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
Disney
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
WestJet Plane Takes “Frozen” to New Heights
Last week, WestJet rolled out a very special airplane, a Boeing 737 featuring images from "Frozen" on the fuselage, overhead bins, headrests and even bathroom mirrors. The Canadian airline actually launched its first Disney-themed plane two years ago. But the licensing of super brand "Frozen" takes the WestJet/Disney collaboration to another level. While it might be the most … [Read more...] about WestJet Plane Takes “Frozen” to New Heights
Internet Changes Dynamics of Kids’ TV
By Marcy Magiera Earlier this month, as much of the television industry was preparing to travel to France for market MIPCOM and its children's programming section, MIPJunior, Netflix announced that it will add seven new original series for older kids to its streaming service beginning this December. The slate, which includes shows based on established brands including LEGO and … [Read more...] about Internet Changes Dynamics of Kids’ TV
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
Awareness High of New ‘Muppets,’ ‘Supergirl’ TV Shows
By Marcy Magiera With the fall TV season about to start, research shows that the new programs with the highest ratings and consumer intent to watch are based on properties that are already established. ABC's "The Muppets" (62% awareness), Fox's "Minority Report" (35%) CBS' "Supergirl" (34%) and NBC's "Heroes Reborn" (28%) have the top … [Read more...] about Awareness High of New ‘Muppets,’ ‘Supergirl’ TV Shows
Disney’s ‘Star Wars’ Merchandising Campaign: Bigger & Earlier than Anything Before
The timing between movie release and merchandising is a perennial challenge in movie licensing. Historically, merchandise associated with an anticipated blockbuster appears on store shelves around six weeks before release. But several of the entertainment executives we interviewed last spring for The Licensing Letter's 2014 Annual Licensing Business Survey predicted that this … [Read more...] about Disney’s ‘Star Wars’ Merchandising Campaign: Bigger & Earlier than Anything Before
Disney Opens 15 Week Merchandise Window for Star Wars
By Marcy Magiera When The Licensing Letter spoke to entertainment executives for our Annual Licensing Business Survey back in the spring, several sources predicted that movie-based licensed merchandise this fall would begin to appear in stores earlier than ever, with end-of-year movies loading merchandise into stores as soon as September. The expected leader of that trend: … [Read more...] about Disney Opens 15 Week Merchandise Window for Star Wars
Disney Rallies Fans for Properties in Licensing Pipeline
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. Disney used its D23 fan expo—a sort of single company Comic-Con where the largest presentations were delivered to an audience of 7,500 (even more people than can be seated in Comic-Con's Hall H at the San Diego Convention Center)—to deliver updates on and promotions for most of the films in its licensed products pipeline. Included at D23, held Aug. 14-16 … [Read more...] about Disney Rallies Fans for Properties in Licensing Pipeline