“Frozen” was a licenser’s dream and a big reason that U.S. retail licensed toys sales grew 7% in 2014 ($5.7 billion), according to the NPD Group. But expectations for 2015 are even greater, thanks to a quartet of Hollywood blockbusters that have enormous potential for licensed toys and other merchandise. Here’s a rundown of each film by release date and the toy licensing … [Read more...] about The 4 Toy Licensing Blockbuster Movies to Watch in 2015
TLL
Bugs Back in Jordan’s Court
Nike’s Jordan Brand and Looney Tunes licensor Warner Bros. Consumer Products are poised to relaunch the iconic Hare Jordan campaign for the Air Jordan franchise’s 30th anniversary. Hare Jordan products will start hitting retail in the spring. Nike’s first Hare Jordan commercial teaming Looney Tunes’ Bugs Bunny and the Chicago Bulls’ Michael Jordan, fresh off his first NBA … [Read more...] about Bugs Back in Jordan’s Court
Streaming of TV Content & Its Implications for Consumer Licensing
TV has and will continue to have a dramatic effect on consumer licensing. Accordingly, you need to be aware of the dramatic changes in the way consumers are discovering new TV content and how they may impact the effectiveness of your licensing initiatives. The CEA Study Historically, TV broadcasting and cable have functioned as both free flowing sources of entertainment … [Read more...] about Streaming of TV Content & Its Implications for Consumer Licensing
Who’s News
Jason Rice is leaving Turner Broadcasting Systems where he served as licensing director for Cartoon Network to become the director of brand licensing for SEGA Europe. He will work with SEGA Europe’s newly hired marketing director Jon Rooke to grow the company’s licensing portfolio. Elliot Lederman is the new Vice President, Retail Development for CPLG North America. His … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Who’s News
Cheryl Stoebenau, President of CAS Marketing, is elected to the LIMA Licensing Hall of Fame in recognition of her sustained excellence as a licensing agent and charitable work for children. Richard Dickson is promoted to president and chief brands officer of Mattel. In addition to continuing to oversee marketing of core Mattel and Fisher-Price properties, he will be … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Using Licensed Properties to Make New Licensed Properties
It's a toy! It's a movie! No, wait, it's a toy! … It's common for entertainment properties to spawn toys and for toys to spawn entertainment properties. Less common is for entertainment properties to inspire toys, which then inspire new entertainment properties, which then, in turn, inspire new toys. But it's happening. A leading example of the new paradigm is the … [Read more...] about Using Licensed Properties to Make New Licensed Properties
AG Sells Strawberry Shortcake for $105 Million
American Greetings has finally found a buyer for Strawberry Shortcake. Iconix Brand Group has reportedly agreed to acquire the iconic preschool brand for a cool $105 million. AG launched Strawberry Shortcake back in 1969 and has owned it ever since, developing the property into a global brand with over 350 licensees. According to TLL's Global Market for Licensed Preschool … [Read more...] about AG Sells Strawberry Shortcake for $105 Million
Celebrities v. Licensees in Court
Celebrity licensing deals are like marriages: Some succeed but many end in divorce, recrimination and litigation. Here's a Scorecard summarizing some high profile cases from recent years. LICENSEE WINS Selena Gomez v. Adrenalina (2011-2013) Situation: Adrenalina sues Gomez for allegedly not supporting a personally-branded perfume line it spent $2 million to develop. Outcome: … [Read more...] about Celebrities v. Licensees in Court
Digital Celebrities: YouTube Stars, Bloggers Enter the Licensing Arena
Update: Oct. 9, 2015 A live version of the Licensed Digital Celebs chart is now available here. “In the future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes.” —Andy Warhol Had he lived a couple of more decades, Warhol may have revised his famous prediction. While mass media did, in fact, turn ordinary people into worldwide celebrities, social media has made it possible for them to … [Read more...] about Digital Celebrities: YouTube Stars, Bloggers Enter the Licensing Arena
Who’s News
Monika Salazar leaves My Little Pony, Transformers and other priority brands at Hasbro to become licensing director for Pokémon Company International. In her new position, Ms. Salazar will put together deals involving the Pokémon brand in the Americas, Australia and New Zealand. Before Hasbro, she worked at MTV Networks and Nickelodeon. Lori Heiss takes over as brand … [Read more...] about Who’s News