Contact the editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com Crayola and Bulu Inc. launch new Create It Yourself (CIY) monthly subscription boxes, based in part on its YouTube series. Each branded box contains supplies for two premium craft projects, including a how-to guide, a bonus crafting challenge, and unique surprises, gifts, and coupons. Penguin Ventures collaborates with Le … [Read more...] about Experiential & Partnerships Roundup: Worldwide
Retailers
Experiential, Social & Retail: Updates
Contact the editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com. Dr. Seuss Enterprises and its licensed partners are celebrating the graduation season with Oh, the Places You’ll Go!—for graduates young and old, rich and poor, silly and smart—with the book from Random House, a gift line from Hallmark, a Walgreens program with Vandor, and tumblers from Tervis. Funko adopts the home field of … [Read more...] about Experiential, Social & Retail: Updates
The Boom of Private Label: Why DTR Licensing is Crucial to Retailer Success
By Yizan He, Founder & CEO of Alfilo Brands, www.alfilo.com. Note from the editor: Just under half (43%) of respondents to TLL's Licensing Business Survey said that the incidence of direct-to-retail (DTR) deals increased in 2018 compared to the previous year. A roughly equal share said that the number stayed the same or decreased (17% each; the remaining 22% indicated they … [Read more...] about The Boom of Private Label: Why DTR Licensing is Crucial to Retailer Success
On Notice: Sportswear, Organics & Bankruptcy Updates
Contact the editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com Puma's latest sneaker designs are coming under fire from In-N-Out Burger in a trademark lawsuit, with the fast-food restaurant alleging "essentially identical" elements like palm tree motifs as well as contrasting red and yellow accents in its Cali-0 Drive Thru and California Drive Thru CC shoes "causing consumers to … [Read more...] about On Notice: Sportswear, Organics & Bankruptcy Updates
M&A: New Faces, Same Places
Contact the editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com Penske Media Corp. (PMC) purchases the last remaining 49% stake in Rolling Stone from BandLab Technologies, giving it full ownership over the magazine brand, including all event and licensing rights, as well as the parallel entity Rolling Stone Intl. Other PMC properties available for licensing include Variety, Deadline … [Read more...] about M&A: New Faces, Same Places
2019 U.S. Retail Growth Forecast Rosy; But Not Without Challenges
Contact the editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com This year's batch of respondents to TLL's Annual Licensing Business Survey agree with the experts: the U.S. economy is good for business in 2019. But uncertainty threatens to tank that rosy optimism. Half of the respondents to the 2018-19 Annual Survey—just under 50%—say that their licensing business will improve in 2019, … [Read more...] about 2019 U.S. Retail Growth Forecast Rosy; But Not Without Challenges
Legal Updates: Netflix/Chooseco, Rihanna, Sears & More
Contact the editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com Indie publisher Chooseco files suit against Netflix in federal court alleging infringement of its "Choose Your Own Adventure" trademark, which is used on the classic interactive children’s book series. Chooseco alleges that Netflix failed to license its use in the streamer's latest interactive feature, Black Mirror: … [Read more...] about Legal Updates: Netflix/Chooseco, Rihanna, Sears & More
Licensed Trademark/Brand-based Ecommerce Sales Jump 5.8% in 2017
By: Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com Discounters, supermarkets/grocery, and ecommerce made the biggest gains in share of licensed retail sales in 2017 in the U.S./Canada, according to TLL's Annual Licensing Business Survey. Licensed retail sales of corporate trademark/brand merchandise grew 2.5% to reach $29.2 billion in 2017 within the U.S./Canada. A large part … [Read more...] about Licensed Trademark/Brand-based Ecommerce Sales Jump 5.8% in 2017
Store Check: Holiday 2018 at Rockefeller Center
Contact the Editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com. FAO Schwarz has returned to New York City with a brand new flagship store at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The toy store spans 2.5 levels with over 20,000 sq. ft. of FAO's signature toys, interactive experiences, and themed partner areas. In addition to holiday exclusives, the store's collaboration with specialty candy retailer … [Read more...] about Store Check: Holiday 2018 at Rockefeller Center
Specialty, Mid-Tier & Ecommerce Drive 2017 Licensed U.S./Canada Fashion Sales
Contact the Editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com. Retail sales of licensed merchandise based on fashion properties in the U.S./Canada grew 1.5% to reach $21,776 million in 2017, per TLL’s Annual Licensing Business Survey. On the distribution side, the fastest-growing channel in 2017 for the U.S./Canada was ecommerce at 4.3% growth. Unlike most of the other five major … [Read more...] about Specialty, Mid-Tier & Ecommerce Drive 2017 Licensed U.S./Canada Fashion Sales