The Licensing Letter

Toys and Games

Sonic The Hedgehog Celebrates 30 Years

Time flies when you're having fun, and especially if you're super speedster Sonic the Hedgehog, but it's still been 30 years since the iconic game character saw its first game released in 1991. That makes this a year of celebration and licensing opportunities for Sonic, as Sega is planning with a film sequel, a new series, and a variety of product deals. Depending on the … [Read more...] about Sonic The Hedgehog Celebrates 30 Years

Hasbro’s Finn Arnesen Joins Games Workshop

The Games Workshop Group is diving even deeper into the entertainment business, announcing the appointment of former Hasbro Studios SVP Finn Arnesen as the company's first Head of Entertainment Development. Games Workshop is best known for its Warhammer gaming franchise, and the company also has its own library of novels and short stories based on the game. Arnesen's first … [Read more...] about Hasbro’s Finn Arnesen Joins Games Workshop

LEGO Caps Breakout Year With 13% Growth

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The LEGO Group has been on a tear throughout fiscal 2020, launching new and innovative products, signing key licensing deals, and continuing its run as one of the world's top kids' entertainment companies. That success has also translated into growing revenue, as the European tosco reported a 13% increase in revenue to $7 billion, at a time … [Read more...] about LEGO Caps Breakout Year With 13% Growth

Funko Ends Strong in Tough Year

The pop culture product company Funko released its fourth quarter results this week, showing a strong finish after a brutal year in which global sales were strongly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. While Funko's profitability suffered mightily through most of the year, the company says its recovery in Q4 leads management to predict a dramatic turnaround in 2021, with an … [Read more...] about Funko Ends Strong in Tough Year

Random House Signs LEGO Book Deal

Random House has signed a deal that will see a major expansion of book titles being published and distributed globally for toy giant LEGO. Under the agreement, Random House Children’s Books will partner with AMEET Publishing, LEGO Publishing’s worldwide strategic partner, to expand the LEGO Books business, said Chris Angelilli, VP & Editor-in-Chief of Licensed Publishing, … [Read more...] about Random House Signs LEGO Book Deal

Walmart Names Moose Toys ‘Supplier of the Year’

The Australian-based company Moose Toys has been named the Toy Supplier of the Year by global retail giant Walmart, during its seventh annual Supplier Growth Forum, held virtually on March 3. "It is truly an honor to be recognized with this award by Walmart, who continue to be one of our most valued global partners," said Glenn Abell, president of Moose Toys USA. "Moose first … [Read more...] about Walmart Names Moose Toys ‘Supplier of the Year’

Cardi B Releases Doll, Then Deactivates Her Twitter Account

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The famous and sometimes infamous rapper Cardi B has released her own limited edition fashion doll, and within three minutes the doll had sold out, and Cardi B deactivated her Twitter account after a spat with fans. The release of the Cardi B doll was timed to coincide with Women's History Month, and was put out through the newly formed … [Read more...] about Cardi B Releases Doll, Then Deactivates Her Twitter Account