The Licensing Letter

TLL

To Join, or Not to Join: Amazon’s Retail Takeover

While some brands are embracing the Amazon marketplace, others are waging war against the ecommerce giant. Brands must make a choice: Deal with the black and/or grey markets, or else become part of the white market. Online/ecommerce grew in distribution channel share by three-tenths of a percentage point last year to reach 11.7% of all licensed sales in the U.S./Canada—or … [Read more...] about To Join, or Not to Join: Amazon’s Retail Takeover

56% of Upcoming Films are Reboots, Sequels

TLL has added even more films to our ongoing list of planned films with licensing potential—now totaling 159 titles through 2025. Note that although all of the release dates for movies on the list have been checked against multiple sources, there is still a probability dates will change. The further in the future a film is, the more likely its release date is to move. Just … [Read more...] about 56% of Upcoming Films are Reboots, Sequels

Sports Up 4.3% in 2016 to Reach $15.4 Billion in Sales

For the third year in a row, sports is the second-strongest property type with 4.3% growth in 2016, according to TLL’s Annual Licensing Business Survey. Retail sales of licensed sports-based merchandise reached $15.4 billion in 2016, up from $14.79 in 2015. Collegiate is also enjoying strong traction at 2.5% growth, reaching $3.5 billion in sales. The 4.3% increase surpassed … [Read more...] about Sports Up 4.3% in 2016 to Reach $15.4 Billion in Sales

Roundup: Promotional Partnerships

Real Madrid's official console partner is Xbox. To celebrate, Xbox will host a series of events at Microsoft Stores throughout the U.S. during Real Madrid’s U.S. Summer Tour. Betty Boop is the new face of Foulbi Co., Ltd.'s J-esthetic—over 100 esthetic salons and day spas. The campaign includes a commercial as well as print and digital ads. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. … [Read more...] about Roundup: Promotional Partnerships

Mergers & Acquisitions

Phoenix Asset Management increases its stake in Hornby Hobbies to over 70% after increasing its stake to over 50% last month. Italian toy manufacturer Giochi Preziosi sells its 50% stake in Prenatal Retail Group to Artsana, giving Artsana full ownership of European retail brands brands Toy Centre, King Jouet, Prenatal, and Bimbostore. The deal is estimated to be worth 105 … [Read more...] about Mergers & Acquisitions

Deal Sheet — 7/26/2017

Quick Navigate Properties Available or Recently Assigned, U.S. Licenses Recently Granted, U.S. Intl. Properties Available or Recently Assigned Intl. Licenses Recently Granted Archived Deal Sheets   Licenses Recently Granted, U.S. *Extension or renewal. PropertyGranted ToProducts ManufacturedGranted By B.U.M. Equipment Urban OutfittersApparel B.U.M. … [Read more...] about Deal Sheet — 7/26/2017

Licensing Execs Report Greater Hours, Higher Pay

Licensing professionals are experienced, satisfied, and putting in the hours, according to The Licensing Letter’s 2017 Salary Survey. Among the findings: Over half of respondents (55%) have been involved in licensing for 10 years or more, with another 31% having been in the business for five to ten years. Compared to last year's Survey, when over 55% of respondents had been … [Read more...] about Licensing Execs Report Greater Hours, Higher Pay

The State of Licensing In Mobile

Sanrio and Bandai Namco Entertainment team up for Hello Kitty ♥ PAC-MAN, a mobile game app and a limited edition merchandise collection including t-shirts, caps, socks, tote bags, pins, and collectible figures. SEGA Networks and WWE partner for WWE Tap Mania, a worldwide mobile game app that features a roster of past and present WWE Superstars facing off in the ring in … [Read more...] about The State of Licensing In Mobile

Deal Sheet — 7/19/2017

Quick Navigate Properties Available or Recently Assigned, U.S. Licenses Recently Granted, U.S. Intl. Properties Available or Recently Assigned Intl. Licenses Recently Granted Archived Deal Sheets   Licenses Recently Granted, U.S. *Extension or renewal. PropertyGranted ToProducts ManufacturedGranted By Captain America Roar BeveragesBeverages Disney Consumer … [Read more...] about Deal Sheet — 7/19/2017