More than ever before, consumers are demanding access to brands on multiple platforms. This is nothing new: companies around the floor have been aware of the need to develop what are now being called "360 programs," where linear and digital entertainment, live experiences like shows and theme parks, social media, advertising and consumer merchandise are all essential parts … [Read more...] about 360 Degrees to Every Brand
Articles
A Roundup of Recent Sports Licensing Deals
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. Topps Tosses Celebrities into MLB Card Mix Would you trade your Clayton Kershaw or Bryce Harper for a President George H.W. Bush? If you collect baseball cards, these are the difficult decisions you may have to make. In addition to over 350 players, the newly released 2016 Topps Baseball Series 2 collection features insert sets commemorating … [Read more...] about A Roundup of Recent Sports Licensing Deals
Licensed Cannabis the Next Big Thing
This year’s Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition New York (CWCBExpo NY) welcomed a disparate crowd as businesses sought to stake a claim in an industry estimated to be worth $5.7 billion in the U.S. in 2015, according to ArcView Market Research and New Frontier. While TLL estimates place retail sales of licensed legal cannabis at less than 1% of all industry sales, … [Read more...] about Licensed Cannabis the Next Big Thing
Licensed Properties Play at E3
Seventy thousand-plus people, including 20,000 fans, flocked to the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles last week for the digital entertainment industry's annual parade of video game properties, both new and well known. The hot topic of the show was Virtual Reality (VR) with Sony announcing that its PlayStation VR headset for PS4 will become available Oct. 13, … [Read more...] about Licensed Properties Play at E3
Celebrities With Licensed Marijuana Products
At $2.7 billion, legal marijuana is the fastest growing industry in America; it’s also a potent social cause. So it’s not surprising that so many celebrities have jumped into the business. Here’s a rundown of leading celebrities who’ve been branded for marijuana products. For the latest, see TLL's feature on celebrity chefs who have signed for branded marijuana. Also see TLL's … [Read more...] about Celebrities With Licensed Marijuana Products
How Do Millennials Use Their Mobile Devices to Shop?
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. Almost all of this year's TLL Annual Licensing Business Survey respondents used two "M" words, often in the same sentence, when talking about key long-term trends in licensing and retail. And while they said it in different ways, they all made basically the same points: Millennials are the socio-economic group currently wielding the most influence … [Read more...] about How Do Millennials Use Their Mobile Devices to Shop?
VR, Cafes, Inflatables and More Branding Efforts
Experiential licensing, including theme parks, touring exhibitions and other location-based attractions can provide both revenue and ongoing exposure to build or maintain relationships with fans. Here are some of the latest deals: Pulse Evolution will leverage its partnerships with Authentic Brands Group and three late celebrity estates—Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley and … [Read more...] about VR, Cafes, Inflatables and More Branding Efforts
Who’s News
Beanstalk launches its Icon Representation service for the representation of personality rights of legendary icons to be led by Martin Cribbs, who joins as VP Brand Management. Rosalind Nowicki steps down as EVP Global Sales & Retail at 20th Century Fox to lead Iconix's entertainment division and Peanuts Worldwide. Zodiak Kids promotes Gwen Hughes to COO Zodiak Kids … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Entertainment/Character Leads Worldwide Growth of Licensed Sales in 2015
The following is an excerpt from TLL’s feature story on worldwide licensing. See the complete run-down here, including retail sales breakdowns by territory, product category and property type. Sales of goods based on entertainment properties grew 6.3% in 2015, by far the highest of any property type, according to The Licensing Letter’s Annual Licensing Business Survey. By … [Read more...] about Entertainment/Character Leads Worldwide Growth of Licensed Sales in 2015
Global Sales of Licensed Goods Reach $163.1 Billion in 2015; Highest Growth in Nearly a Decade
Update: 08/15/2016 Note: The figures for worldwide retail sales by property type and product cateogry have been restated for 2015 and 2014. While total retail sales have not changed, the breakdowns for the art and other property types as well as the food/beverage and other product categories has changed. Statistically, 2015 was a banner year for licensing with worldwide retail … [Read more...] about Global Sales of Licensed Goods Reach $163.1 Billion in 2015; Highest Growth in Nearly a Decade