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
The Gap Rolls Out New Home Products Brand
The Gap is now getting into home fashion, after signing a license for soft home merchandise with Al-Karam Textile Mills of Pakistan. The Gap says the collection will include bedding, bath and decorative accessories for adults, kids, teen and babies. Al-Karam’s license covers North America only for now, and the first Gap Home Collection is scheduled for release in mid-2021. The first Gap Home collection will be available in summer 2021 both online and in The Gap’s brick-and-mortar outlets. The Gap Home collection was announced early this year when The Gap Inc. said it would be seeking home fashion licenses for several of its brands, including Gap, Janie and Jack, and Banana Republic. Gap Inc. also announced a deal with licensing firm IMG that would see the agency helping the company… . . . read more
Brand Central Signs Internationally Renowned Steakhouse Fogo De Chão
For licensees and retailers looking to provide restaurant-quality experiences to consumers at home, Brand Central has come up with a unique solution through a new partnership with famed Brazilian steakhouse chain Fogo de Chao. Fogo de Chão specializes in the centuries-old Southern Brazilian cooking technique of churrasco – the art of roasting high-quality cuts of meats over open flame, all of which are carved tableside by Brazilian-trained gaucho chefs. Founded in Southern Brazil in 1979, there are currently 56 locations throughout Brazil, the United States, Mexico and the Middle East. Fogo is known for its experiential dining and menu innovation that allows guests to enjoy a variety of dishes such as Brazilian Picanha sirloin and Lamb Chops, unique cocktails and award-winning wines. Founded in Southern Brazil in 1979, there are… . . . read more
Eatwith in Tasty Collaboration With MASTERCHEF
Pretty much every MasterChef fan in the world has likely wished they could learn to cook like the champion cooks they see on TV. And now, thanks to a delicious partnership between MASTERCHEF and Eatwith, they can. Eatwith is the world’s largest community for authentic culinary experiences with locals. The company has now partnered with Endemol Shine North America, a Banijay company which produces the hit culinary competition series MASTERCHEF. This week the two culinary powerhouses announced they are extending their partnership with all-new, live, online cooking classes hosted by MASTERCHEF contestants from past seasons. Adding to the 400+ dining experiences booked to date, the new Eatwith MASTERCHEF virtual format will give fans and home cooks alike a unique opportunity to invite their favorite MASTERCHEF contestants into their kitchens for… . . . read more
BrandGenuity Mixes Well With Kahlúa
Kahlúa, one of the world’s most popular and best known liqueurs, has selected Brandgenuity as its exclusive licensing agency. The classic Mexican coffee liqueur got its start when Pedro Domecq, a sherry and brandy producer from Spain, began producing the coffee liqueur in Veracruz, Mexico. The company was partially acquired by Pernod Ricard in 2005, and now has its headquarters in Sweden, but Kahlúa production is maintained in Mexico. It is arguably the most popular coffee liqueur in the world, and is the central ingredient in a variety of classic cocktails, including the Espresso Martini, White Russian and Cold Brew Soda. In 2019 Kahlúa sold more than 1.5 million 9 litre cases and shipped to more than 15 markets, in 2019. However, at present the brand has only two licensing… . . . read more
British & Irish Lions Partner with Titleist
Renowned rugby squad the British & Irish Lions have reached a licensing agreement with golf industry giant Titleist, in advance of their upcoming 2021 matchup against the world champion Springboks from South Africa. World-renowned as a performance equipment brand, having earned the overwhelming trust of tour professionals, club professionals, competitive amateurs and dedicated golfers worldwide, Titleist will offer a range of high-specification, Lions-branded accessories including golf balls, golf bags and golf club head covers, as well as gloves and towels. The Dec. 4 announcement comes amid intense interest in the coming Lion’s summer tour. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic travel agents have seen record numbers of travel packages and tickets sold to supporters of both the Lions and the Springboks. The match has sparked a slate of commercial partnerships recently being announced including… . . . read more
Licensed Ecommerce Sales Jump 3.5%, Outpacing B&M Channel Growth in 2019
Licensed retail sales in the U.S. and Canada were up 3.2% in 2019, with ecommerce sales outpacing the industry average at 3.5% growth and sales through brick and mortar channels up 3.0% per TLL’s Annual Licensing Business Survey…
Discounters, Grocery Drive Corp/TM Growth in 2018
The largest distibution channels as ranked by retail sales for corporate trademark/brand-based goods also led in sheer dollar growth in 2018, propelling U.S. & Canada sales to almost $29.8 billion…