Greater China—mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau—has been one of the fastest-growing licensing markets within Asia and in the world over the past few years. In fact, two of the countries in Greater China, the mainland and Macau, were the first and second fastest-growing individual countries in retail sales of licensed products in 2013, with increases of 9.2% and 9.0%, … [Read more...] about Greater China Continues to Demonstrate Rapid Growth In Licensing
Articles
More Preschool Properties Originating Outside U.S.
The $10.6 billion worldwide preschool sector was one of the first within entertainment/character licensing in which properties originating outside the U.S. became part of global culture (see pie chart, below), according to The Licensing Letter’s just-published all-new 2nd edition of “The Global Market for Licensed Preschool Properties.” Because most preschoolers can’t read, … [Read more...] about More Preschool Properties Originating Outside U.S.
A Niche of Their Own: Touch by Alyssa Milano Is Catalyst For Fast-Growing Off-field Licensed Women’s Sportswear
Women represent the most dynamic seg- ment of the off-field sports apparel market. Women make up nearly half of all self-identified MLB fans and 44% of NFL TV viewers. More women watch the Super Bowl than the Oscars. Not surprisingly, women’s interest in sports is translating into growing sales of licensed women’s sports apparel. Today: Women are the single fastest growing … [Read more...] about A Niche of Their Own: Touch by Alyssa Milano Is Catalyst For Fast-Growing Off-field Licensed Women’s Sportswear
Who’s News
Vinnie D’Alleva joins Mattel as SVP Fisher-Price Friends, overseeing Thomas & Friends, Bob the Builder, and other HiT entertainment Properties. D’Alleva was previously President/GM of North America at the mayborn Group. Steve LaBella, SVP Fisher-Price Preschool, adds responsibility for product development on Nickelodeon’s Dora and Friends: Into the City and Disney’s Jake … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Staying One Tech Ahead
Outfit7 is licensing its app, Talking Tom & Friends, to Toyze to enable users to customize 3-D-printable game characters. Users—there are 230 million of them monthly, according to the company—can use a free app to personalize Talking Tom (first character available; others to follow) and then share the creation via social media. Alternately, they can model and print their … [Read more...] about Staying One Tech Ahead
Nokia Licensing ‘Other Devices’
Nokia is making its brand name available for licensing of tech devices and other products except for handsets, including a tablet made by Foxconn. As for phone handsets, while Microsoft has just introduced a new handset without the Nokia name, Microsoft’s license to use the name runs through 2016. “What we’re looking at here is not Nokia’s ‘return’ to the smartphone … [Read more...] about Nokia Licensing ‘Other Devices’
Bundling Goods with Music
Garth Brooks’s GhostTunes music downloading service rolled out last month in tandem with release of Brooks’ “Man Against the Machine” album, his first in 13 years. The new service allows artists to bundle licensed merchandise, tickets, and the music itself, to order. While others bundle merchandise, GhostTunes reportedly pays 80% of music sales to the artist—compared to 70% … [Read more...] about Bundling Goods with Music
Hornets’ Slam Dunk
With the NBA team’s return to its original Hornets name—and return to Charlotte following a 12 year run as the New Orleans Bobcats—retail sales of licensed merchandise for the team are up 77% so far this year over last, the team’s Peter Guelli tells The New York Times. At Fanatics, which manages most league and team website merchandise sales, Hornets merchandise is up fivefold … [Read more...] about Hornets’ Slam Dunk
Julius Pops Up
Saban Brands’ Paul Frank has opened a popup shop in the chic Paramount Hotel in New York. The outlet features apparel, sleepwear, accessories, and NYC-themed gifts. The location will be open through January 30, 2015. A charitable component benefits Covenant House, which serves homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth. … [Read more...] about Julius Pops Up
QSRs Embrace Licensing
“There was a time when chains feared that offering their food in supermarkets would keep consumers away from the restaurants,” notes QSR Magazine. “But that archaic notion has gone by the wayside as quick-service brands are increasingly finding a great deal of success offering some of their products at retail.” The article goes on to cite examples including Marie Callender’s … [Read more...] about QSRs Embrace Licensing