This last week saw the latest iteration of New York Toy Fair and offered a clear formula for success in toy aisles this coming year—if a toy or game includes one or more of the following fads, it might sell: (1) low-price collectible with blind packaging, (2) "cute" sparkles and magic, or (3) "gross" material like poop, slime, and dirt. Retail sales of licensed toys and games … [Read more...] about NYTF18: Blind Bags, Glitter & Poop
Toys and Games
Award-winning Toys & Games
At the 18th annual Toy of the Year Awards, the Toy Association honored the top toys, games, and licenses according to votes cast late last year. Toy of the Year: Fingerlings, WowWee USA and L.O.L. Surprise!, MGA Entertainment (tie) License of the Year: Star Wars, Disney Consumer Products & Interactive Media People’s Choice: Mystery Minis, Funko Action Figure of the … [Read more...] about Award-winning Toys & Games
The Rise of Video Games
The creeping influence of video game brands on the floor of the New York Toy Fair hints at the emergence of a new powerhouse player in licensing. What's more, the branded toys and games emerging from this space have broad appeal to both children and adults. Retail sales of licensed merchandise based on video game/interactive/online-based properties amounted to $61 million in … [Read more...] about The Rise of Video Games
Amidst Rocky 2017 Performance, Toycos Boosted by Licensing
The NPD Group’s latest report shows the toy industry grew by 1% in 12 global markets in 2017, with global sales reaching $20.7 billion. The top growth-drivers, according to the research group, were fidget toys, slime, dolls, and collectibles. According to NPD, 2017′s top three-selling toy properties globally were Star Wars, Nerf, and Barbie. In the U.S. alone, Nerf captured the … [Read more...] about Amidst Rocky 2017 Performance, Toycos Boosted by Licensing
Company Spotlight: On Scaling Niche to Mass
Since filing for an IPO last year, Funko has released some of its financial data and offered a few key insights on the fast-growing, ever-volatile market for pop culture collectible merchandise. Here are some of the top takeaways and most interesting tidbits gleaned from a licensee generating around $800 million in licensed retail sales a year. While the company seems to … [Read more...] about Company Spotlight: On Scaling Niche to Mass
46 Properties Make the $100+ Million Ent/Char List in 2016
Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com A grand total of 46 properties made the $100 million entertainment/character list for 2016 retail sales, with five new faces joining the pack. See the complete list here. All in all, the top properties generated $43 billion in retail sales of licensed merchandise worldwide. Globally, that marks a $2 billion increase compared to … [Read more...] about 46 Properties Make the $100+ Million Ent/Char List in 2016
Roundup: Robotics, Video Games, and the IoT
By: Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com Lucasfilm gathered Facebook, Fitbit, Industrial Light & Magic, Instagram, Twitter, and Google together to inspire the next generation of inventors at the first-ever Droidathon, an invention competition running from Nov. 15–Jan. 10. Using the littleBits Droid Inventor Kit as a starting point, teams of kid engineers, … [Read more...] about Roundup: Robotics, Video Games, and the IoT
Sports-based Brands & Goods Score a Goal
By: Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com Retail sales of sports-based licensed merchandise grew 3.5% worldwide in 2016—and in the U.S./Canada, growth exceeded 4% to reach $15.4 billion in licensed retail sales. Soccer is one of the fastest-growing segments, growing over 10% year-over-year in retail sales. Fanatics secures a $1 billion investment from Japanese … [Read more...] about Sports-based Brands & Goods Score a Goal
Guess Who’s Back
By: Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com Nostalgia remains strong for retro brands—and it's not just '50s and '60s-inspired designs, icons, and goods. The '90s counts, too. We review the top retro announcements this week. Epic Rights signs *NSYNC, one the bestselling bands of all-time with over 70 million records sold, in time for the 20th anniversary of the pop … [Read more...] about Guess Who’s Back
In & Around 34th Street
By: Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com I try to trek down to 34th St. Herald Square, in central New York City, every once in a while. As we enter the holiday shopping season, there were some interesting licensed retail activities in and around town. The newest addition to Herald Square is the Build a Bear Workshop. The central attraction is the retailer's three … [Read more...] about In & Around 34th Street