The Toy Industry Association is changing its name, logo, offices, and mission to "align with the way the toy industry is changing and shifting." As part of its expanding presence on the world stage, the newly-dubbed Toy Association is expanding its core services and embarking on new ventures: Play Fair, a large-scale kid and family business-to-consumer event; … [Read more...] about Toy Industry Wrap-Up
Retailers
M&A Shorts
In an interview with Bloomberg, Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam reveals that the company is open to M&A talks with companies like CBS, Comcast, and Disney—in other words, a deal similar to the AT&T/Time Warner merger. MG Retailer reports that the average cannabis dispensary generates 2–3% of total revenue from sales of accessories and merchandise. The hottest items? Bob … [Read more...] about M&A Shorts
M&A & Legal
Mattel Creations appoints ProjectFirst and Little Dot Studios to manage its AVOD platforms and grow channel subscribers for its brands in Russia and France, respectively. Spin Master sues Chinese manufacturer, Dongguan Moral Region Co. Ltd., for an alleged patent infringement against its Hatchimals toy. MCM Comic Con owner, MCM Central, takes a major stake in children’s … [Read more...] about M&A & Legal
Discounters & Ecommerce Grow Licensed Distribution
Ecommerce is on the mind for this year's batch of respondants to TLL’s Annual Licensing Business Survey. The distribution channel siezed its biggest share of the licensing pie yet, growing to 11.7% market share in 2016 in the U.S. and Canada. Ecommerce growth was the highest amongst all retail categories for sales of licensed merchandise at a modest 2.6%—most categories … [Read more...] about Discounters & Ecommerce Grow Licensed Distribution
Soft Book Sales as the World Celebrates Reading
To mark the 20th anniversary of Read Across America (or World Book Day in the rest of the world), children around the world dressed up as their favorite publishing-based characters. The holiday is also known as Dr. Seuss Day in honor of American writer Theodore Seuss Geisel, whose birthday falls on March 2nd. The Roald Dahl Literary Estate launched Roald Dahl’s Imaginormous … [Read more...] about Soft Book Sales as the World Celebrates Reading
Valentine’s Day Goes to the Dogs
This Valentine's Day, consumers are expected to show less love at retail, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). Following a decade-long trend of increased retail sales, U.S. consumers are expected to spend an average of $136.57 for a total of $18.2 billion—down from 2016’s record-high of $146.84 and $19.7 billion, respectively. The number of people surveyed who … [Read more...] about Valentine’s Day Goes to the Dogs
M&A & Marketing
Disney looks to raise its ownership stake in Disneyland Paris to 85.7% after cutting a deal to buy the interest held by another Euro Disney investor, Kingdom Holding Co. The company plans to buy out remaining shares and invest up to $1.6 billion in the park to improve conditions, which has been struggling with attendance figures following the Nov. 2015 terrorist attacks in … [Read more...] about M&A & Marketing
M&A & Marketing
Disney looks to raise its ownership stake in Disneyland Paris to 85.7% after cutting a deal to buy the interest held by another Euro Disney investor, Kingdom Holding Co. The company plans to buy out remaining shares and invest up to $1.6 billion in the park to improve conditions, which has been struggling with attendance figures following the Nov. 2015 terrorist attacks in … [Read more...] about M&A & Marketing
Retailer Showdown
Over 100 retailers are joining forces to fight against a proposed U.S. tax on imports, aiming to sway both federal lawmakers and American consumers. The Americans for Affordable Products coalition includes The Retail Industry Leaders Association and more than 120 other trade groups. The proposed corporate tax reform is meant to reward companies that sell products outside the … [Read more...] about Retailer Showdown
Deals in Short
As always, see the complete list of deals from this last week here. In Japan, a Betty Boop-branded diner opens in Japan through a deal brokered with Food Business Consultant Inc. (FBC) by licensor King Features’ Japanese agent, Copyrights Asia. The location plans to feature merch and special holiday events in the '50s-esque eatery. WildBrain is appointed as the exclusive … [Read more...] about Deals in Short