This Valentine's Day, consumers are expected to show less love at retail, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). Following a decade-long trend of increased retail sales, U.S. consumers are expected to spend an average of $136.57 for a total of $18.2 billion—down from 2016’s record-high of $146.84 and $19.7 billion, respectively. The number of people surveyed who … [Read more...] about Valentine’s Day Goes to the Dogs
Articles
M&A & Marketing
Disney looks to raise its ownership stake in Disneyland Paris to 85.7% after cutting a deal to buy the interest held by another Euro Disney investor, Kingdom Holding Co. The company plans to buy out remaining shares and invest up to $1.6 billion in the park to improve conditions, which has been struggling with attendance figures following the Nov. 2015 terrorist attacks in … [Read more...] about M&A & Marketing
M&A & Marketing
Disney looks to raise its ownership stake in Disneyland Paris to 85.7% after cutting a deal to buy the interest held by another Euro Disney investor, Kingdom Holding Co. The company plans to buy out remaining shares and invest up to $1.6 billion in the park to improve conditions, which has been struggling with attendance figures following the Nov. 2015 terrorist attacks in … [Read more...] about M&A & Marketing
Who’s News
Open call Looking to hire or be hired? Contact our business development team to feature your listing on TLL. Just want to feature your new hires? Contact editorial. Joel Whitten Richardson is promoted to President of Turner Latin America. Richardson has executive oversight of Turner’s regional portfolio of general entertainment, kids, sports and free-to-air brands; … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Who’s News
Open call Looking to hire or be hired? Contact our business development team to feature your listing on TLL. Just want to feature your new hires? Contact editorial. Digital studio Astronauts Wanted hires Jonny Blitstein as its new VP Business Development Branded Entertainment. Discovery Consumer Products taps Ricky Li as VP Global Lifestyle & Retail. VF Corp. appoints … [Read more...] about Who’s News
LVMH Brings Eyewear Licenses In-house
Luxury goods group LVMH will set up a manufacturing joint venture with eyewear manufacturer Marcolin to give it more control over its eyewear brands. The French licensor will own 51% of the venture, and Marconi the rest. The deal also involves LVMH taking a 10% stake in the Italian company. Marcolin will begin manufacturing eyewear for the Celine and Louis Vuitton brands from … [Read more...] about LVMH Brings Eyewear Licenses In-house
Social Roundups
YouTube is the No. 1 brand amongst kids 6–12 years-old in the U.S., according to Smarty Pants’ list of Kids' Most Loved Brands. Other brands on the list include Disney (No. 6), while Toys 'R' Us (No. 7), Disney Channel (No. 9), Netflix (No. 11), Crayola (No. 18), Lego (No. 21), and Nickelodeon (No. 23). Snapchat files for an IPO, seeking a valuation of $25 billion. USA Today … [Read more...] about Social Roundups
Retailer Showdown
Over 100 retailers are joining forces to fight against a proposed U.S. tax on imports, aiming to sway both federal lawmakers and American consumers. The Americans for Affordable Products coalition includes The Retail Industry Leaders Association and more than 120 other trade groups. The proposed corporate tax reform is meant to reward companies that sell products outside the … [Read more...] about Retailer Showdown
Who’s News
Open call Looking to hire or be hired? Contact our business development team to feature your listing on TLL. Just want to feature your new hires? Contact editorial. The last couple of years have seen entire licensing teams displaced at top companies as they migrate across the corporate waters. We hope that the flocks have settled down for the winter—but just in case they … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Mergers & Acquisitions
Nine West Holdings enters into a definitive agreement to acquire women’s sportswear firm Kasper Group following its sale of the Easy Spirit wholesale business; the transaction is expected to close this month. Funko buys London-based manufacturer and distributor Underground Toys. Studio 100 acquires a 68% majority stake in m4e; the new group will bolster each company's … [Read more...] about Mergers & Acquisitions