US toy giant Mattel has partnered with Sanrio to create a branding dynamo, combining the iconic Barbie line with the globally popular Hello Kitty brand for the first time. The two companies say they will collaborate on the development of a colourful and contemporary product line aimed at kids and adults that will span accessories, apparel, health and beauty, and footwear. The … [Read more...] about Cuteness Overload: Barbie Partners with Hello Kitty
Sanrio
Retail Sales of Licensed Merchandise Based on $100MM+ Entertainment/Character Properties
This chart was most recencently updated November 2019 in conjunction with an analysis of entertainment/character properties generating more than $100 million in licensed retail sales in the U.S. and Canada. For more information on TLL's methodology, click here. … [Read more...] about Retail Sales of Licensed Merchandise Based on $100MM+ Entertainment/Character Properties
Planned Feature Films with Licensing Potential
Throughout the year, we feature upcoming movie properties with potential for licensing. All of the release dates for movies on the list have been checked against multiple sources, but there is still a high probability dates will change. The further in the future a film is, the more likely its release date is to move. Don't see a property that should be featured here? Contact … [Read more...] about Planned Feature Films with Licensing Potential
What’s the [Toy] Story? Same as Last Year, Just Better!
Contact the editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com Straight from the floor of New York Toy Fair, TLL brings you the latest and greatest in toy trends. They just happen to be the same as last year's—only more nuanced, thoughtful, and developed. The good news this year: No one's freaking out about the ability of America's largest toy retailer to actually pay its vendors. More … [Read more...] about What’s the [Toy] Story? Same as Last Year, Just Better!
Retail & Experiential: Theme Parks, Amazon Go & More
A Nickelodeon theme park is headed to the Mall of China in Chongqing, China. The 28,000 sq. meter (or just over 300 sq. ft.) park will showcase 29 attractions and 14 Nick properties, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and PAW Patrol. The theme park is slated to open in 2020. Animaccord and Italian theme park Leolandia will open a … [Read more...] about Retail & Experiential: Theme Parks, Amazon Go & More
Who’s News—3/5/2018
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. Blizzard Entertainment appoints Daniel Siegel to the newly created position of Head Esports Licensing. Siegel will help drive extended investment in the … [Read more...] about Who’s News—3/5/2018
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
New Film & Media
Hasbro signs a new 5 year exclusive deal for movie and television development with Paramount. The development will be done by Hasbro’s newly organized Allspark Pictures and Allspark Animation, with Paramount distributing the films and TV series developed. The two companies have previously collaborated on five Transformers and two G.I. Joe films. Fox Animation acquires the … [Read more...] about New Film & Media
Looking Back: A History of the $100M+ Entertainment/Character Brand List
By Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com As we update our annual list of entertainment/character properties that generate over $100 million in licensed retail sales in the U.S./Canada, let's take a moment to look back through the history of the list and its major trends. Namely: The $100 million club is getting bigger, and The immense staying power of brands … [Read more...] about Looking Back: A History of the $100M+ Entertainment/Character Brand List
M&A & Promotions
CORRECTION: On Sept. 9, we reported a new “patent cross-licensing” deal between Scientific Games and Intl. Game Technology (IGT). The agreement only covers "game features" patents, and does not, as our earlier story might have suggested, cover other types of intellectual property such as brand licenses. Learfield and IMG make their union official, formally announcing a … [Read more...] about M&A & Promotions