As always, see the complete list of deals from this last week here.
In Japan, a Betty Boop-branded diner opens in Japan through a deal brokered with Food Business Consultant Inc. (FBC) by licensor King Features’ Japanese agent, Copyrights Asia. The location plans to feature merch and special holiday events in the ’50s-esque eatery.
WildBrain is appointed as the exclusive global manager of Moose Toys’ YouTube channels for the Shopkins, Happy Places, Grossery Gang, and Twozies brands.
Square Enix acquires multi-year, multi-title license to develop and publish video games based on Marvel characters. The first game under the new deal is based on The Avengers, and will be developed by Crystal Dynamics (Tomb Raider) and Eidos-Montreal (Deus Ex). Elsewhere, Marvel begins production on feature film Black Panther (2018).
Target is launching a its first partnership in jewelry and accessories with SugarFix by BaubleBar after the retailer’s holiday jewelry sales dipped 1.3%. Elsewhere, the retailer becomes an Official Partner of Major League Soccer (MLS) in a multi-year deal that includes airtime during broadcasts on Univision, Fox Sports, and ESPN; opportunities for in-stadium experiences; player appearances; and ownership of certain major MLS platforms. Target is also working with its home team Minnesota United, U.S. Youth Soccer, and the U.S. Soccer Foundation. The retailer will partner with a number of its vendors on the push into soccer, including Belkin, Crest, Degree, Dove, Energizer, GE, Gillette, GSK, Hershey’s, Kimberly-Clark, Philips, Scotch-Brite, Smuckers, Tide, and Venus.
Beginning with the 2017/18 season, sales of replica NBA jerseys will be split between Fanatics and Nike as as Nike takes over the NBA uniform license from Adidas. Nike will sell authentic on-court jerseys for $300 each and in October, replica rights will be split between Nike offering a $110 Swingman replica jerseys while Fanatics will sell adult-sized replicas priced between $65 and $70.
Elton John and Paul Rudnick are set to author the Broadway musical “The Devil Wears Prada.” Producer Kevin McCollum is working with Fox Stage Productions and Rocket Entertainment on the novel and film adaptation.
Mattel‘s Thomas & Friends launches its first global marketing campaign, “Set Friendship in Motion,” aimed at helping preschoolers learn friendship skills such as collaboration, sharing, manners, kindness, and self-expression. The campaign includes content, digital activations, and live events.