THE DOLE FOOD COMPANY PARTNERS WITH BEANSTALK TO EXTEND BRAND INTO NEW PRODUCT OFFERINGS The Dole Food Company is partnering with global brand extension licensing agency, Beanstalk, to extend its iconic brand into food categories that further empower consumers to experience healthy living through association with the DOLE brand. Most famous as the world’s largest producer of pineapples, the DOLE brand has for generations represented the highest quality in produce with a mission to make the world a healthier place through education and research programs. More than just pineapples, DOLE is one of the world’s largest producers of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. “Today, being a meaningful part of everyday wellness and an environmental steward increasingly resonates with a growing audience across age groups,” the company said in… . . . read more
LeMans Revs Up Licensing With IMG
Prestigious Race Renews Licensing Deal The Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) has renewed its longstanding, exclusive worldwide licensing representation agreement with IMG for 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world’s oldest active sports car endurance race, through 2024. Since being appointed in 2008, IMG has built a robust portfolio of more than 80 licensees for the prestigious event, which has been held annually near the town of Le Mans, France since 1923. The Centenary of the race in 2023 will open up further development opportunities for key categories including apparel, toys and games, collectibles, homeware and accessories. “We are proud that the ACO has once again entrusted us with the 24 Hours of Le Mans consumer licensing programme,” said Arthur Virapin, Senior Licensing Director, IMG. “In the last four years… . . . read more
Hershey’s Expands Licensing For S’Mores
The Hershey Company and Brand Activation Consulting (BAC) today announced the expansion of its line of officially licensed Hershey’s S’Mores accessories with Mr. Bar-B-Q and new partner, International Wholesalers. The extensive line of Hershey’s S’Mores products that features popular backyard barbeque accessories, like carrying cases, wooden and light up skewers, will now include Hershey’s wipes, storage bags, grub holders, freezer-safe storage containers and rotating skewers. “The Hershey Company understands that consumers who have deep, personal connections to brands like to experience them in multiple ways,” said Michelle McLaughlin, Chief Executive Officer, Brand Activation Consulting. “These new accessories from International Wholesalers as well as Hershey’s S’Mores graphics integrated in our lifestyle product stories will further those connections by allowing consumers to have a complete S’Mores celebration from beginning to end.” For… . . . read more
Fanatics Partners With NFL and Amazon In Major Strategic Shift
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Amazon is the dominant force in the Western world when it comes to ecommerce, with the one exception of pro-sports branded sports gear and memorabilia, and that’s because the market is largely cornered by Fanatics. Now, that may be changing due to a game changing new partnership between the National Football League, Fanatics, and Amazon. The NFL is now bringing thousands of its officially licensed products to the ecommerce site in a move that could permanently transform the market for sports fan products. The partnership does not exclude Fanatics, which is part of the three-way collaboration that will see Fanatics opening an NFL Shop storefront on Amazon’s website. Starting on Wednesday, March 31, the NFL will bring the first of thousands of branded… . . . read more
Wham-O Appoints Global Licensing Agency
There are few companies that have historically done a better job of branding their inventions than Wham-O, and now Anjar Co. and Becker Associates has been given the weighty responsibility of licensing and commercializing brands like Hula Hoop, Hacky Sack, Boogie Board, and Frisbee, among many others. It’s a mark of Wham-O’s success in creating successful new products that those types of products are generally known to the public by the company’s brand names. You don’t go out to play ‘flying disc’, for example; you go out to play Frisbee, and the same can be said of Slip’n’Slide, Hacky Sack, Boogie Board, and Hula Hoop. Wham-O says it has appointed Anjar Co. & Becker Associates as the exclusive global licensing agency for all of its brand, which include Frisbee, Slip ’N Slide, Hula Hoop, Hacky… . . . read more
Under Armour Ending Licensing Deal With NFL
Sports clothing and equipment company Under Armour is preparing to end its licensing contract with the National Football League, according to a report in the Financial Times. Under Armour has not officially confirmed the contract termination, but the Financial Times reported this week the deal will end later this year. The company’s licensing deal with the NFL allowed the brand to be displayed on accessories such as gloves and boots during games. The arrangement has been somewhat awkward over the past week, as Nike is the official supplier of uniforms and apparel for the NFL, but Under Armour has a licensing agreement with Tom Brady, who took the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to an historic Super Bowl victory on Sunday. During a post-game interview, Brady courted some controversy as some sports… . . . read more
BBC Adopts Brainbase Licensing Tech for Bluey Franchise
BBC Studios has announced a partnership with Brainbase to use that company’s software for end-to-end IP management, and will initially use the technology for its breakout hit Bluey. The BBC says Brainbase Assist will be used to streamline and manage their global licensing business for the popular kid’s show Bluey, which airs in the U.S. on Disney Junior and Disney Channel and is available to stream on Disney+. “We are ecstatic to welcome BBC Studios to the Brainbase family,” said Brainbase co-founder and CEO Nate Cavanaugh, who was recently named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2021. “Our team is excited to see Bluey’s consumer products come to life on our platform, and to provide best-in-class technology to support their globally-recognized IP and rapidly growing consumer products business.”… . . . read more
Playmobil Launches Classic Volkswagens
German toymaker Playmobil has partnered with equally storied car manufacturer Volkswagen to bring out their own tiny car line for kids. First announced in September, the partnership has resulted in the release of a classic VW Beetle and the original VW Camper Bus, known in Germany as the ‘Bulli’, and unofficially by a generation of young American travelers as ‘the hippie bus’. The van even includes its own hippies! The camper van comes as well equipped as its real life counterpart, with its 74 pieces including a sleeping area, kitchen, removable roof, storage space, two figures, roof rack, and a wide range of camping accessories. The VW Beetle also comes with a California surf vibe, released with a roof rack to hold surf boards and travel gear. Playmobil has been… . . . read more
Fanatics & Lids Reach Long-Term Deal With BNED
The sports merchandise company Fanatics has added to its long list of critical deals in 2020 with a long-term merchandising partnership with Barnes & Noble Education Inc. (BNED), the campus store division of the Barnes & Noble parent company. Fanatics will offer BNED campus stores an expanded product selection and a direct-to-consumer platform. Fanatics’ partly-owned Lids will also provide BNED trend and sales performance data on licensees, product styles and design treatments from more than 1,200 Lids stores. As well, Fanatics and Lids will jointly make a $15 million strategic equity investment in BNED and receive 2.3 million shares of BNED in exchange, representing a share price of $6.50 per share. BNED expects to use these proceeds for its strategic growth initiatives. BNED is a college retailer that was spun off from bookseller… . . . read more
Shell Hires Beanstalk As Global Licensing Agent
Beanstalk scored a major new client, becoming the licensing agency for Shell, one of the world’s largest energy and petrochemical companies, operating in 70 countries and boasting 80,000 employees worldwide. Beanstalk announced this week its partnership with Shell to extend the company’s brand into a range of consumer products and services. The program will look to leverage Shell’s legacy and will extend into relevant categories including toys and collectibles, apparel and accessories. The worldwide licensing initiative will further reflect and reinforce Shell’s commitment to becoming a net-zero energy company, Shell officials said. “We are very excited to partner with Beanstalk to work on extending the Shell brand into exciting new areas,” says Satish Murthi, Commercial Manager, Brand Licensing and Protection at Shell. “We believe Beanstalk’s expertise, network and professionalism will… . . . read more