By Glenn Demby Global sales of licensed fashion goods grew 2.4% in 2014, according to TLL's 2015 Licensing Business DataBook. Only two segments grew more: entertainment/character (4.8%) and sports (3.4%). At $37.9 billion, fashion accounted for 23.8% of all worldwide licensed sales, most of any segment (followed by corporate trademark at 21.7%). TLL Survey respondents cited … [Read more...] about Global Fashion Sales Grow 2.4% in 2014
TLL
Betty Boop Undies, E-Store
It’s been a busy summer for Betty Boop and her owner King Features. In July, King announced a partnership with Grupo Cortefiel on a Betty Boop clothing and lingerie collection to be sold at the Spanish retailer’s Women’s Secret stores in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia. A few weeks later, King partnered with e-tail operator Myatt to open the first official … [Read more...] about Betty Boop Undies, E-Store
Penguin Books Clangers for U.S.
Penguin, the worldwide master publishing licensing partner of Clangers, will now take the British property to North America. The latest deal, brokered by Coolabi Group, gives Penguin Group U.S. the right to publish a Clangers picture book and audio CD recording narrated by TV and pop icon William Shatner in the U.S. and Canada. The expected release date is fall 2016. Other … [Read more...] about Penguin Books Clangers for U.S.
DraftKings Plays Ball With MLB Clubs
DraftKings, the official daily fantasy sports partner of MLB, cut a separate deal with 27 of the League’s 30 clubs that will allow users to get exclusive content on the DraftKings iPhone app and integration with MLB’s own At Bat app. The Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks and Toronto Blue Jays are the only clubs that aren’t participating because their states/province treat … [Read more...] about DraftKings Plays Ball With MLB Clubs
Brady Wins Again
Deflategate has apparently not taken the air out of Tom Brady’s popularity. For the first time ever, the New England QB with the four Super Bowl rings and four-week suspension topped the NFLPA’s list of best-selling players for licensed merchandise. As usual, QBs dominated the list, which covers physical and online sales of game jerseys and off-field apparel, accessories, … [Read more...] about Brady Wins Again
Who’s News
Neil Cole steps down as Chairman & CEO of Iconix Brand Group and is succeeded by board member Peter Cuneo on an interim basis. Cole is staying on with Iconix as a special advisor through Sept. 30. Andy Comer is named VP Creative Services for Tommy Bahama and will develop brand strategies across all channels including licensing, wholesale, retail, e-commerce and … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Lego Robotic Arm Takes Build-Your-Own Toys to the Next Level
The trend is to make dynamic and adaptable toys that kids can fashion any way they want. Ironically, the purest example of the modern build-your-own trend is the venerable Lego building block. For Lego, build-your-own is not fad but DNA. And now Lego has extended the approach to the field of prosthetics. It began a few years ago, when Lego Future Lab, the company’s R&D … [Read more...] about Lego Robotic Arm Takes Build-Your-Own Toys to the Next Level
Celebrity-Licensed Perfumes Seek to Reinvigorate Slumping Market
The past 12 months have been less than sweet smelling for sales of celebrity-licensed fragrances, but that isn’t deterring companies from bringing new celebrity brands to the already crowded mass market. New Celebrity Fragrances in the Pipeline Parlux Fragrances, a division of specialty and online retailer Perfumania Holdings, is going all in this fall, when it will bring to … [Read more...] about Celebrity-Licensed Perfumes Seek to Reinvigorate Slumping Market
From “Billy Beer” to “Duff’s”: Licensed Beer Branding Comes of Age
Sales of food and beverage products based on licensed properties in the U.S. and Canada grew 6.0% in 2014, third highest of any product category behind only toys/games (7.0%) and apparel (6.5%). At just over $10.1 billion in sales, the food and beverage category now constitutes 10% of the total market. Frozen foods still rule the licensed food roost but adult beverages are … [Read more...] about From “Billy Beer” to “Duff’s”: Licensed Beer Branding Comes of Age
As YouTube Celebrities Gain Influence over Teens, Their Licensing Clout Is Bound to Grow
YouTube stars continue to gain influence over U.S. teens, with the platform’s top creators viewed as much more approachable, authentic and engaging than mainstream celebrities. From a licensing perspective, many of the video platform’s top creators actually have a smaller footprint than their tens of millions of subscribers suggest, and have yet to move beyond the online … [Read more...] about As YouTube Celebrities Gain Influence over Teens, Their Licensing Clout Is Bound to Grow