By Glenn Demby Neil Cole is stepping down as chairman, president and CEO of Iconix Brand Group Inc., the company he founded 10 years ago. He will remain on as a special adviser through September 30. Meanwhile, board member Peter Cuneo will succeed Cole as chairman and CEO on an interim basis. The announcement of Cole's departure added to what has already been a hectic … [Read more...] about Iconix’s Cole Resigns from the Company He Founded
TLL
American Eagle Eyes Global Licensing
By Glenn Demby American Eagle Outfitters holds only 1.16% of the U.S. apparel market, according to Forbes, and its share is growing none too fast. Faced with a saturated and mature market at home, Eagle is looking to grow by signing licensing agreements abroad. Eagle, which currently has 111 licensed stores in 17 countries and earns 12% of its total revenues abroad (as compared … [Read more...] about American Eagle Eyes Global Licensing
What’s Hot & What’s Not in 2015 Licensed Entertainment Property Sales
By Glenn Demby 'Tis the season for corporate earnings reports. Highlights from major entertainment licensors Disney, DreamWorks and Time Warner: Hot: Disney's consumer products division which grew 6% to $954 million Not Hot: Spider-Man which was actually down for the quarter Hot: The Avengers, Frozen and Star Wars which drove growth in Disney consumer products Not … [Read more...] about What’s Hot & What’s Not in 2015 Licensed Entertainment Property Sales
Digital Deals
By Glenn Demby You Gotta Have Hart: Hannah Hart is the latest YouTube star to cash in on her digital celebrity by inking a multi-year deal with women's multichannel network Kin Community for brand integrations, media opportunities and new programming production. Play Puck!: MLB Advanced Media will pay the NHL $600 million over 6 years for the right to broadcast and stream … [Read more...] about Digital Deals
By the Numbers: Slowdown in Back-to-School Spending
By Glenn Demby The general slowdown in retail is expected to affect back-to-school spending on both licensed and unlicensed goods, according to a new NRF survey: $24.9 billion: Expected amount of total back-to school spending $630.36: Average amount family with kids in grades K-12 is expected to spend for apparel, electronics and other school needs (down from $669.28 in … [Read more...] about By the Numbers: Slowdown in Back-to-School Spending
Hello Kitty Hits the Road
Hello Kitty, one of the properties widely believed to have been squeezed by Frozen’s wild popularity in 2014, is taking to the road to defend her turf. The Sanrio property, an almost $4 billion globally licensed brand in 2013, is at the center of Hello Kitty’s Supercute Friendship Festival, the property’s first-ever North America touring show. The live entertainment show will … [Read more...] about Hello Kitty Hits the Road
New Whitney Port Line is a QVC Exclusive
By Marcy Magiera Designer and TV personality Whitney Port has a new apparel line with QVC. Simply called Whitney Port, the seven-piece QVC line includes dresses, sweaters, pants and skirts, each priced below $60. While still channeling Port's "feminine California style with a little New York City edge," the collection is less funky, according to the designer, than Port's higher … [Read more...] about New Whitney Port Line is a QVC Exclusive
The Sweet Smell of Friday: Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj Launch New Perfumes
By Marcy Magiera Singer Katy Perry is in the news for more than her on-and-off relationship with John Mayer, alleged feud with Taylor Swift and attempt to buy a Los Angeles convent. The singer just launched the new fragrance Mad Potion exclusively with a pop-up shop on Twitter's new shopping platform (@katyperrypopup). The $30 vanilla-musk scent is Perry's fourth with licensee … [Read more...] about The Sweet Smell of Friday: Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj Launch New Perfumes
Genius Builds Team for Llama Llama
By Marcy Magiera Genius Brands International is building its team for the 2016 multimedia launch of beloved children's book property Llama Llama. The company just brought on NCircle Entertainment as its exclusive U.S. home video distributor for the new Llama Llama animated series that is scheduled to debut next year. NCircle will distribute the program on DVD and digital … [Read more...] about Genius Builds Team for Llama Llama
Burger King Grows With A.1. Brand
By Marcy Magiera Restaurant Brands International reported this week that its Burger King restaurants posted a comp store sales increase of 6.7% and system-wide sales increase of 11.6% in the most recent quarter, due in large part to the popularity of its licensed A.1. Hearty Mozzarella Bacon Cheeseburger. BK has two burgers featuring Kraft Foods' savory A.1. Thick & Hearty … [Read more...] about Burger King Grows With A.1. Brand