Seventy thousand-plus people, including 20,000 fans, flocked to the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles last week for the digital entertainment industry's annual parade of video game properties, both new and well known. The hot topic of the show was Virtual Reality (VR) with Sony announcing that its PlayStation VR headset for PS4 will become available Oct. 13, … [Read more...] about Licensed Properties Play at E3
Interactive/Online
Can Movie Give a Lift to Angry Birds Licensing?
By Marcy Magiera Mobile game maker Rovio is counting on a new 3D animated movie to create a licensing lift beneath the wings of its Angry Birds franchise. The Angry Birds Movie will open May 20 in the U.S. and China, following its May 12 debut in other international markets. Angry Birds counts more than 3 billion downloads and 100 million-plus monthly active users, according to … [Read more...] about Can Movie Give a Lift to Angry Birds Licensing?
Video Game-based Merchandise Back on Track
This year video game/interactive/online-based merchandise turned around from a 4% loss in retail sales of licensed merchandise in 2014 to a 2% gain for 2015 according to The Licensing Letter's Annual Business Survey. The category has begun to recover from the sharp decline caused by Angry Birds, which made up the bulk of sales in the sector. Growth came from the resurgence of … [Read more...] about Video Game-based Merchandise Back on Track
Emily Weiss Gives Beauty a Millennial Makeover
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. Unless you're a close follower of the beauty market, this week's launch of the Glossier (pronounced "glossy AY," as in "dossier") Phase 2 Set might have escaped your notice. But while the new makeup set is no game changer, Emily Weiss, the persona behind the Glossier brand is. Weiss and the digital company she founded three years ago are in many ways the … [Read more...] about Emily Weiss Gives Beauty a Millennial Makeover
Nintendo NY Re-opens With New Merch, Games
By Karina Masolova The newly branded Nintendo New York store, previously Nintendo World, re-opened Feb. 19th with a new 15-foot gaming screen, exclusive merchandise and appearances by Mario, Luigi and Charles Martinet. The two-floor space has been redesigned with large-scale gaming events in mind; the location boasts larger, open spaces and merchandise on movable … [Read more...] about Nintendo NY Re-opens With New Merch, Games
New Frontiers in VR
By Karina Masolova As traditional linear entertainment falls by the wayside, new technologies emerge that make it possible for us to interact with brands. Thus, for example, Internet TV is making on-demand the norm for TV viewing. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality are also among the technologies changing the rules of engagement. Know Your Headsets Google Cardboard … [Read more...] about New Frontiers in VR
Activision Latest to Launch TV/Movie Studio
By Karina Masolova Activision Blizzard made its latest move in a series set to position the company as a multi-platform entertainment franchise power. The video game development company launched its own TV and movie studio, Activision Blizzard Studios. It joins companies like Mattel and Hasbro, whose in-house studios are set grow their overall business. On the other side of the … [Read more...] about Activision Latest to Launch TV/Movie Studio
Star Wars Demonstrates Power of Franchises for Licensing, Theaters
By Marcy Magiera As this story was being written and The Licensing Letter’s semi-annual chart of movies with licensing potential compiled, Star Wars: The Force Awakens was breaking advance ticket sales records two months ahead of its Dec. 18 opening. Online ticketing sites Fandango and MovieTickets.com reportedly crashed for some users under the heavy traffic when tickets went … [Read more...] about Star Wars Demonstrates Power of Franchises for Licensing, Theaters
Video Games in Court
This chart was first published Oct. 21, 2015 in conjunction with an in-depth analysis of the unlicensed use of trademark brands in video games. … [Read more...] about Video Games in Court
Full Licensee Roster to Back N.A. Launch of Japanese Anime Hit
BY MARCY MAGIERA Yo-Kai Watch, the hottest kids’ property in Japan over the past 18 months, will land in North America on Oct. 5, when cable’s Disney XD will begin showing the animated half-hour five days a week. The TV premiere marks the beginning of a licensing campaign that will see a legion of mischievous Yo-kai spirits unleashed across video games, comic books, toys, … [Read more...] about Full Licensee Roster to Back N.A. Launch of Japanese Anime Hit