Asmodee Group launches a new division devoted to developing content based on its owned IP, primarily through strategic partnerships and licensing. Asmodee Entertainment will be the launching ground for new films, TV series, and comics and graphic novels. Already in development is a film based on the board game Catan, which is being adapted by Sony Pictures. DC Entertainment … [Read more...] about Experiential, New Media & Partnerships
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Who’s News—3/26/2018
Are you hiring—or being promoted, changing jobs, retiring, launching a new company, or otherwise changing your employment? Email Jen at jen@plainlanguagemedia.com and we'll announce the news in our next issue of Who's News. Genius Brands appoints Cindy Elfenbein to the newly formed position of VP Global Consumer Products & Retail Development, reporting to SVP Global … [Read more...] about Who’s News—3/26/2018
Average Royalty Edges Up 0.5% to Reach 8.79%
The average royalty rate across all property types and product categories edged up 0.5% in 2017 to reach 8.79% in the U.S./Canada. This marks the seventh straight year of gradual growth; the average royalty was 8.75% in 2016 and 8.73% in 2015. Since 2005, the average royalty rate across property types and product categories has remained in the 8.6–8.8% range. Over half of … [Read more...] about Average Royalty Edges Up 0.5% to Reach 8.79%
Coming off a Strong 2017, Licensing Execs Cautious Going into 2018
Bucking the trend from previous years, hope does not spring eternal. According to The Licensing Letter’s Annual Licensing Business Survey, over 70% of licensing companies experienced growth in retail sales in 2017. In contrast, 21% of respondents reported declining sales, and 7% had flat growth. This trend has been observed over the last couple of years, where the number of … [Read more...] about Coming off a Strong 2017, Licensing Execs Cautious Going into 2018
Death of a Salesman
It's official: Toys 'R' Us is winding down its U.S. operations with an eye towards liquidating its inventory and 800 locations. Be forewarned, however, that TRU's swan song is just the opening act for a great retail tragedy set to unfold over the next 10 years. Internationally, the retailer is actively pursuing a reorganization and a sale process for its Canadian stores as … [Read more...] about Death of a Salesman
Counterfeit Seizures Up 10%; Money Not the Issue?
In the U.S., retail sales of consumer goods are up—but so are the instances of counterfeits, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security based on data from the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agencies. A record number of shipments that violated companies’ intellectual property rights were seized … [Read more...] about Counterfeit Seizures Up 10%; Money Not the Issue?
Who’s News—3/19/2018
Are you hiring—or being promoted, changing jobs, retiring, launching a new company, or otherwise changing your employment? Email Jen at jen@plainlanguagemedia.com and we'll announce the news in our next issue of Who's News. Scott Halpern is promoted to Director North American Licensing at WWE. Funko hires Molly Hartney as CMO & SVP E-commerce. Hartney is responsible for … [Read more...] about Who’s News—3/19/2018
Mass & Ecommerce Grow Licensed Distribution
Retail sales of licensed merchandise surged through online/ecommerce channels in 2017, according to TLL's Annual Licensing Business Survey. The channel moved by 0.3 percentage points to make up 12% of all licensed sales—outpacing department, off-price, and convenience stores. Discount/mass led with 32.3% share, followed by specialty stores (19%) and grocery and drug (12.1%). … [Read more...] about Mass & Ecommerce Grow Licensed Distribution
Black Panther Gearing Up to Take $250 Million in 2018
It's not carrying quite the same level of earning potential of Disney's last breakout film, Frozen, but Marvel's Black Panther is one of the few properties set to carry the 2018 merchandising narrative. A box office wunderkind, the film is expected to break the $1 billion mark at the global box office any day now. And, unsurprisingly, consumer demand for the property is strong … [Read more...] about Black Panther Gearing Up to Take $250 Million in 2018
Contracts Steady With 2- and 3-year Terms Dominating
According to TLL's Annual Licensing Business Survey, contract lengths remain steady. Two-year terms were the most common (40% of respondents), followed by three-year (27%) as well as four- and five-year (13% each) terms. Approximately 80% of respondents reported that their average contract length was unchanged from the previous year. Of the remaining 20%, a significant … [Read more...] about Contracts Steady With 2- and 3-year Terms Dominating