At $26.8 billion, corporate trademarks and brands accounted for 27% of all retail licensed sales in the U.S. and Canada in 2014, the most of any segment (followed by fashion at 20% and sports at 14%), according to The Licensing Letter's Annual Licensing Business Survey. But while it may be big, the corporate segment was also devoid of drama growing at a respectable but … [Read more...] about TLL Survey: Corporate Licensing Up 2% in 2014; Food/Beverage, Restaurant & Automotive Brands Lead the Way
TLL
New Era/MLB Player Embroidery Deal
The Major League Baseball Players Association extended its licensing agreement with Lids Sports Group granting the retailer rights to embroider the names, numbers and autographs (EmbroidiGraph) of MLB players on not only New Era MLB-licensed caps but also officially licensed t-shirts and jerseys. Lids currently operates 936 headwear specialty stores, 151 sports fan retail … [Read more...] about New Era/MLB Player Embroidery Deal
DreamWorks Line Pairs Toons & Designers
DreamWorks Animation has teamed with famous fashion designers for Character Clash, a limited edition apparel line featuring an iconic character from the world of comics and cartoons. The men’s line, unveiled during New York Fashion Week, includes t-shirts and hoodies pairing, among others, Felix the Cat/Timo Weiland, Underdog/Billy Reid, Richie Rich/Michael Bastian, Where’s … [Read more...] about DreamWorks Line Pairs Toons & Designers
Her Universe on TV
Lionsgate will launch the reality series “Her Universe Fashion Show” as the first original content on its Comic-Con International subscription streaming service next year. The show will follow contestants as they design outfits and plan to model them at Comic-Con next year. Her Universe, founded by actress Ashley Eckstein, who voices Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, … [Read more...] about Her Universe on TV
Collegiate Licensing
School may be out, but collegiate licensing never takes a vacation. Three major universities made new partnership deals: The University of Michigan signed Nike to replace Adidas as its official uniform, footwear, apparel and equipment sponsor starting on August 1, 2016. The deal, which runs to 2027 with renewal options through 2031, covers all 31 of Michigan's athletic … [Read more...] about Collegiate Licensing
TM Ruling Helps Licensing in China
In a landmark case, Chinese officials recently allowed a foreign company, fashion designer Michael Bastian, to block a third-party squatter from stealing its trademark. No foreigner had ever won one of these cases in China, but after five years of litigation, the Chinese Trade and Arbitration Board rejected the squatter's registration of the "Michael Bastian" mark, finding it … [Read more...] about TM Ruling Helps Licensing in China
Perfume Artisans Eclipse Stars
The artisan trend is spilling over from food and beverage into fragrance as the combo of star power + big designer promotions that have historically driven fragrance sales appear to be losing some of their mojo. There are now hundreds of artisan perfumers turning out products to meet the desire for alternatives. Artisan perfume entrepreneurs include fashion bloggers with large … [Read more...] about Perfume Artisans Eclipse Stars
London Calling
British luxury retailer Liberty London is popping in for a visit at Nordstrom. The U.K. retailer’s Flowers of Liberty line of home décor, accessories, and gifts is available stateside for the first time through a “Pop-In Shop” at select Nordstrom stores and online at Nordstrom.com/popin. The bloom-bedecked tea towels, oven mitts, candles, friendship bracelets and more will be … [Read more...] about London Calling
NASCAR Green Flags TV Series
Photo: NASCAR. Mark Burnet, Roma Downey, and Zane Stoddar. NASCAR has signed Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, producers of the miniseries The Bible and A.D.: The Bible Continues, to create a scripted TV series set in the world of auto racing. NASCAR could use a jump off the starting line. TV ratings and race attendance are down. Licensed sales of drivers and team merchandise … [Read more...] about NASCAR Green Flags TV Series
Mixed Bag for Retail
Retail sales in June were down 0.2% month-to-month but up a robust 3.1% year-over-year. Breakdown: Retail Sales, by Store Type Data: U.S. Census Retail Sales Store Type Month-to-Month (seasonally adjusted) Year-over-Year (unadjusted) Furniture & home furnishings -2% 7% Sporting goods 0% 9% Clothing & accessories -2% 3% Non-Store 0% 7% … [Read more...] about Mixed Bag for Retail