The Licensing Letter

TLL

Bundling Goods with Music

Garth Brooks’s GhostTunes music downloading service rolled out last month in tandem with release of Brooks’ “Man Against the Machine” album, his first in 13 years. The new service allows artists to bundle licensed merchandise, tickets, and the music itself, to order. While others bundle merchandise, GhostTunes reportedly pays 80% of music sales to the artist—compared to 70% … [Read more...] about Bundling Goods with Music

Hornets’ Slam Dunk

With the NBA team’s return to its original Hornets name—and return to Charlotte following a 12 year run as the New Orleans Bobcats—retail sales of licensed merchandise for the team are up 77% so far this year over last, the team’s Peter Guelli tells The New York Times. At Fanatics, which manages most league and team website merchandise sales, Hornets merchandise is up fivefold … [Read more...] about Hornets’ Slam Dunk

Julius Pops Up

Saban Brands’ Paul Frank has opened a popup shop in the chic Paramount Hotel in New York. The outlet features apparel, sleepwear, accessories, and NYC-themed gifts. The location will be open through January 30, 2015. A charitable component benefits Covenant House, which serves homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth. … [Read more...] about Julius Pops Up

QSRs Embrace Licensing

“There was a time when chains feared that offering their food in supermarkets would keep consumers away from the restaurants,” notes QSR Magazine. “But that archaic notion has gone by the wayside as quick-service brands are increasingly finding a great deal of success offering some of their products at retail.” The article goes on to cite examples including Marie Callender’s … [Read more...] about QSRs Embrace Licensing

How Sharp is Best Buy?

Sharp is licensing its name to Best Buy for a direct-to-retail exclusive line of LED TVs. That’s not all that unusual, except that Sharp’s core business is manufacturing TVs, and the brand has its own Sharp Aquos brand of LED TVs. Sharp’s insists this is not a case of Sharp granting Best Buy permission to put the Sharp name on Best Buy’s house brand Insignia sets. … [Read more...] about How Sharp is Best Buy?

Marley’s Organic Growth

Marley Natural, the company that licenses the late reggae singer Bob Marley’s name, is adding the most organic of products to its offerings: Marley Natural Fine Cannabis grown from “heirloom Jamaican cannabis strains” as well as creams, topicals, balms, and accessories. The plan is to grow, distribute, and market the product in states where it is legal by the end of 2015. … [Read more...] about Marley’s Organic Growth

Ripped From Headlines

Tightrope artist Nik Wallenda has licensed mobile gaming companies Tapinator and Hyperpower Game Group to release of “SkyBalance by Nik Wallenda,” a licensed mobile game for iOS, Android and Amazon. The game commemorates a live Discovery Channel event in which Wallenda traversed skyscrapers in Chicago. … [Read more...] about Ripped From Headlines

Disney Consumer Products Revenues Expand When Frozen

Revenue at Disney Consumer Products (including merchandise licensing and the Disney retail stores) increased 12% to $3.985 billion for the year ended Sept. 27, 2014, compared to the prior year. Operating income for the unit was up 22% to $1.356 billion over the same period. Singled out for strongest contributions to merchandise licensing for the year: Frozen and the new Disney … [Read more...] about Disney Consumer Products Revenues Expand When Frozen

Fighting Obesity In the Produce Aisle

With an increasing societal focus on health and wellness and a desire to combat childhood obesity, entertainment/character licensors are interested in associating their properties with the produce category, and vice versa. Some examples within the last year or so: Sesame Workshop, the Produce Marketing Association, and the Partnership for a Healthier America forged a deal … [Read more...] about Fighting Obesity In the Produce Aisle