As we enter the New Year, TLL recaps our most-read stories of 2016. Ready to take a walk down memory lane—and see what you missed? Planned Feature Films with Licensing Potential [TLL Chart]. Our regularly updated list of upcoming feature films with licensing potential had many readers checking in throughout the year to see what's been added, removed, and updated since last … [Read more...] about TLL’s Top Headlines of 2016
Articles
Content Creators
The digital media and entertainment division of Alibaba will invest $7.2 billion in new content over the next three years. The CEO of Alibaba’s Digital Media and Entertainment Group, Yu Yongfu wrote in an internal email—the figure was later confirmed by a company spokesperson—that “he didn’t come to play,” according to Reuters. A+E Networks acquires a majority stake in South … [Read more...] about Content Creators
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. LEGO is getting a new CEO (its first non-Dane!) as Bali Padda takes over from Jorgen Vig Knudstrop, who becomes the company's chairman. As part of the shuffle, Knudstrop will also become chairman of a new entity … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Holiday Box Office, Upcoming Films Thru 2023
As we come to the end of the year, we've updated TLL's upcoming list of films with licensing potential. The biggest films of 2016 playing this holiday season are: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (Disney): 12/16/16 Doctor Strange (Disney): 10/20/16: $215.5 million in gross earnings, counting the most recent weekend for which data is available Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find … [Read more...] about Holiday Box Office, Upcoming Films Thru 2023
Looking Back: Brands Trending in 2016
As the top social media sites release their most popular 2016 posts, tweets, pins, etc., TLL breaks down the top trending brands this last year. Interestingly, the most trending topics don't necessarily perform well in licensing—see One Direction, which has virtually fallen off retail shelves—but there are some exceptions, such as Star Wars. The most popular YouTube video was … [Read more...] about Looking Back: Brands Trending in 2016
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. National Geographic appoints Rosa Zeegers, EVP Consumer Products & Experiences. Cartoon Network development executives Curtis Lelash and Tramm Wigzell have both been promoted to SVP Original Series to co-lead … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Licensing in the $40.4 Billion Theme Park Business
The amusement/theme park business is ramping up, and for licensed brands, it's only getting better. Global theme park spending totaled $40.4 billion in 2015, up 7.4% from 2014, according to the Intl. Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions (IAAPA). The IAAPA points to a 5.2% increase in attendance, the largest gain during the past five years, as the biggest reason for … [Read more...] about Licensing in the $40.4 Billion Theme Park Business
Mergers & Acquisitions
Global Brands Group purchases a majority stake in Sean John, Sean “Diddy” Combs' men’s lifestyle brand, as well as Combs’ hip-hop fashion brand Enyce. Sean John, which has annual retail sales of $450 million, operates under a completely licensed model; current licensees and an exclusive retail partnership with Macy's will be retained. Cherokee Global Brands (owner of Cherokee, … [Read more...] about Mergers & Acquisitions
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. AMBI Group launches their Global Brand Partnerships division, to be led by Keith Snelgrove. The National Retail Federation hires Martine Reardon, former CMO for Macy’s, as a senior advisor for retail and … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Retail Roundup
Barnes & Noble will host its first Harry Potter Magical Holiday Ball on Dec. 9th at stores throughout the U.S. The event will feature activities including a designated themed craft-making station, wizarding charades and games, a coloring station, photo opportunities, face painting, fortune telling, and Harry Potter lookalike showcases. Select stores will also feature treats … [Read more...] about Retail Roundup