By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Super Bowl XL certainly generated its share of controversy, including the debate over the half-time show featuring Bad Bunny and a catastrophic game for the New England Patriots, but for the licensing industry, the big news was the cancellation of a licensing deal between Amazon's Ring platform and Flock Safety. The backlash from a … [Read more...] about Amazon Ends Ring-Flock Safety Partnership After Super Bowl Ad Backlash
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Spin Master Wins TOTY Toy of the Year, Bluey Named Top Toy License
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter The toy industry celebrated its most innovative products at the 2026 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards on Tuesday evening. The event also raised more than $1 million for The Toy Foundation, which delivers play to children in need. Nearly 800 toy and play professionals gathered at Pier Sixty in New York City for the annual gala, themed … [Read more...] about Spin Master Wins TOTY Toy of the Year, Bluey Named Top Toy License
Spiralcute Appoints New Leadership Team to Drive Global Expansion
By Allison Watkinson TLL Editor in Chief The award-winning Japanese character management agency Spiralcute has appointed a new senior leadership team to oversee its expanding global operations. The international team will be led by Kate Schlomann (pictured above, right), who will report to Taro Morishima, Chief Executive Officer and President of Spiralcute … [Read more...] about Spiralcute Appoints New Leadership Team to Drive Global Expansion
Kraft Heinz Pauses Split As CEO Insists Problems Are ‘Fixable
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief U.S. food giant Kraft Heinz has halted its plans to split the mammoth corporation into separate companies. CEO Steve Cahillane announced the changes, saying the pause is necessary due to deteriorating market conditions in the food industry as a whole. However, Cahillane also insists the problems are "fixable and within our control." Kraft … [Read more...] about Kraft Heinz Pauses Split As CEO Insists Problems Are ‘Fixable
Grocers Risk Alienating Shoppers with Overt GLP-1 Labelling, Analyst Warns
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The rapid appearance of GLP-1-inspired ready meals on UK supermarket shelves this January has drawn comparisons to past trend-chasing moments, and a caution from retail analysts that grocers may be squandering a larger, more durable opportunity by marketing too narrowly. "Grocers must expand GLP-1-inspired ranges to highlight the … [Read more...] about Grocers Risk Alienating Shoppers with Overt GLP-1 Labelling, Analyst Warns
Tina Turner Honored on New Themed Jerseys for St Louis CITY SC
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter The St. Louis CITY SC soccer club will hit the field wearing new jerseys that are 'better than all the rest' this season. That's because the club's new jersey will honor the St. Louis musical superstar Tina Turner, one of the most popular female performers of all time. The team just unveiled the limited-edition soccer jersey, … [Read more...] about Tina Turner Honored on New Themed Jerseys for St Louis CITY SC
The Brand Liaison Appointed Licensing Agency for Dorel Juvenile Group
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Dorel Juvenile Group says its engaged The Brand Liaison to guide a “major strategic shift” in its brand expansion strategy. Dorel is among the largest manufacturers of juvenile products and owner of several top brands, like Safety 1st and Cosco Kids. Dorel says The Brand Liaison will be focusing on finding new strategic partners for … [Read more...] about The Brand Liaison Appointed Licensing Agency for Dorel Juvenile Group
Sony Pictures Launches Massive Licensing Program for GOAT
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Sony Pictures is hoping its licensing program for the animated film GOAT will also be the GOAT, or in other words, the Greatest Of All Time. Sony Pictures Consumer Products says it's pulled out all the stops with a broad licensing and merchandising program timed to the theatrical release of GOAT, the animated sports-comedy from Sony … [Read more...] about Sony Pictures Launches Massive Licensing Program for GOAT
The World Comes to Play at Toy Fair New York This Weekend
Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter The America's largest trade show for the toy industry gets underway this weekend, with hundreds of creative toy companies showing their wares at the 120th annual Toy Fair. The annual event, produced by The Toy Association starts this Saturday, February 14, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a parade of costumed mascots from various … [Read more...] about The World Comes to Play at Toy Fair New York This Weekend
Mattel to Acquire Full Ownership of Games Studio Mattel163 for $159 Million
TLL Staff Toymaker Mattel is going all in on mobile gaming, as it moves to acquire full ownership of the games studio Mattel163. The studio is currently a joint venture between Mattel and the Chinese internet software giant NetEase, which owns 50% of Mattel163. Mattel, Inc. announced Tuesday it has reached an agreement to acquire full ownership of Mattel163 in a deal that … [Read more...] about Mattel to Acquire Full Ownership of Games Studio Mattel163 for $159 Million