The Licensing Letter

TLL

Top Trends for the $27-30 Billion Back-to-school Season

Here's what to expect from this year's back-to-school season. Rosy estimates place retail sales at their highest levels yet. This year's K-12 back-to-school season is expected to generate $27 billion in retail sales in the U.S., according to Deloitte. The season alone is estimated to generate 50% of all school-related spending for the year by 29 million households. Estimates … [Read more...] about Top Trends for the $27-30 Billion Back-to-school Season

The Fight Against Counterfeits

Epic Counters Fakes on Social Media Epic Rights partners with CounterFind to combat counterfeit merchandise and pave the way for online brand protection within the music industry. Its brands include KISS, AC/DC, Aerosmith, Billy Joel, and more. CounterFind’s software finds all ads marketing counterfeit on sites like Facebook and Instagram, then shuts them down in real time. … [Read more...] about The Fight Against Counterfeits

To Join, or Not to Join: Amazon’s Retail Takeover

While some brands are embracing the Amazon marketplace, others are waging war against the ecommerce giant. Brands must make a choice: Deal with the black and/or grey markets, or else become part of the white market. Online/ecommerce grew in distribution channel share by three-tenths of a percentage point last year to reach 11.7% of all licensed sales in the U.S./Canada—or … [Read more...] about To Join, or Not to Join: Amazon’s Retail Takeover

56% of Upcoming Films are Reboots, Sequels

TLL has added even more films to our ongoing list of planned films with licensing potential—now totaling 159 titles through 2025. Note that although all of the release dates for movies on the list have been checked against multiple sources, there is still a probability dates will change. The further in the future a film is, the more likely its release date is to move. Just … [Read more...] about 56% of Upcoming Films are Reboots, Sequels

Sports Up 4.3% in 2016 to Reach $15.4 Billion in Sales

For the third year in a row, sports is the second-strongest property type with 4.3% growth in 2016, according to TLL’s Annual Licensing Business Survey. Retail sales of licensed sports-based merchandise reached $15.4 billion in 2016, up from $14.79 in 2015. Collegiate is also enjoying strong traction at 2.5% growth, reaching $3.5 billion in sales. The 4.3% increase surpassed … [Read more...] about Sports Up 4.3% in 2016 to Reach $15.4 Billion in Sales

Roundup: Promotional Partnerships

Real Madrid's official console partner is Xbox. To celebrate, Xbox will host a series of events at Microsoft Stores throughout the U.S. during Real Madrid’s U.S. Summer Tour. Betty Boop is the new face of Foulbi Co., Ltd.'s J-esthetic—over 100 esthetic salons and day spas. The campaign includes a commercial as well as print and digital ads. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. … [Read more...] about Roundup: Promotional Partnerships

Mergers & Acquisitions

Phoenix Asset Management increases its stake in Hornby Hobbies to over 70% after increasing its stake to over 50% last month. Italian toy manufacturer Giochi Preziosi sells its 50% stake in Prenatal Retail Group to Artsana, giving Artsana full ownership of European retail brands brands Toy Centre, King Jouet, Prenatal, and Bimbostore. The deal is estimated to be worth 105 … [Read more...] about Mergers & Acquisitions

Deal Sheet — 7/26/2017

Quick Navigate Properties Available or Recently Assigned, U.S. Licenses Recently Granted, U.S. Intl. Properties Available or Recently Assigned Intl. Licenses Recently Granted Archived Deal Sheets   Licenses Recently Granted, U.S. *Extension or renewal. PropertyGranted ToProducts ManufacturedGranted By B.U.M. Equipment Urban OutfittersApparel B.U.M. … [Read more...] about Deal Sheet — 7/26/2017