The Licensing Letter

NHL

EA and the NHL Partner with the IIHF Women’s League for EA Sports NHL 23

By Allison WatkinsonTLL Reporter Electronic Arts and the NHL have released a new entry to the EA Sports NHL franchise featuring players from the IIHF Women's League. For the first time in the video game franchise's history, IIHF World Women's Championship members, such as Team Canada’s Sarah Nurse, can be included in the same Hockey Ultimate Team as male players. The IIHF … [Read more...] about EA and the NHL Partner with the IIHF Women’s League for EA Sports NHL 23

The NHL and Kool Karz Playground Partner on Zamboni Ride-On Toy

By Allison WatkinsonTLL ReporterThe NHL and The Zamboni Company have partnered with Kool Karz Playground to launch the world’s first electric Zamboni ride-on toy. After many years in development, the co-branded Kool Karz NHL Zamboni Ride-On Toy has been officially released in time for the 2022-23 NHL season. “This product has been decades in the making,” said Paula Coony, Brand … [Read more...] about The NHL and Kool Karz Playground Partner on Zamboni Ride-On Toy

Busy Day as EA Inks Deals with UFC and the NHL

Gaming giant Electronic Arts (EA) has announced two new multiyear extensions of its agreements with the UFC and the NHL, allowing the company to continue putting out its popular sport simulation games on all platforms. The NHL and the NHL Players Association (NHLPA) announced the renewal for EA Sports NHL on Nov. 5, building on the momentum for the franchise. “We are thrilled … [Read more...] about Busy Day as EA Inks Deals with UFC and the NHL

Experiential & Promotional Roundup

Contact the Editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com. Pantone's 2019 color of the year is Living Coral, a "nurturing" hue that is meant to evoke "lighthearted activity" and "playful expression." Crayola brings children at Chick-fil-A restaurants aseries of five premium toys to encourage creativity and fun. The program is supported by a micro-site on Crayola.com and marketing … [Read more...] about Experiential & Promotional Roundup

M&A & Experiential

American households are loading up on credit card debt, according to data from the Federal Reserve and a related study by WalletHub. By the end of 2017, credit card debt in the U.S. reached $1.01 trillion, beating out the previous record of $984 billion at the end of 2008 and the start of 2009, the tipping point of the Great Recession. Just this past holiday season, WalletHub … [Read more...] about M&A & Experiential

Sports: A Closer Look

Licensed retail sales of sports-based merchandise grew 4.3% in 2016 to reach $15.4 billion in the U.S./Canada—the sixth straight year of sustained growth. This year, it remains to be seen if this kind of momentum can be sustained, at least in the first quarter—in part because the impact of the two biggest sporting events, the Super Bowl and the Winter Olympics, remains … [Read more...] about Sports: A Closer Look

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

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

Pro Sports Licensed Retail Sales Score 5% Increase in 2014: Most Leagues Grow, Driven by Apparel

This is a golden age for pro sports in North America. You can see it in not only the record TV ratings and attendance figures, but also at the cash registers. According to The Licensing Letter's Annual Licensing Business Survey , retail sales of licensed sports goods topped $14.1 billion in 2014. Sports properties now account for 14.1% of all licensed goods sold in the U.S. and … [Read more...] about Pro Sports Licensed Retail Sales Score 5% Increase in 2014: Most Leagues Grow, Driven by Apparel