By Marcy Magiera The extent to which the world's largest toy companies are reliant on entertainment/character licenses is crystal clear in a side-by-side Q2 comparison of giants Mattel and Hasbro. (We added Jakks Pacific to the chart for fun and to further illustrate the point). Two years after the property stormed retail, both companies are still feeling the Frozen effect: … [Read more...] about Summer or Not, Mattel and Hasbro Still Feeling Frozen
Articles
Ranking the World’s Largest Licensing Markets
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. As in previous years, global licensing in 2015 was top-heavy with eight countries accounting for 87.5% of all retail sales, according to TLL's Annual Licensing Business Survey. See the complete list of the top 50 countries by retail sales worldwide, including breakdowns by territory here. The Top 10 The U.S. dominates the world rankings with over $93 … [Read more...] about Ranking the World’s Largest Licensing Markets
Mergers & Acquisitions
G-III Apparel Group will buy Donna Karan Intl. from LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton for $650 million. G-III will gain the Donna Karan and DKNY brands, which have had a “disappointing performance,” over the last 7 months according to LVMH. Hasbro acquires Irish animation studio Boulder Media, which currently produces animated series for Disney XD, BBC, Cartoon Network, … [Read more...] about Mergers & Acquisitions
Branded Stores
Women’s magazine Marie Claire is entering the retail business with its very own High Street store. Time Inc’s magazine is teaming up with online grocer Ocado to launch the new beauty store, which will open in London’s Tottenham Court Walk. Following the announcement of NBA Stores in the Middle East, the National Basketball Association has taps Spanish restaurant group AN Grup … [Read more...] about Branded Stores
The Language of Licensing
By Karina Masolova The language of licensing is slowly shifting to reflect new practices and perceptions. To this end, TLL surveyed our readers to gauge the extent of these changes—and while the implications for the business are not necessarily immediate or obvious, they run deep and true. Walking the floor of Licensing Expo 2016, it was clear that there exists a strict … [Read more...] about The Language of Licensing
With VR, Top Entertainment Properties Weave a Web Around Fans
Virtual reality technology is giving entertainment licensors a way to immerse fans more fully in their favorite franchises, with perennial properties including Shrek and Star Wars positioned to reach fans in three dimensions. DreamWorks Animation has entered into a deal with visual effects house Digital Domain to produce VR experiences with popular DWA characters, including … [Read more...] about With VR, Top Entertainment Properties Weave a Web Around Fans
Who’s News
Rob McMenemy leaves Egmont Publishing in his role as CEO Intl. In the U.K., Sarah Bates is promoted to Commercial Director, Ali Dougal moves up to Fiction Publishing Director and John Packard to Brands & Licensing Publishing Director. Henna Riaz launches HRR Entertainment. The music and business management company will manage individuals in the music and entertainment … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Apparel Fuels 3.1% Growth in U.S./Canada Fashion Licensing—Global Growth Is Even Higher
Growing competition; continued decline in the brick and mortar backyard; currency devaluation in Europe and Asia; a fourth quarter retail fiasco. 2015 was a tough year for the fashion industry. Yet, for all of the challenges, fashion licensing prospered in not only in the U.S./Canada but worldwide, according to The Licensing Letter’s Annual Licensing Business Survey. Global … [Read more...] about Apparel Fuels 3.1% Growth in U.S./Canada Fashion Licensing—Global Growth Is Even Higher
Pokémon GOes Viral in its 20th Anniversary Celebrations
By Karina Masolova Free-to-play augmented reality game Pokémon Go has caused quite a stir—with everyone from retailers to networks eager to get a piece of the pie. The game's success is born of arguably born of a cross between nostalgia for the classic franchise (Pokémon celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2016) as well as consumer excitement for new gaming technology. Pokémon … [Read more...] about Pokémon GOes Viral in its 20th Anniversary Celebrations
2015’s Most Intriguing Fashion Licensing Deals
Here are 10 highlights from 2015, in no particular order, that made headlines and drove the $39.3 billion worldwide industry for licensed fashion merchandise. See the complete story here, including worldwide retail sales of licensed fashion merchandise; breakdowns by property type and product category in the U.S. and Canada; and breakdowns by distribution channel. January: … [Read more...] about 2015’s Most Intriguing Fashion Licensing Deals