Life magazine, that is. Life and venerable home goods marketer Laura Ashley are among the brands entering licensing agreements for pet products. Life has signed licensee GHS Studio to make pet beds and bean bags, while Laura Ashley teamed with Unique Petz for a full line of items including leashes, furniture covers, kennels, carriers, toys, and more. Americans spent an … [Read more...] about It’s a Dog’s Life
TLL
Disney Opens 15 Week Merchandise Window for Star Wars
By Marcy Magiera When The Licensing Letter spoke to entertainment executives for our Annual Licensing Business Survey back in the spring, several sources predicted that movie-based licensed merchandise this fall would begin to appear in stores earlier than ever, with end-of-year movies loading merchandise into stores as soon as September. The expected leader of that trend: … [Read more...] about Disney Opens 15 Week Merchandise Window for Star Wars
Which Tennis Star Is More Marketable?
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. Two female tennis players have been rivals for nearly a decade. Although both are popular, one player makes twice as much in annual endorsements. Player A is a 33-year-old American who has: Won 67 career singles titles Won 21 career Grand Slam singles titles, second most for any woman all-time Won 13 career Grand Slam doubles titles Beaten Player B in … [Read more...] about Which Tennis Star Is More Marketable?
Tennis Star Andy Murray Dons Adidas after Signing with Under Armour
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. Andy Murray easily won his first round U.S. Open match the other night. But if the result was predictable, the footwear was anything but. Murray wore Adidas—this after signing a shoe deal with Under Armour in December. Shades of Raymond Weil brand ambassador Charlize Theron in a Christian Dior watch? Or Jessica Simpson's dissing her own "JS" brand … [Read more...] about Tennis Star Andy Murray Dons Adidas after Signing with Under Armour
National Grocery Brands Rebound
By Marcy Magiera The recession and its aftermath in the past five years have helped increase the appeal of store brands for grocery shoppers, but now that the economy is building strength (the stock market turmoil of the past month notwithstanding), consumers are once again beginning to see store brands as less desirable, signaling a renewed opportunity for national brands, … [Read more...] about National Grocery Brands Rebound
Olsen Twins Bring Secondary Fashion Label In-House
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. Although the "overworked intern" lawsuit is getting all the headlines*, the business move the Olsen twins just made may be a lot more significant in the long-term. Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen have decided to bring their Elizabeth & James fashion brand in-house. The Olsens launched Elizabeth & James in 2007 as a contemporary spinoff of "The Row," … [Read more...] about Olsen Twins Bring Secondary Fashion Label In-House
EA Brings Bruce Lee Back to Life for UFC Mobile Game
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. With apologies to the great Ronda Rousey, the biggest star in the EA Sports UFC Mobile game roster may just be a fighter who never even set foot in a UFC octagon—or anywhere else in the last 32 years for that matter. A game feature lets users play as Bruce Lee in four weight divisions. EA is also running a promotion through September 3 allowing users to … [Read more...] about EA Brings Bruce Lee Back to Life for UFC Mobile Game
Who’s News
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. Michael Francis is stepping down as Chief Global Brand Officer of DreamWorksAnimation in December and current Head of Global Consumer Products Jim Fielding will oversee licensing going forward. After a 6-month search, Snapchat hires former Mattel executive Drew Vollero as VP of finance and acting CFO. Jeff Baker steps down as EVP of Warner Bros. … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Overview of the Wearable Technology Licensing Market
Much of the wearable computing technology that stole the spotlight at the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week, including Google Glass and Apple's highly anticipated Apple Watch, are licensed products forged as a result of the partnership between technology and fashion brands. The Prospects The wearables category actually emerged at the 2014 CES. … [Read more...] about Overview of the Wearable Technology Licensing Market
Japanese Phenomenon Poised to Enter U.S. Market
By Marcy Magiera Yo-kai Watch is arguably the hottest kids' property in Japan. Now the franchise, about a young boy who uses a special watch to summon spirits who are causing pesky problems for people, is about to hit the U.S. In November, Nintendo will launch a Yo-kai Watch game for its handheld 3DS, about the same time that Viz Media's Perfect Square imprint will introduce … [Read more...] about Japanese Phenomenon Poised to Enter U.S. Market