Discovery Communications will buy Scripps Networks Interactive for $11.9 billion early next year. The deal includes the assumption of $2.7 billion of Scripps’s net debt. Hasbro ends talks to buy out Lions Gate Entertainment, reportedly because of price disagreements. This comes after ultimately failed negotiations to buy out DreamWorks Animation in 2014, which was ultimately … [Read more...] about M&A & Investments
Hasbro
M&A & New Media
Hasbro launches its first-ever subscription service in April with the Gaming Crate, priced at $49.99 per crate, plus shipping. Each box includes three curated games that are new to the Hasbro Gaming portfolio. The crates fall into two themes: Family, which offers games designed to be played together by kids and adults, and Party, which contains games geared towards adult game … [Read more...] about M&A & New Media
Tuning In To Entertainment
Cartoon Network's first album release, Steven Universe Soundtrack: Volume 1, debuted in the top ten on five charts, including No. 1 on top of the Billboard independent albums chart, No. 2 in soundtracks, No. 3 in digital albums, and No. 22 on the Billboard Top 200. The company is looking to announce other Cartoon Network and Adult Swim albums in the upcoming months. "Music … [Read more...] about Tuning In To Entertainment
M&A and Legal
Macy's and (now Sequential Brand Group's) Martha Stewart make up with a renewal of their 10-year partnership. Macy's is the exclusive retailer for the Martha Stewart Collection brand that covers over 1,000 SKUs. The partners were previously embroiled in a 5-year legal dispute after JCPenney made a deal for Martha-branded bed, bath and kitchen products as its exclusive deal with … [Read more...] about M&A and Legal
Who’s News
Open call Looking to hire or be hired? Contact our business development team to feature your listing on TLL. Just want to feature your new hires? Contact editorial. LEGO is getting a new CEO (its first non-Dane!) as Bali Padda takes over from Jorgen Vig Knudstrop, who becomes the company's chairman. As part of the shuffle, Knudstrop will also become chairman of a new entity … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Mergers & Acquisitions
Hot Topic acquires certain assets of the apparel and accessories brand Her Universe from founder Ashley Eckstein and The Araca Group. The pop culture retailer will operate the brand’s ecommerce and wholesale business as a division. Her Universe will continue to be a stand-alone brand that is available at multiple retailers and on HerUniverse.com.Hasbro has boosted its games … [Read more...] about Mergers & Acquisitions
44 Entertainment/Character Brands Make the $100 Million List
Karina Masolova, additional reporting by Glenn Demby and Marcy Magiera Forty-four entertainment/character properties make our list of brands that generate over $100 million in retail sales of licensed merchandise in the U.S. and Canada—accounting for a total of $41 billion in sales worldwide in 2015. See the full list here. Three brands cleared $1 billion in the U.S./Canada … [Read more...] about 44 Entertainment/Character Brands Make the $100 Million List
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
Summer or Not, Mattel and Hasbro Still Feeling Frozen
By Marcy Magiera The extent to which the world's largest toy companies are reliant on entertainment/character licenses is crystal clear in a side-by-side Q2 comparison of giants Mattel and Hasbro. (We added Jakks Pacific to the chart for fun and to further illustrate the point). Two years after the property stormed retail, both companies are still feeling the Frozen effect: … [Read more...] about Summer or Not, Mattel and Hasbro Still Feeling Frozen
Mergers & Acquisitions
G-III Apparel Group will buy Donna Karan Intl. from LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton for $650 million. G-III will gain the Donna Karan and DKNY brands, which have had a “disappointing performance,” over the last 7 months according to LVMH. Hasbro acquires Irish animation studio Boulder Media, which currently produces animated series for Disney XD, BBC, Cartoon Network, … [Read more...] about Mergers & Acquisitions