Bob Chapek, a 22-year Disney veteran, is moving from President of Disney Consumer Products to Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, effective immediately. While DCP has yet to name a successor, insiders believe that current executive VP of global licensing has the inside track. Kim Marie Song has been hired as National Strategic Sales Manager of MAC Group and will focus … [Read more...] about Who’s News
TLL
Japan: Licensing By Property Sector
Sluggish GDP growth and falling retail sales limited licensed retail sales in Japan to $10.1 billion in 2013, according to TLL's International Licensing Report. That’s a very modest growth rate. And projections for 2014 are not expected to be a whole lot better. Here’s an overview of licensing sales performance in Japan by property sector. Entertainment/Character: 39.1% Some … [Read more...] about Japan: Licensing By Property Sector
“Cinderella” Tie-In Campaigns Targets Women of All Generations
Women apparently never outgrow the desire to feel like a princess. At least that’s the message retailers JCPenney and Kohl’s are promoting as part of a multi-generational approach to tie-ins with Disney’s live-action “Cinderella,” which is due in theaters March 13. JCP created a commercial specifically for the Feb. 22 Academy Awards telecast showing a woman in several JCP … [Read more...] about “Cinderella” Tie-In Campaigns Targets Women of All Generations
Licensing of Entertainment Properties for Virtual Reality Products
Hollywood is getting into virtual reality. VR was all the rage at the Sundance Film Festival in January, where festival goers reportedly waited in line for hours to experience the VR flight simulator “Birdly.” And this was just one of almost a dozen VR displays at Sundance, most of which used the pricey and cutting edge Oculus Rift “head-mounted display” to create their … [Read more...] about Licensing of Entertainment Properties for Virtual Reality Products
Cosmetics Counter
Some cosmetics, skincare and fragrance deals backed by big names: Actress Eva Mendes is working with Maesa and Walgreen’s on an exclusive cosmetics line. The Circa line strives to appeal to a multicultural market, with 133 SKUs designed for a wide range of skin tones. Model Rosie Huntington-Whitely debuted her first fragrance, for British retailer Marks & Spencer. Rosie … [Read more...] about Cosmetics Counter
Marvel Back in Spidey Web
Sony Pictures will restyle the Spider-Man franchise in partnership with Marvel Studios, returning the web slinger to the Marvel universe. Sony has owned the movie rights to Spider-Man since 1999, when it bought them from Marvel (now owned by Disney). The deal is expected to produce a new Spidey film due in theaters in summer 2017. Before then, Spider-Man will appear in upcoming … [Read more...] about Marvel Back in Spidey Web
Time For Retail
Time Inc.’s fashion and beauty brands InStyle and Marie Claire are going to be spending a bit more time in the shops. JCPenney will open "The Salon by InStyle" in 15 test locations this summer, including flagship locations in Dallas and Los Angeles, before pursuing a nationwide rebranding of its 850 in-store salons next year. InStyle readers account for 9% of all beauty … [Read more...] about Time For Retail
Target Stocks Kinky Toys
Mainstream retailers including Target and Amazon got in the mood for the Fifty Shades of Grey movie’s Valentine’s weekend opening by stocking an unconventional variety of officially licensed merchandise tied to the sexually charged property. More power to them. If Americans buy lingerie at Costco, why not sex toys at Target? But blogs including Jezebel took Target to task … [Read more...] about Target Stocks Kinky Toys
Ralph Lauren Bucks the Buck
Conventional wisdom says that the strong dollar is making it harder to sell luxury fashion goods abroad. Or is it? Ralph Lauren reported weaker than expected third quarter earnings, but while U.S. sales flattened out, total growth in international sales revenues topped double-digits (in current currency), thanks to robust performances in both Europe and China. RL is taking … [Read more...] about Ralph Lauren Bucks the Buck
The 4 Toy Licensing Blockbuster Movies to Watch in 2015
“Frozen” was a licenser’s dream and a big reason that U.S. retail licensed toys sales grew 7% in 2014 ($5.7 billion), according to the NPD Group. But expectations for 2015 are even greater, thanks to a quartet of Hollywood blockbusters that have enormous potential for licensed toys and other merchandise. Here’s a rundown of each film by release date and the toy licensing … [Read more...] about The 4 Toy Licensing Blockbuster Movies to Watch in 2015