The Licensing Letter

TLL

Disney Reorg Aims to Shore up Video Games

Video games may be the closest thing mighty Disney has to an Achilles’ heel. The merger between Disney Interactive and Disney Consumer Products aims to fix that. The move is hardly unexpected. For years, DCP, which is supposed to focus on “traditional” games, has developed digital products like app-based story books, mobile learning apps like Imagicademy, toys to life like … [Read more...] about Disney Reorg Aims to Shore up Video Games

Pop Quiz: Sales Tax on Online Sales

Situation: Lucy Tania and her brother Maury live in Arizona. Lucy buys a Captain America t-shirt at the local mall; Maury buys exactly the same shirt for the same price from an online retail site operated by a New York company that doesn't have a physical location in Arizona. Question: Which transaction(s) is/are subject to the 5.6% Arizona state sales tax? Lucy's mall … [Read more...] about Pop Quiz: Sales Tax on Online Sales

Licensing Expo Is Coming-Out Party for Digital; Brand Revivals, Global Properties Also Loom Large

The arrival of digital celebrity, digital content and social media is the biggest story of Licensing Expo 2015. That "arrival" is, of course, more symbol than substance. Digital and social media have been reshaping licensing for more than a decade. But in 2015, it became official as those forces took their rightful place at Expo, the licensing industry's central event. Digital … [Read more...] about Licensing Expo Is Coming-Out Party for Digital; Brand Revivals, Global Properties Also Loom Large

Small Bites

News tidbits in the food and beverages sector: Eggland’s Best signed with Joester Loria Group to extend its egg brand to kitchen tools, appliances, publishing and other food items. Sony Pictures TV has enlisted 21st Century Spirits for a limited Heisenberg Blue Ice Vodka inspired by the TV series Breaking Bad. Huy Fong Foods is teaming with Pop! Gourmet Foods and Red Gold on … [Read more...] about Small Bites

Branding, Island Style

Two brands that embrace a beach lifestyle, Tommy Bahama and Maui Jim, are summering together. Maui Jim polarized sunglasses will be sold at all Tommy Bahama stores and online, marking the first time that Tommy Bahama will sell a branded product other than its own. … [Read more...] about Branding, Island Style

Marvel Avengers’ Mission: To Get Kids Moving

Walt Disney Consumer Products and toy licensee Hasbro will appeal to families interested in both active play and tech toys with Playmation, a system of toys and wearable devices that uses motion sensors and wireless technology to encourage kids to run around while controlling smart action figure toys from wriststrapped gear. Playmation’s Marvel Avengers will hit stores in … [Read more...] about Marvel Avengers’ Mission: To Get Kids Moving

New Jersey Highways Become a Brand

They may lack the romance of old Route 66, but the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway are traveled by more than 600 million vehicles and one billion people each year—enough to inspire a licensing program. The roadways will be commemorated on products including t-shirts, hoodies, bags, magnets, mugs, phone cases, beach towels, and wildflower seed packets sold at … [Read more...] about New Jersey Highways Become a Brand

Throngs Discuss Thrones

Game of Thrones, the highest rated show in HBO history, set the social media universe ablaze with the plot twists in its fifth season finale June 14. Despite the controversial developments, the publicity can only be good news for licensees. New products headed to retail include a new collector’s edition of the book Game of Thrones: A Pop-Up Guide to Westeros, packed with a … [Read more...] about Throngs Discuss Thrones

Build-A-Bear Lines Up Licensees

Build-A-Bear Workshop’s 400 stores will host a lineup of visiting entertainment/characters licenses well into next year. In residence now, ahead of the July 10 theatrical release of Minions, from Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment, are Kevin, Bob, and Stuart. In August come four dolls from MGA Entertainment’s Lalaloopsy. Entertainment One’s Peppa Pig will be in … [Read more...] about Build-A-Bear Lines Up Licensees