The leading bidder for collegiate sports marketing agency Learfield Communications is now TPG Capital. As the majority stake owner of CAA, TPG plans to merge the two agencies if its rumored $1.2–1.3 billion bid is successful. UBM, LIMA, and Alifish—the licensing and entertainment business unit of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba—join forces. In addition to online licensing … [Read more...] about Mergers & Acquisitions
TLL
Who’s News
NBCUniversal Brand Development names Jonathan Baker as its new VP EMEA NBCUniversal Consumer Products and Hannah Mungo as Country Director U.K. & Ireland NBCUniversal Consumer Products. The entertainment giant has established new regional offices in both Japan and China, as well as the newly created EMEA central office in London. Beginning Jan. 1, 2017, NBCUniversal is … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Deal Sheet — 10/12/2016
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 Game of Thrones Dark Horse ComicsSnow globes HBO Jones New … [Read more...] about Deal Sheet — 10/12/2016
Halloween Spending Up; Entertainment Tops Costume Choices
By Karina Masolova Halloween spending is expected to reach an all-time high this year, according to the National Retail Foundation (NRF)'s Halloween Spending Survey; total spending is expected to reach $8.4 billion, up 21.7% from $6.9 billion in 2015. The last time sales came close was in 2012, at a previous high of $8.0 billion. Over 171 million Americans expected to celebrate … [Read more...] about Halloween Spending Up; Entertainment Tops Costume Choices
Demographics of the Licensing Industry: U.S. Leads the Pack
TLL crunched the numbers from Licensing Source Book Online—and, surprise, the U.S./Canada leads with 66% of licensing executives. Europe comes second at 22.8% and Asia third at 6.5% share. See our latest update with licensors and licensees by cateogory below. Share of Licensing Executives, Worldwide, Sept. 2016 Note: Numbers may not add up exactly due to rounding. Data … [Read more...] about Demographics of the Licensing Industry: U.S. Leads the Pack
Mergers & Acquisitions
Toys 'R' Us sells the FAO Schwarz brand to California-based toy manufacturer and distributor ThreeSixty Group. ThreeSixty will develop FAO Schwarz-branded toys and retail experiences, to launch next fall. Target partners with Alibaba to sell goods in China via the Tmall ecommerce marketplace. Viacom's Board of Directors forms a Special Committee of Independent Directors to … [Read more...] about Mergers & Acquisitions
Trump, Hilary, and… Cannabis?
By Karina Masolova With election day fast approaching, there's another vote Americans are preparing to make. Nine states have ballot measures for cannabis legalization—a sector worth $60–100 million in licensed retail sales in 2015, according to TLL estimates. Although we've reported on the state of licensed cannabis products and accessories throughout the year—with 2016 … [Read more...] about Trump, Hilary, and… Cannabis?
Deal Sheet — 10/5/2016
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 Avanti DanDee Intl.Animatronic toys, gifts & novelties, … [Read more...] about Deal Sheet — 10/5/2016
Preschool: A Passport to the Worldwide Market
By Karina Masolova As one of the first categories in which properties originating outside the U.S. became part of global culture, the worldwide preschool sector essentially provides licensors with a passport to the global licensed consumer products market. The trend is only accelerating as the over-$10 billion market for licensed preschool products expands. See the complete … [Read more...] about Preschool: A Passport to the Worldwide Market
Celebrating Coffee With Food
By Marcy Magiera To celebrate National Coffee Day, Dunkin' Brands Group announced that it will launch a Dunkin' Donuts branded ready-to-drink coffee line in early 2017. The new products, to be manufactured and distributed by The Coca-Cola Co., will strengthen Dunkin' Donuts' position as a coffee authority and extend the brand into new distribution channels, the company … [Read more...] about Celebrating Coffee With Food