By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief IHOP is about a lot more than just pancakes these days, as the chain has expanded its collaboration with Virtual Dining Concepts. Virtual Dining Concepts (VDC) is the creator of virtual restaurant brands that expand the revenue of independent kitchens. The concept is sometimes know colloquially as 'ghost kitchens', but essentially … [Read more...] about Virtual Dining Concepts Expands IHOP Partnership
NASCAR
OnChain Revs Up Multi-Year Cryptoys Partnership With Nascar
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter The high-tech collectibles company OnChain Studios just announced a multi-year partnership with NASCAR to create a line of playable and collectible digital toys. The innovative new collection will be sold and featured on Cryptoys, a revolutionary new digital toy company that combines toys, gaming and entertainment. "NASCAR will be the first … [Read more...] about OnChain Revs Up Multi-Year Cryptoys Partnership With Nascar
Disney/Pixar Release Nascar Products for #CarsWeek
Disney and Pixar’s Cars Week is back, leading up to this year’s Daytona 500 on Feb. 14, with all new products and activations inspired by popular real-life NASCAR drivers and iconic Disney and Pixar’s Cars characters. Disney says its classic Cars characters like Lightning McQueen, Jackson Storm, Mater, Luigi and Guido have been "NASCAR-ified," and some of the most notable … [Read more...] about Disney/Pixar Release Nascar Products for #CarsWeek
M&A & CSR
Contact the editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com Apple nabs the rights to the late Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts brand following a highly competitive bidding process. The deal will see Apple team with DHX, which already has a stake in the Peanuts franchise, to produce upcoming projects, including new specials and animated shorts, exclusively for Apple TV. Under the new … [Read more...] about M&A & CSR
Who’s News—8/13/2018
Are you hiring—or being promoted, changing jobs, retiring, launching a new company, or otherwise changing your employment? Contact the Editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com to announce the news in our next issue of Who's News. FremantleMedia names Jennifer Mullin its new CEO as of Sept. 1. Mullin has been CEO of FremantleMedia North America, the company’s largest unit, since … [Read more...] about Who’s News—8/13/2018
M&A & Restructuring
Newell Brands continues its restructuring efforts under an expanded accelerated transformation plan, which includes the divesting of two more brands and applying all after-tax proceeds (an estimated $10 billion) from its divestitures to debt. Jostens and Pure Fishing are added to the chopping block along with non-core businesses Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Rubbermaid … [Read more...] about M&A & Restructuring
Who’s News—4/23/2018
Are you hiring—or being promoted, changing jobs, retiring, launching a new company, or otherwise changing your employment? Email Jen at jen@plainlanguagemedia.com and we'll announce the news in our next issue of Who's News. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur L. Ross designates LMCA Founder & CEO Allan Feldman a member of the New York District Export Council. As an appointed … [Read more...] about Who’s News—4/23/2018
Who’s News—2/19/2018
Are you hiring—or being promoted, changing jobs, retiring, launching a new company, or otherwise changing your employment? Email Jen at jen@plainlanguagemedia.com and we'll announce the news in our next issue of Who's News. Sanrio names Craig Takiguchi as their new COO. Having previously headed up new business development, Craig brings a new vision for expansion into … [Read more...] about Who’s News—2/19/2018
4.8% Growth in Retail Sales of Sports-Licensed Goods in 2015: Stellar Years for MLB, NBA, NASCAR and MLS
No Olympics? No problem. Sports licensing still thrived in 2015 at just below $14.8 billion in U.S./Canada sales, according to TLL's Annual Licensing Business Survey. For the second year in a row, sports outperformed every other sector with the exception of entertainment. Its 4.8% increase was double U.S. GDP growth (2.6%) and easily exceeded the 3.6% overall industry-wide … [Read more...] about 4.8% Growth in Retail Sales of Sports-Licensed Goods in 2015: Stellar Years for MLB, NBA, NASCAR and MLS
NASCAR Looks to Diversify Its Fan Base
By Glenn S. Demby, Esq. Last week's piece about NASCAR's efforts to reach out to women and minorities included a couple of inaccuracies that we'd like to correct: Average household income of NASCAR fans is $71,000 (via Nielsen Scarborough), not under $50,000 as we reported The note about Danica Patrick's taking the poll in her "first race," is incorrect. Although Danica … [Read more...] about NASCAR Looks to Diversify Its Fan Base