The age-old question is re-examined: DC or Marvel? We've restated the 2014 retail sales figures for Batman, Avengers, and Superman to reflect the relative rankings between the four superhero brands on the $100 million-plus list. This is how the top superheroes rank up in 2015 for licensed retail sales in the U.S./Canada: Batman (No. 11 on the $100 million list) Spider-Man … [Read more...] about Superheroes Revisited: Batman Overtakes Spider-Man
Warner Bros.
Mergers & Acquisitions
The leading bidder for collegiate sports marketing agency Learfield Communications is now TPG Capital. As the majority stake owner of CAA, TPG plans to merge the two agencies if its rumored $1.2–1.3 billion bid is successful. UBM, LIMA, and Alifish—the licensing and entertainment business unit of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba—join forces. In addition to online licensing … [Read more...] about Mergers & Acquisitions
Halloween Spending Up; Entertainment Tops Costume Choices
By Karina Masolova Halloween spending is expected to reach an all-time high this year, according to the National Retail Foundation (NRF)'s Halloween Spending Survey; total spending is expected to reach $8.4 billion, up 21.7% from $6.9 billion in 2015. The last time sales came close was in 2012, at a previous high of $8.0 billion. Over 171 million Americans expected to celebrate … [Read more...] about Halloween Spending Up; Entertainment Tops Costume Choices
Content & Experiential Roundup
Mattel and Otoy join force to bring original episodic "Batman: The Animated Series" content to the View-Master VR Viewer this fall. The new content is developed in partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros.’ digital studio Blue Ribbon Content. Cartoon Network will release a new Adventure Time virtual reality mobile game and a Jake the … [Read more...] about Content & Experiential Roundup
Who’s News
Andrew Cooper is the new President of Sequential Brands Group.HMD global Oy appoints Pekka Rantala CMO. Following NBCUniversal’s acquisition of DreamWorks Animation, Universal Filmed Entertainment Group restructures its management team. Vince Klaseus leads the combined Universal and DreamWorks Animation games, digital and consumer products divisions. Margie Cohn helms the … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Cursed Child Blesses Retail
The numbers are in for the latest addition to J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World franchise, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts 1 & 2, and the book is strongly positioned to break records. The franchise will further grow with the upcoming film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, slated for release on November 18, 2016. Although the Harry Potter licensing program has … [Read more...] about Cursed Child Blesses Retail
Top Entertainment/Character Properties Drive Comics Sales Above $1 Billion
Pow! Retail sales of comics and graphic novels in the U.S. and Canada grew 10% in 2015, passing $1 billion for the first time in decades, driven by top entertainment/character properties including Star Wars. The new market size analysis comes from comic book data specialist Comichron and online retail trade magazine ICv2 just before giant Comic-Con International opens next … [Read more...] about Top Entertainment/Character Properties Drive Comics Sales Above $1 Billion
Who’s News
Jeffrey Godsick steps down as President of Fox Consumer Products to join Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group as EVP Worldwide Partnerships. Genius Brands Intl. promotes Stone Newman to President Global Consumer Products & Marketing. Soo Koo is appointed CCO at Warner Bros. Consumer Products. Michael Carrington steps down as CEO of Zodiak Kids Studios to take the helm of … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Entertainment/Character Once Again Fastest-Growing Property Type in 2015
By Marcy Magiera Entertainment/character licensing put on a display of superhero strength and speed in 2015, growing 8.0% to dash past $11 billion in retail sales in the U.S. and Canada, according to The Licensing Letter’s Annual Licensing Business Survey. It was the property type’s third consecutive year of notable growth: after five years of decline from 2008 through 2012, … [Read more...] about Entertainment/Character Once Again Fastest-Growing Property Type in 2015
Interactive Branding
Experiential licensing, including theme parks, touring exhibitions and other location-based attractions can provide both revenue and ongoing exposure to build or maintain relationships with fans. Here are some of the latest deals: Marvel partnered with Victory Hill Exhibitions to open the Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N.—an experience that promises to give fans a look at intelligence … [Read more...] about Interactive Branding