Articles

Licensed characters are found on a range of products specific to Asia, from foods to Chinese New Year products and décor. The latter are ubiquitous in stores here now, leading up to the start of the Year of the Horse at the end of the month. This money envelope features LINE Friends, characters licensed by the Japanese social networking and text messaging company LINE. LINE … [Read more...] about Asia-specific Licensed Products Lead Up to Chinese New Year

Japanese characters are ubiquitous in shops in Hong Kong, as illustrated by this display of erasers, seen in a small stationery and book shop near Victoria Park on Hong Kong Island. In general, Hello Kitty is dominant on store shelves and in the markets, followed closely by Rilakkuma (shown at the bottom of the photo), Doraemon (the blue cat), and other Sanrio characters (not … [Read more...] about Beyond Hello Kitty

Indonesia is poised to be the next growth market in Asia, or “the next Brazil,” as one speaker called it at the 3rd annual Asian Licensing Conference, which runs in conjunction with the Hong Kong Licensing Show this week. While still small in terms of retail sales of licensed goods -- $57 million in 2012, up 8.1% over 2011, according to International Licensing: A Status Report … [Read more...] about Indonesia as the ‘Next Brazil’

When you think of direct-to-retail and retail-exclusive licensing, your mind probably goes to key players such as Walmart, Target, or Kohl's, or category-specific examples such as Michael's or Bed Bath & Beyond. But more retail chains have been entering the fray. In fact, many of the DTR and retail-exclusive licensing ventures that have come to light in the last couple of … [Read more...] about Licensed Exclusives Move Beyond the Usual Suspects

If past episodes of misbehavior (as some see it) or hate speech (as others see it) or free speech (as still others perceive it) are indicative, here are possible scenarios for Duck Dynasty's licensing program in the wake of Phil Robertson's now infamous GQ interview: Full supporters, whose opinions align with Robertson's, might be inclined to purchase more merchandise; … [Read more...] about Publisher’s Note: If The Duck Calls…

While newspapers are struggling to survive in the digital age, classic newspaper comic strips are living on in the physical world through licensed products. Licensors that have appointed licensing agents in the second half of this year include Trinity Mirror, which signed Lisle International Licensing for representation of Andy Capp in the U.K. market, and John Hart Studios, … [Read more...] about Classic Comic Strips Live on Through Active Licensing Programs

If you were thinking that the market for chef-licensed merchandise was saturated, a raft of new deals and new product introductions in the last three months may make you reconsider: Padma Lakshmi, cookbook author and host of "Top Chef," launched a tabletop collection of porcelain and glassware at Bloomingdale's with licensee Prima Designs. Ming Tsai, star of the public … [Read more...] about More Chefs Introduce Licensed Lines Across Retail Channels

Over the last month or so of 2013, our standard question to licensing executives we spoke with was: "If there was one thing you'd like to see change about licensing in 2014, what would it be?" The good news is, there seem to be no new problems. The challenges continue to be: Contracting retail shelf space. Lack of risk-taking. "I would love for both licensors and … [Read more...] about 14 Trends for ’14: Familiar Challenges, but Business Reflects Creative Integration, Fresh Approaches

European football (soccer) clubs have been expanding their licensing activities over the past two to three years, including in markets outside their home territories. The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), the governing body of European football, has qualified 237 clubs from 54 countries for its 2013/2014 club competitions, but most of the clubs with the broadest … [Read more...] about Euro Football Clubs’ Goal: More Licensing at Home and Abroad

The 2014 Consumer Electronics Show began this morning in Las Vegas with a flurry of licensed product introductions. Among the more interesting: Wireless speaker manufacturer Pure is offering new wireless speakers under license from Pantone and featuring 2014 Pantone colors such as Dazzling Blue and Radiant Orchid. Roku, known for small, purple streaming media boxes, is … [Read more...] about Licensing At CES