The Licensing Letter

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Small Bites

News tidbits in the food and beverages sector: Eggland’s Best signed with Joester Loria Group to extend its egg brand to kitchen tools, appliances, publishing and other food items. Sony Pictures TV has enlisted 21st Century Spirits for a limited Heisenberg Blue Ice Vodka inspired by the TV series Breaking Bad. Huy Fong Foods is teaming with Pop! Gourmet Foods and Red Gold on … [Read more...] about Small Bites

Branding, Island Style

Two brands that embrace a beach lifestyle, Tommy Bahama and Maui Jim, are summering together. Maui Jim polarized sunglasses will be sold at all Tommy Bahama stores and online, marking the first time that Tommy Bahama will sell a branded product other than its own. … [Read more...] about Branding, Island Style

Marvel Avengers’ Mission: To Get Kids Moving

Walt Disney Consumer Products and toy licensee Hasbro will appeal to families interested in both active play and tech toys with Playmation, a system of toys and wearable devices that uses motion sensors and wireless technology to encourage kids to run around while controlling smart action figure toys from wriststrapped gear. Playmation’s Marvel Avengers will hit stores in … [Read more...] about Marvel Avengers’ Mission: To Get Kids Moving

New Jersey Highways Become a Brand

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

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