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
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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
Westbrook Fragrance Courts Men and Women
By Marcy Magiera Add Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook to the list of celebrities hoping to revive the licensed fragrance business. Byredo Westbrook Eau de Parfum, from Swedish fragrance house Byredo Parfums, is a unisex scent staking out the high end of the market. An 8-ounce bottle, available exclusively at Barneys New York, is $350. Westbrook, who is known … [Read more...] about Westbrook Fragrance Courts Men and Women
New Vans Design Says Skate, Don’t Smoke
By Marcy Magiera VF Corp.'s venerable Vans skateboarding brand is teaming with truth, a national youth smoking prevention campaign, for Vans x truth, a limited line of shoes and apparel intended to drive home the dangers of smoking and the more fun alternatives. The line features Vans Authentics shoes, a T-shirt and hat, priced from $26 to $60. Austin, Texas-based designer … [Read more...] about New Vans Design Says Skate, Don’t Smoke
Poll Says Dug From ‘Up’ is Entertainment’s Top Dog
By Marcy Magiera Cats may have taken center screen for most of the YouTube era (think Grumpy Cat, Pusheen, Venus the "Chimera Cat" and Colonel Meow), but Americans still love their dogs. Market researcher E-Poll surveyed kids and adults ahead of "National Dog Day" (Aug. 26) to come up with Americans' favorite canine entertainment characters. The most-liked dog among both groups … [Read more...] about Poll Says Dug From ‘Up’ is Entertainment’s Top Dog
Disney Rallies Fans for Properties in Licensing Pipeline
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. Disney used its D23 fan expo—a sort of single company Comic-Con where the largest presentations were delivered to an audience of 7,500 (even more people than can be seated in Comic-Con's Hall H at the San Diego Convention Center)—to deliver updates on and promotions for most of the films in its licensed products pipeline. Included at D23, held Aug. 14-16 … [Read more...] about Disney Rallies Fans for Properties in Licensing Pipeline
Mattel Turns to Crowdsourcing for American Girl Rollout
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. Mattel's two newest American Girl period dolls, Maryellen Larkin (from the 1950s) and Julie Albright (1970s), hit shelves on August 27. After successfully collaborating on a 70th anniversary YouTube documentary for Thomas the Tank Engine, Mattel has once more turned to crowdsourcing studio Tongal for help with the American Girl launch. The goal is to … [Read more...] about Mattel Turns to Crowdsourcing for American Girl Rollout
The Force is Flowing to Disney Theme Parks
By Marcy Magiera The Disney kingdom may have been started by a Mouse, but the biggest news out of the company's D23 fan convention suggests that the theme park realm is now steered by a more celestial Force. The Star Wars franchise, which will next blast into theaters Dec. 18 with the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, took center stage at Disney's expo in Anaheim, … [Read more...] about The Force is Flowing to Disney Theme Parks