With licensed sales expected to grow to over $100 billion, 2015 will be the fifth straight year of growth. The licensing industry is nothing if not unrelentingly optimistic, and this coming year will likewise prove to be no different. In 2015, we saw an acute period of transition, where consumers embraced brands as part and parcel of their greater lifestyle experience. They … [Read more...] about Top Trends of 2015: The “Experience”, Maker Movement, Globalization, and More
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Who’s News
HTI promoted Alison Downie Global Licensing & Brand Director. Rocket Licensing appointed Megan Wain as the new Licensing Coordinator. Penguin Ventures appointed Thomas Merrington to the newly created role of Peter Rabbit Brand Manager & Head Product Development for the Penguin Ventures portfolio. Meanwhile, Penguin Random House Children's U.K. promoted Richard Haines … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Growing Ecommerce Sales Make This an Average Black Friday
By Karina Masolova Retail sales for Black Friday and Thanksgiving Day saw a channel shift expected to stay strong throughout the holiday season. Ecommerce sales were up, accounting for roughly a quarter of sales over the two-day period. And needless to say, over the weekend and into Cyber Monday, computer- and mobile-based sales only grew. Internet analytics firm comScore … [Read more...] about Growing Ecommerce Sales Make This an Average Black Friday
Top 5 Sports Licensing Stories of 2015
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. 1. Nike Takes NBA from Adidas In March, Adidas announced that it would not renew its 11-year partnership with the NBA. Nike swooshed in and by June secured an 8-year, reported $1 billion deal to be the Association's on-court uniform supplier starting in 2017. 2. Adidas Takes NHL from Reebok Six months after walking away from the NBA account, Adidas won … [Read more...] about Top 5 Sports Licensing Stories of 2015
Pantones Colors Fashion, Décor Pink and Blue
If a color—or two—can reflect the mood of a people, it could be that we're all just lightening up. Color house Pantone has for the first time named a blending of two shades, Rose Quartz (Pantone 13-1520) and Serenity (Pantone 15-3919), as its Color of the Year for 2016. The positively pastel pink-blue combo stands in stark contrast to the hue of 2015: Marsala, a dark, earthy … [Read more...] about Pantones Colors Fashion, Décor Pink and Blue
Toy Sales to Grow This Holiday Season With Boost from Licensing
By Karina Masolova, additional reporting by Marcy Magiera Toy sales are on the up, thanks to licensed goods, as researchers are predicting a very merry holiday season for toy manufacturers and retailers around the world. With no one brand or trend dominating this year, retailers are stocking up on a variety of toys and games—translating into financial success across the … [Read more...] about Toy Sales to Grow This Holiday Season With Boost from Licensing
U.K. Teams Spearhead Euro Soccer’s Licensing Surge into U.S.
“It’s only a matter of time before soccer becomes as big in the U.S. as it is abroad.” It’s an admonishment I’ve heard all my life. But I haven’t given it much credence—until recently. I doubt soccer will ever overtake football, baseball or hoops in popularity. But I do think the gap may be starting to close. Exhibit A is the incredible growth in soccer-branded merchandise … [Read more...] about U.K. Teams Spearhead Euro Soccer’s Licensing Surge into U.S.
Who’s News
Art licensing agency MHS Licensing has hired Cathy Anderson as an Account Executive. Iconix Brand Group has promoted Carolann Dunn to the newly created role of VP Sales for Peanuts Worldwide and Iconix Brand Group’s entertainment division Estée Lauder expands John Demsey's responsibilities to become Executive Group President. Jane Hertzmark Hudis is also promoted to Group … [Read more...] about Who’s News
42 Entertainment Character Properties Reach $100 Million in Sales of Licensed Merchandise; “Frozen” Debuts at No. 6
Marcy Magiera, additional reporting by Glenn Demby and Karina Masolova The “Frozen effect” is clearly evident on The Licensing Letter’s annual list of entertainment/character properties with more than $100 million in sales in the U.S. and Canada for 2014 (see the full list here). The property debuted on the $100 million-plus in the Top 10, amid robust growth for other platinum … [Read more...] about 42 Entertainment Character Properties Reach $100 Million in Sales of Licensed Merchandise; “Frozen” Debuts at No. 6
Trap to Avoid: Using Licensee’s Brand to Define “Licensed Articles” in Your Exclusive
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. THE SITUATION Film studio Nonexistent Cinema licenses the characters from its highly anticipated sci-fi movie XYZ Force to manufacturer Fictitious Toys for an exclusive line of action figures to be sold under Fictitious's registered trademark, Pseudo Heroes®. THE AGREEMENT The licensing agreement grants Fictitious exclusive rights to use the XYZ … [Read more...] about Trap to Avoid: Using Licensee’s Brand to Define “Licensed Articles” in Your Exclusive