By Karina Masolova 2016 promises to be bigger than ever for licensed toys and games. Category sales reached almost $7 billion in 2014, according to TLL’s Annual Licensing Business Survey, and are expected to grow this year. But amidst soaring success, girls’ toys have been seeing slumping sales, with giants such as Mattel and Hasbro reporting declines. To counter this, the … [Read more...] about The State of Girls’ Toys
Disney
Turtles, Trolls and Other Movie Licenses That Will Challenge Star Wars This Year
By Marcy Magiera With Star Wars: The Force Awakens closing in on $2 billion in global ticket sales and continuing to topple box-office records on an almost daily basis a month after its opening, it's clear the latest installment in the sci-fi epic will continue to drive licensed merchandise sales throughout 2016—and beyond. Once The Force Awakens leaves theaters, there … [Read more...] about Turtles, Trolls and Other Movie Licenses That Will Challenge Star Wars This Year
Tis the Season for Acquisitions
By Karina Masolova Companies were treating themselves this holiday season, with number of acquisitions making headlines. Here are some of the top buys: Sequential Brands Group restructured its agreement with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia in a new 10 year contract to acquire all outstanding shares of the media company. Sequential expects to generate nearly $3.75 billion in … [Read more...] about Tis the Season for Acquisitions
Who’s News
Nickelodeon promoted Jennifer Caveza to SVP Toys & Business Development and Jon Roman to SVP Boys' Toys & Business Development. Across the pond, Nickelodeon U.K. has appointed Alison Bakunowich as General Manager to replace Tina McCann, who is stepping down from running the children’s TV network. Discovery Consumer Products brought on Felicia Tuan as Regional Director … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Who’s News
HTI promoted Alison Downie Global Licensing & Brand Director. Rocket Licensing appointed Megan Wain as the new Licensing Coordinator. Penguin Ventures appointed Thomas Merrington to the newly created role of Peter Rabbit Brand Manager & Head Product Development for the Penguin Ventures portfolio. Meanwhile, Penguin Random House Children's U.K. promoted Richard Haines … [Read more...] about Who’s News
The Retail Force Awakens: How Much Money Will Star Wars Make?
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. Most movie-based entertainment properties have a limited shelf life lasting roughly as long as the film's run. Occasionally, exemplary properties like Cars, Monsters Inc. or Toy Story will drive sales for a few years after the film closes. But Star Wars is in a universe of its own. There hasn't been a new Star Wars film since 2005. Yet the franchise … [Read more...] about The Retail Force Awakens: How Much Money Will Star Wars Make?
Entertainment, Sports Licensed Goods Lead Black Friday Deals
Hot holiday properties Frozen and Star Wars, and collegiate and NFL licensed merchandise, will be decking the halls of many retailers on one of the biggest shopping days of the year. Some of the nation's largest retailers over the past week moved to control the flow of information about their Black Friday promotions by "leaking" their own Thanksgiving weekend ad circulars … [Read more...] about Entertainment, Sports Licensed Goods Lead Black Friday Deals
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
Who’s News
Viacom International Media Networks’ VP Intl. Brand Management Charlotte Castillo has been promoted to SVP Brand Management & Creative for Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP). Seth Marks, former SVP Merchandising & Strategic Sourcing for Overstock.com, has joined Kmart as Head Strategic Merchandising. Jarrod Weber has been promoted to EVP Fashion at … [Read more...] about Who’s News
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