Estate licensing includes deceased celebrities who would fall under the “Celebrities” category in life. Deceased celebrities whose licensing strategies remain the same in death as in life, primarily musicians, artists, and athletes, remain in “Music,” “Art,” and “Sports,” respectively. There are a few exceptions: Celebrities that started in one of those categories but have come to transcend it are included here. Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley would be examples.
The bulk of estate licensing for many individuals in “Estates” historically has been in the promotional arena (which we do not tally), though, as for living celebrities, there can be a merchandise component to such programs. Traditional, brand-driven licensed merchandise programs are increasingly common, however.
Click to view Retail Sales of Licensed Merchandise, Based on Estate Properties.
Representative properties: Abbott & Costello, Humphrey Bogart, Charlie Chaplin, James Dean, Albert Einstein, Larry Harmon/Bozo the Clown, Bruce Lee, Bob Marley, Marilyn Monroe, Martin Luther King, Jr., Bettie Page, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, John Wayne, Wright Brothers, Malcolm X.