The Licensing Letter

Articles

Entertainment Steals the Show for 2015 Retail Sales

As in 2014, entertainment/character claimed the highest growth rate of any property type (except for the fledgling digital celebrities subcategory) at 8%. It seems hard to believe that entertainment licensing had declined every year from 2008 through 2012. That trend turned around in 2013 with 3.6% growth, followed by 6% growth in 2014. Once again, growth in entertainment … [Read more...] about Entertainment Steals the Show for 2015 Retail Sales

Toys/Games, Food/Beverage & Apparel Lead Growth on Products Side

For the second straight year, toys/games was the fastest growing product category, posting an 8.1% increase. Growth in toy and game merchandise has mirrored (and fed off of) the success of the entertainment/character property type over the past three years. As in 2013 and 2014, connection to “A-list” entertainment properties like Frozen, Star Wars and Minions drove growth in … [Read more...] about Toys/Games, Food/Beverage & Apparel Lead Growth on Products Side

Freshness Eludes Celebrity Scents

By Marcy Magiera Despite a small rush of celebrity-licensed fragrances introduced to retail in the late summer and fall, the category still smells off, with marketers Elizabeth Arden, Coty and Parlux all reporting recent sales declines as a result of soft demand for mass market scents. Elizabeth Arden reported earlier this month that sales for its fiscal second quarter, ended … [Read more...] about Freshness Eludes Celebrity Scents

Is Rachael Ray the Next Big Celebrity Lifestyle Brand?

By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. POP QUIZ "I'm not an interior designer. But I've developed my own take on all things home and creating a [home furnishings] collection that represents my daily life is a natural evolution for my lifestyle brand." Question Which celebrity said this?   Taylor Swift Jessica Alba Reese Witherspoon Gwyneth Paltrow None of the above Answer None of … [Read more...] about Is Rachael Ray the Next Big Celebrity Lifestyle Brand?

TOTY’s Top Toys Hit the Nostalgic, Tech Sweet Spots

By Karina Masolova The 113th North American International Toy Fair once again played host to the The Toy Industry Association's annual Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards. Three of the top toys are licensed—sweeping the boy's, girl's and preschool categories—with Doc McStuffins in the top stop for the preschool and overall toy of the year. Unsurprisingly, the top brand was Disney's … [Read more...] about TOTY’s Top Toys Hit the Nostalgic, Tech Sweet Spots

Six New Streaming Shows with Licensing Potential

News of new kids' TV distribution deals made by Netflix and Amazon last week drove home a discussion we have increasingly been having with licensing executives about the ability of digital platforms to launch new properties (as well as boost business for existing brands). While hard data showing a positive causal relationship between viewership on digital platforms and … [Read more...] about Six New Streaming Shows with Licensing Potential

5 Reasons MLB Hit a Licensing Grand Slam in 2015

By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. 2015 was another strong year for sports licensing in the U.S./Canada. But while all leagues grew, few did better than Major League Baseball. Here are 5 reasons why: 1. New Stars As with other sports, baseball relies on stars to drive growth. The past few years has seen a changing of the guard as the Derek Jeters, Mariano Riveras and Big Papis (David … [Read more...] about 5 Reasons MLB Hit a Licensing Grand Slam in 2015

Toy Fair 2016

By Karina Masolova While last year’s Toy Fair was dominated by Frozen and Minions, this year their effects were felt more literally, with attendees braving sub-zero degree weather. Although the power brands are nowhere near gone, there was a greater diversity of new properties as well as nostalgia-fueled reboots, re-launches and spinoffs. Technology-enhanced play and STEAM (if … [Read more...] about Toy Fair 2016