By Marcy Magiera With the fall TV season about to start, research shows that the new programs with the highest ratings and consumer intent to watch are based on properties that are already established. ABC's "The Muppets" (62% awareness), Fox's "Minority Report" (35%) CBS' "Supergirl" (34%) and NBC's "Heroes Reborn" (28%) have the top … [Read more...] about Awareness High of New ‘Muppets,’ ‘Supergirl’ TV Shows
Articles
Licensed Products Figure Prominently in Season’s First ‘Hot Toys’ List
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. Yesterday, 105 days before Christmas, Toys 'R' Us unveiled its Holiday Hot Toy List for 2015. As you'd expect, licensed brands from Disney, especially Star Wars, figured prominently, capturing four of the coveted "Fabulous 15" spots. At least six of the Fab 15 were licensed, including (in the order listed by TRU): Doc McStuffins Take Care of Me … [Read more...] about Licensed Products Figure Prominently in Season’s First ‘Hot Toys’ List
Saban Gives Paul Frank Fashion Revamp
By Marcy Magiera Saban Brands Lifestyle Group is repositioning its Paul Frank Kids label as fashion rather than an entertainment character brand and taking in-house control of design, marketing and manufacturing. "Retailers get the cost savings by buying direct because we are doing our own sourcing and designing from our creative base in Sydney, Australia," Daniel Castle, … [Read more...] about Saban Gives Paul Frank Fashion Revamp
Philadelphia Flooded with Pope Products
By Marcy Magiera Updated Sept. 8, 2015 With less than three weeks until Pope Francis arrives on his first apostolic journey to the U.S., Philadelphia is reportedly becoming awash in papal products, both licensed and unlicensed. ‘Pope Rosary? Licensed. ‘Papal bobblehead? Licensed. ‘Pontiff wine glasses, Christmas ornaments, plush dolls, lifesize standees, etc.? All licensed. But … [Read more...] about Philadelphia Flooded with Pope Products
Who Lives in a Pineapple on Broadway?
The SpongeBob Musical will open at Broadway in Chicago’s Oriental Theatre on June 7, 2016, where it will play for a month in preparation for its run on Broadway (in New York) in the 2016-2017 season. The SpongeBob Musical will be produced by Nickelodeon with songs from John Legend, Cyndi Lauper, The Flaming Lips, T.I., Lady Antebellum, and Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of … [Read more...] about Who Lives in a Pineapple on Broadway?
Sesame Street Makes Room for HBO
In a move that means more TV exposure, HBO will be the exclusive first-run subscription TV partner for the next five seasons of iconic preschool series Sesame Street and new series from Sesame Workshop. PBS will also continue to air Sesame Street, but in a 30-minute rather than full-hour version, with new episodes available to public TV after an exclusive window on HBO … [Read more...] about Sesame Street Makes Room for HBO
Disney’s ‘Star Wars’ Merchandising Campaign: Bigger & Earlier than Anything Before
The timing between movie release and merchandising is a perennial challenge in movie licensing. Historically, merchandise associated with an anticipated blockbuster appears on store shelves around six weeks before release. But several of the entertainment executives we interviewed last spring for The Licensing Letter's 2014 Annual Licensing Business Survey predicted that this … [Read more...] about Disney’s ‘Star Wars’ Merchandising Campaign: Bigger & Earlier than Anything Before
Art Licensing Goes from Flat to Down 1.6%, as Fine Arts Thrive & Commercial Arts Struggle
While the overall licensing industry grew 2.5% in 2014, the art sector continued to struggle. After two years of flattish growth, retail sales of products based on licensed art properties in the U.S. and Canada actually fell 1.6%, from $5.64 billion to $5.55 billion, according to The Licensing Letter’s Annual Licensing Business Survey. Artist royalties also continued their … [Read more...] about Art Licensing Goes from Flat to Down 1.6%, as Fine Arts Thrive & Commercial Arts Struggle
Adidas Re-Ups with Indiana University for $53.6 Million & More
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. Updated Sept. 8, 2015 Indiana University Athletics' new $53.6 million apparel deal with Adidas is believed to be the fifth richest in all of college athletics. Key terms: Eight-year extension of current agreement through 2024; Adidas $6.7 million annual commitment to IU Athletics (as compared to $3.7 million under the previous agreement); Adidas to … [Read more...] about Adidas Re-Ups with Indiana University for $53.6 Million & More
It’s a Dog’s Life
Life magazine, that is. Life and venerable home goods marketer Laura Ashley are among the brands entering licensing agreements for pet products. Life has signed licensee GHS Studio to make pet beds and bean bags, while Laura Ashley teamed with Unique Petz for a full line of items including leashes, furniture covers, kennels, carriers, toys, and more. Americans spent an … [Read more...] about It’s a Dog’s Life