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
TLL
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
Iconix’s Cole Resigns from the Company He Founded
By Glenn Demby Neil Cole is stepping down as chairman, president and CEO of Iconix Brand Group Inc., the company he founded 10 years ago. He will remain on as a special adviser through September 30. Meanwhile, board member Peter Cuneo will succeed Cole as chairman and CEO on an interim basis. The announcement of Cole's departure added to what has already been a hectic … [Read more...] about Iconix’s Cole Resigns from the Company He Founded
American Eagle Eyes Global Licensing
By Glenn Demby American Eagle Outfitters holds only 1.16% of the U.S. apparel market, according to Forbes, and its share is growing none too fast. Faced with a saturated and mature market at home, Eagle is looking to grow by signing licensing agreements abroad. Eagle, which currently has 111 licensed stores in 17 countries and earns 12% of its total revenues abroad (as compared … [Read more...] about American Eagle Eyes Global Licensing
What’s Hot & What’s Not in 2015 Licensed Entertainment Property Sales
By Glenn Demby 'Tis the season for corporate earnings reports. Highlights from major entertainment licensors Disney, DreamWorks and Time Warner: Hot: Disney's consumer products division which grew 6% to $954 million Not Hot: Spider-Man which was actually down for the quarter Hot: The Avengers, Frozen and Star Wars which drove growth in Disney consumer products Not … [Read more...] about What’s Hot & What’s Not in 2015 Licensed Entertainment Property Sales