They may lack the romance of old Route 66, but the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway are traveled by more than 600 million vehicles and one billion people each year—enough to inspire a licensing program. The roadways will be commemorated on products including t-shirts, hoodies, bags, magnets, mugs, phone cases, beach towels, and wildflower seed packets sold at … [Read more...] about New Jersey Highways Become a Brand
Articles
Throngs Discuss Thrones
Game of Thrones, the highest rated show in HBO history, set the social media universe ablaze with the plot twists in its fifth season finale June 14. Despite the controversial developments, the publicity can only be good news for licensees. New products headed to retail include a new collector’s edition of the book Game of Thrones: A Pop-Up Guide to Westeros, packed with a … [Read more...] about Throngs Discuss Thrones
Build-A-Bear Lines Up Licensees
Build-A-Bear Workshop’s 400 stores will host a lineup of visiting entertainment/characters licenses well into next year. In residence now, ahead of the July 10 theatrical release of Minions, from Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment, are Kevin, Bob, and Stuart. In August come four dolls from MGA Entertainment’s Lalaloopsy. Entertainment One’s Peppa Pig will be in … [Read more...] about Build-A-Bear Lines Up Licensees
Nike Scores NBA Deal
As expected, Nike will replace Adidas as the National Basketball Association’s official on-court apparel provider, starting in the 2017-2018 season. The eight-year deal is reportedly valued at $125 billion a year, or $1 billion in total. That’s an estimated 245% more than Adidas paid. Of course, Nike is already an NBA licensee and, according HoopsHype, has endorsement deals … [Read more...] about Nike Scores NBA Deal
Will Jurrasic World Hatch Licensing Success?
Few things drive sales of licensed toys, apparel, etc., like a blockbuster movie. And at $208.8 million in North America and $524.1 globally, no film has ever grossed more in its opening weekend than Universal’s Jurassic World. Within days of Jurassic World’s June 12 opening, FX networks picked up the TV rights to the dino-sized hit. Of course, all of this is music to the ears … [Read more...] about Will Jurrasic World Hatch Licensing Success?
Global Retail Sales of Licensed Goods Rise 2%, Reach $158.8 Billion in 2014
Worldwide retail sales of licensed merchandise increased 2% to $158.8 billion in 2014, as compared to $155.8 billion in 2013, according to The Licensing Letter's Annual Licensing Business Survey. The increase was fuelled by strong sales in the U.S., U.K. and Asia, which offset the stagnation or decline in other big markets in and outside Europe. Results by … [Read more...] about Global Retail Sales of Licensed Goods Rise 2%, Reach $158.8 Billion in 2014
Who’s News
John Kristick, Global CEO of GroupM ESP leads the company’s new ESP Properties and ESP Brands, which serve sports and entertainments rightsholders in identifying and negotiating partnerships. ESP Brands is managed regionally by North American CEO Bryce Townsend. Sebastian Nystrom moves to Head of Strategy for Finnish grocery retailer S Group, from Head of New Products/Brand … [Read more...] about Who’s News
10 Things about the Current State of Art Design Licensing You Need to Know
If you couldn't make it to last month's SURTEX conference in NYC, here are key takeaways about the current state of licensing of surface designs for home goods, fashion, paper and other goods, courtesy of consultant Jeff Grinspan who put together the conference program: Although the industry is more competitive than ever, it's also rife with opportunity; More retailers are … [Read more...] about 10 Things about the Current State of Art Design Licensing You Need to Know
f.y.e. Expands Licensed Merch
Entertainment licensed merchandise is playing a significant role in the turnaround of retailer Trans World Entertainment Corp., which operates 310 entertainment stores primarily under the f.y.e. and Suncoast brands. The company reported that comparable store sales of “trend” merchandise rose 26.5% in its fiscal first quarter, ended May 2, with an ongoing shift in its inventory … [Read more...] about f.y.e. Expands Licensed Merch
Klum Speads Color From Down Under
Heidi Klum is ready to import her colorful line of men’s underwear, HK Man, to the U.S., she told WWD in a recent interview. HK Man was launched in Australia and New Zealand and is currently available in the U.S. online via www.heidiklumintimates.com. The site also teases a pending expansion of Klum’s lingerie brands to Europe. Bendon manufactures HK Man, as well as Heidi Klum … [Read more...] about Klum Speads Color From Down Under