction will close April 30 at 11:59 p.m. PT. “Jerry Garcia was devoted to the exploration and performance of music and was not known for taking public positions on issues,” says Erik Burbank, Vice President of The KEEN Effect. “But, in September 1988, he and the Grateful Dead felt compelled to step up… . . . read more
Streaming & Experiential Power Up
Amazon and Netflix expand their content reach; plus, new experiential/travel initiaitives from Japan, the U.K., and the U.S.…
A Look at Non-Profits
While the last four years have seen negative growth in retail sales of licensed merchandised based on non-profit properties, TLL is observing slow, steady recovery…
Philadelphia Flooded with Pope Products
With less than three weeks until Pope Francis arrives on his first apostolic journey to the U.S., Philadelphia is reportedly becoming awash in papal products, both licensed and unlicensed. Pope Francis is traveling to the U.S. for The World Meeting of Families–Philadelphia 2015, which appointed…
