By Gary Symons, TLL Editor in Chief The Bob Dylan music deal with Universal Music has shown that for musicians and music companies, the times truly are a’changin’. But, in truth, that change was coming long before Universal stroked a check for a reported $300 million to $400 million, in return for Dylan’s entire music catalog of roughly 600 songs. Also in December Fleetwood … [Read more...] about Special Report: The Evolution of Music Licensing
Celebrity
Neil Young to Cash In on Music Catalogs
Canadian rock star and songwriter Neil Young is out of the blue, and heavily into the black, after selling a 50 per cent interest in his music catalog for an estimated $150 million US. As noted in this week's Special Report from The Licensing Letter, the past four years and 2020 in particular have seen a massive increase in the value and scale of music catalog deals. Sales … [Read more...] about Neil Young to Cash In on Music Catalogs
“Makeup junkie” Halsey Launches Own Beauty Line
Most people, including her fans, aren't aware that hit singer/songwriter Halsey is a self-taught makeup artist, so it makes sense she's launching her own beauty line on Jan. 25 under the brand name about-face. "Makeup is an art and art is about happy accidents, not any one ideal of perfection," said Halsey, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of about-face. "I always feel the … [Read more...] about “Makeup junkie” Halsey Launches Own Beauty Line
Fashion Licensing Pioneer Ruth McCarthy Manton Dies at 95
Ruth McCarthy Manton, a pioneer in the business of fashion licensing, passed away at her home on Christmas Eve. Manton was also among the first female fashion journalists in the industry, but it was her innovative work after founding Aries Design Management that made her a force to be reckoned with in the licensing business. Manton's idea was to link up top designers directly … [Read more...] about Fashion Licensing Pioneer Ruth McCarthy Manton Dies at 95
#1 TikTok Star Charli D’Amelio and Family Get Hulu Series
Charli D'Amelio must have one of the fastest arcs to stardom of all time, rocketing to 100 million followers as the top TikTok user, and now getting a series on Hulu with her sister Dixie (also a TikTok star of note), and their parents Heidi and Marc. “The D’Amelio Show” will air on Hulu in 2021 as an eight-episode docuseries that follows “the first family of TikTok” as they … [Read more...] about #1 TikTok Star Charli D’Amelio and Family Get Hulu Series
Bad Boys Ride Together, Die Together, and License Merch Together
Is it really possible that it's only now, 25 years after the first Bad Boys movie dropped, that one can actually buy Bad Boys' merch? Apparently so, and shoppers have only the week before Christmas to get their hands on the Will Smith/Martin Lawrence-themed clothing line at an online pop-up shop, the badboysmoviestore.com. In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the first … [Read more...] about Bad Boys Ride Together, Die Together, and License Merch Together
Spotify Crowns Its Year With Royal Podcast Deal
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Photo by Mark Jones The audio streaming leader Spotify has literally placed a crown on the year 2020, as its burgeoning podcast business signed a multi-year partnership with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The royal couple recently formed Archewell Audio, and that company will now produce regular podcasts … [Read more...] about Spotify Crowns Its Year With Royal Podcast Deal
Bruce Lee and Me: Apparel that Honors the Past While Making a Better Future
Guest Column by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Aristotle said that a friend is a single soul dwelling in two bodies. Bruce Lee and I were friends like that but, man, our two bodies couldn’t have been more different. Bruce was a 5’8” Chinese-American martial artist and I was a 7’2” African-American basketball player. There were other differences: he was raised in Hong Kong, I was raised in … [Read more...] about Bruce Lee and Me: Apparel that Honors the Past While Making a Better Future
Plaster Partners Signs Instagram Fitness Influencer Isaac Boots
Plaster Partners, the lifestyle agency founded by Michael Catalano and Brittany Straede, has announced the signing of Instagram fitness star Isaac Boots for exclusive management. Boots, whose real name is Isaac Calpito, is a celebrity trainer and choreographer who was dubbed the “breakout star of virtual fitness” by The New York Times earlier this year. Calpito has an … [Read more...] about Plaster Partners Signs Instagram Fitness Influencer Isaac Boots
Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Gets Into Book Biz With Random House
Recording artist and producer Jay-Z is getting into the book publishing business, and in a big way, thanks to a deal with Random House. The publishing giant announced this week the launch of a new publishing imprint with Roc Nation, the entertainment company founded by Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter. Called Roc Lit 101, the imprint will be devoted to publishing books at "... the dynamic … [Read more...] about Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Gets Into Book Biz With Random House