The Licensing Letter

WWE

Mergers: UFC Tag Teams With WWE to Form $21 Billion Sports Company

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Big news in sports licensing this week as UFC announced it has agreed to merge with fellow pugilistic company WWE. The deal would see UFC parent Endeavor Group Holdings holding a 51% controlling interest in the new company, while existing WWE shareholders will own a 49% interest. It combines the world's leading mixed martial arts … [Read more...] about Mergers: UFC Tag Teams With WWE to Form $21 Billion Sports Company

Who’s News: July 2020

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. Direct contact information is made available through TLL's Licensing Sourcebook Online (subscription required). Spin Master hires Heather Oster as … [Read more...] about Who’s News: July 2020

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!

Who’s News—January 2019

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. 1/14/2019 Margie Cohn, currently President of DreamWorks Animation Television, takes on the additional role of President of DreamWorks Animation. Cohn … [Read more...] about Who’s News—January 2019

Roundup: Sports & Sportswear News

Contact the Editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com. Athletic specialty retailer Hibbett Sports will acquire City Gear, a city specialty retailer of premium athletic footwear, apparel, and accessories with 135 stores in 15 states, by early December. The transaction includes $88 million in cash to be paid at closing and the potential for up to $25 million in additional … [Read more...] about Roundup: Sports & Sportswear News

37 Entertainment/Character Brands Earned Over $100 MM in the U.S./Canada

Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com This year, a total of 37 properties made TLL’s annual list of entertainment/character brands that generated over $100 million in licensed retail sales in the U.S./Canada for 2017. Last year, TLL tracked 46 brands that qualified for the list based on 2016 sales. And the year before that, 44 brands made the list based on estimated … [Read more...] about 37 Entertainment/Character Brands Earned Over $100 MM in the U.S./Canada

Who’s News—3/19/2018

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. Scott Halpern is promoted to Director North American Licensing at WWE. Funko hires Molly Hartney as CMO & SVP E-commerce. Hartney is responsible for … [Read more...] about Who’s News—3/19/2018

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