The age-old question is re-examined: DC or Marvel? We've restated the 2014 retail sales figures for Batman, Avengers, and Superman to reflect the relative rankings between the four superhero brands on the $100 million-plus list. This is how the top superheroes rank up in 2015 for licensed retail sales in the U.S./Canada: Batman (No. 11 on the $100 million list) Spider-Man … [Read more...] about Superheroes Revisited: Batman Overtakes Spider-Man
Disney
Halloween Spending Up; Entertainment Tops Costume Choices
By Karina Masolova Halloween spending is expected to reach an all-time high this year, according to the National Retail Foundation (NRF)'s Halloween Spending Survey; total spending is expected to reach $8.4 billion, up 21.7% from $6.9 billion in 2015. The last time sales came close was in 2012, at a previous high of $8.0 billion. Over 171 million Americans expected to celebrate … [Read more...] about Halloween Spending Up; Entertainment Tops Costume Choices
Preschool: A Passport to the Worldwide Market
By Karina Masolova As one of the first categories in which properties originating outside the U.S. became part of global culture, the worldwide preschool sector essentially provides licensors with a passport to the global licensed consumer products market. The trend is only accelerating as the over-$10 billion market for licensed preschool products expands. See the complete … [Read more...] about Preschool: A Passport to the Worldwide Market
Pumping Up Brands
By Karina Masolova Despite our love for athleisure and all things healthy, a recent study by Nautilus shows that Americans and Europeans fail when it comes to general health and fitness knowledge (scoring an average of 42% and 39%, respectively). But it can't be denied that fitness is a big business, even if it is more aspirational than not. The 2016 update to Inc.'s 5000 list … [Read more...] about Pumping Up Brands
Who’s News
Genius Brands Intl. promotes Stone Newman to President Global Consumer Products, Worldwide Content Sales & Marketing and hires Jo Kavanagh-Payne as SVP Global Distribution. PBS promotes Dawn Ciccone to VP Brand Licensing, where she leads PBS KIDS brand licensing. Amanda Hill is elevated to CMO of A+E Networks. Chris Heatherly is now EVP Worldwide Games & Digital … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Rogue Film’s Miniature Launch
By Karina Masolova In a move reminiscent of last year's Force Friday unboxing events, Disney revealed the new toy line for upcoming film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story via a series of fan-made videos on Star War's YouTube channel. Unlike last year however, the toys—from Hasbro, LEGO, Funko, Jakks Pacific, Mattel and Disney Store—are brought to life in scripted stop-animation … [Read more...] about Rogue Film’s Miniature Launch
Disney Dresses Up with Fashion
If you think Disney licensing is all about mass merchant toys and T-shirts, think again. Fast fashion retailer Forever 21 this week rolls out a limited-edition Disney Pixar capsule collection of women's, men's and kids's clothing and accessories that feature character portraits of Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Dory, Nemo, Mike Wazowski and others along with phrases that play off the … [Read more...] about Disney Dresses Up with Fashion
Star Wars Blasts Toy Industry Growth to Century High
By Marcy Magiera Toys based on movie, TV and other entertainment content licenses will push U.S. toy sales to growth of 7.0% in 2016, the market's fastest growth this century, predicts The NPD Group. U.S. toy sales grew a stellar 7.5% in the first half of this year, outpacing first-half growth in 2015, when full-year growth ended up at 6.7%, according to NPD. The biggest … [Read more...] about Star Wars Blasts Toy Industry Growth to Century High
Who’s News
Adam Berg joins The Valen Group as VP Strategic Brand Licensing. Vans appoints Doug Palladini to the position of Global Brand President. Cathryn Summerhayes is joining Curtis Brown as an Agent effective Sept. 1st. Golden Bear promotes Barry Hughes to Managing Director. Hasbro acquires Boulder Media; the animation studio now reports to Stephen Davis, Chief Content Officer … [Read more...] about Who’s News
The Language of Licensing
By Karina Masolova The language of licensing is slowly shifting to reflect new practices and perceptions. To this end, TLL surveyed our readers to gauge the extent of these changes—and while the implications for the business are not necessarily immediate or obvious, they run deep and true. Walking the floor of Licensing Expo 2016, it was clear that there exists a strict … [Read more...] about The Language of Licensing