The Licensing Letter

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Spotify, Apple and Other Streamers Sign Landmark Music Royalty Agreement

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Musicians and music streamers have come to what some call an historic new agreement on higher royalty rates. The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA), the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), and the Digital Media Association (DiMA) announced they've agreed to a settlement for certain mechanical streaming rates … [Read more...] about Spotify, Apple and Other Streamers Sign Landmark Music Royalty Agreement

Canadian Bill Could Change the Game for Streaming Services

By Gary Symons Nov. 4, 2020 The federal government in Canada has tabled a bill proposing amendments to its Broadcasting Act that will force major changes for streaming services like Netflix, Crave, Disney+, Amazon Prime and Spotify, as well as for non-Canadian licensees.  The changes affect a market of 39 million people - about the size of California - and will result in … [Read more...] about Canadian Bill Could Change the Game for Streaming Services

Celebrating the Beauty in Diversity

Contact the editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com Kimora Lee Simmons Leissner reclaims Baby Phat, her old streetwear brand created to bring a voice to women of color in fashion, in part because of the influence of daughters Ming Lee (19) and Aoki Lee (16). Having personally purchased the label under undisclosed circumstances, she will relaunch Baby Phat by summer of this … [Read more...] about Celebrating the Beauty in Diversity

Digital Deets: Retail, Social & Gaming Updates

Gen Z is shopping more frequently and spending more on fashion than Millennials are, according to a study from LIM College. Although the two generations tend to align in overall values, Gen Zers tend to appreciate the material things in life, including shopping at malls and physical stores. It's not only Gen Z—this last holiday season, everyone appreciated the convenience of … [Read more...] about Digital Deets: Retail, Social & Gaming Updates

Retail Watch: Thanksgiving, Black Friday & Other Trends

Contact the Editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com. Here are the top trends and data points to help you digest this five-day holiday weekend. This story has been updated for Dec. 3, 2018 to incorporate additional data, especially for Cyber Monday. The National Retail Federation (NRF) predicts that holiday sales, both in-store and online, will increase anywhere from 4.3% to … [Read more...] about Retail Watch: Thanksgiving, Black Friday & Other Trends

Experiential & Content Initiatives: From Theme Parks to Boxing Matches

Contact the Editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com. CBS Films enters into an exclusive national partnership with Six Flags Entertainment for a unique Halloween theme park experience that brings horror flick Hell Fest to life in CA, NJ, and IL. New themes areas include The Mausoleum, an increasingly narrow hall that forces guests to feel the touch of death; The Mask Room, a … [Read more...] about Experiential & Content Initiatives: From Theme Parks to Boxing Matches

Esports Watch: New Leagues & Expansions

Goldman Sachs reports that the esports market will see revenues hit $2.17 billion by 2023, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.6%, according to a Reuters report. The revenue total includes media rights, ticket sales, merchandise, sponsorship, publisher fees, and direct advertisement. Talent agency UTA makes two acquisitions in the esports area: Press X, an esports talent … [Read more...] about Esports Watch: New Leagues & Expansions

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

Entertainment in Experiential & Social

Sanrio joins forces with Snapchat to bring over 30 character stickers to the app, including Hello Kitty, My Melody, Badtz-Maru, Chococat, and Keroppi. The month-long partnership coincides with Sanrio Character Ranking 2017, an annual competition where fans get the chance to vote for their favorite Sanrio character. Each sticker used will count as a vote for the chosen … [Read more...] about Entertainment in Experiential & Social

Google, YT & Microsoft MVPs Amongst Tech Brands

The title of most powerful tech brand worldwide goes to Google for the first time in six years, according to Brand Finance, which ranks brands based on its own index. The previous No. 1 spot was occupied by Apple, but the brand valuation firm has firmly devalued the giant by $38.7 billion as optimism around Apple's ability to innovate and sustain revenue growth wane. Overall, … [Read more...] about Google, YT & Microsoft MVPs Amongst Tech Brands