By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief MGM’s roaring lion is now purring happily in the Amazon stable, after the eCommerce giant acquired the historic film studio in a critical, $8.45 billion deal. That sum makes the MGM acquisition the second largest in Amazon’s history, but Jeff Bezos and crew are betting their investment will pay off as part of the company’s strategy to become a giant in the world of home and theatrical entertainment. Amazon’s only investment larger than the MGM acquisition was the buyout of the Whole Foods grocery chain for $14 billion in 2017. Like the Whole Foods deal, adding the MGM label to Amazon’s corporate empire was done due to synergies in the business model. Amazon is investing heavily in making its Prime streaming video service… . . . read more
We Can All Look Better, Thanks to Queer Eye Licensing Deal
Sartorially challenged men and women everywhere can rest easy, knowing a new licensing agreement will bring the Emmy award winning fashion sense of Queer Eye to an ecommerce portal near you. Scout Productions, the company behind the hit series, announced on November 5 a multi-layered licensing program of new products and the launch of QueerEyeStore.com, bringing fans all things fashion, inclusivity and “Queer Eye.” The program, created in partnership with the show’s licensing representative IMG, features products based on the television series, including an extensive new apparel line featuring everyone’s favorite Queer Eye personalities, which is available now at Amazon and on QueerEyeStore.com. Other highlights include the recently launched exclusive home furnishings line at Walmart.com, whose success out of the gate has resulted in many products being sold out, and… . . . read more
Who’s News: September 2019
The latest hires, promotions, and departures.
Featuring: Trends Intl., Dimensional Branding, VF Corp., Amazon, and more…
Discount, Ecommerce Channels Add $1.3 Billion in U.S. & Canada Licensed Sales
The discount/mass and online/ecommerce channels alone added an additional $1.3 billion in licensed retail sales in 2018, according to TLL’s Annual Licensing Business Survey…
Wrap-Up: Experiential, Promotional & Personalized
The top deals this week, in brief, from King Features, AT&T, HBO, Urban Outfitters, Peeps, Dunkin’ Donuts, Amazon, Scholastic, Global Icons, and more…
The Boom of Private Label: Why DTR Licensing is Crucial to Retailer Success
Alfilo Brands’ Yizan He talks private labels, their rapidly increasing popularity and success in recent years, and how to compete in an even tougher retail field…
Digital Deets: Retail, Social & Gaming Updates
What you need to know from ecommerce, egaming, and internet-related news. Featuring Amazon, Rovio/Sprint, pocket.watch, YouTube, TikTok, and more…
Retail Watch: Thanksgiving, Black Friday & Other Trends
Updated: The top trends and data points to help you digest this holiday weekend. Featuring Amazon, YouTube/Teespring, Kering/Net-a-Porter, and more research firms than you can shake a stick at…
One-Quarter of Top 2018 Holiday Toys are Licensed
Roughly 29% of the top 2018 holiday toys are licensed, according to lists created by Walmart, Target, Amazon, and Kmart…
Retail Watch: Holiday, Online & Experiential
The latest intelligence on online retail sales, plus holiday insights and new branded experiential initiatives from Amazon x GH, Unilever x Dunkin’…