By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter The licensing and brand giant IMG has acquired a majority stake in the collector car auction and live events company Barrett-Jackson. Barrett-Jackson’s events and high-energy auctions are known to attract many auto collectors, fans and celebrities, as well as millions of TV viewers. Its flagship Scottsdale event, founded in 1971, auctions … [Read more...] about Licensing Mergers: IMG Acquires Auction and Live Events Company
Mergers & Acquisitions
Crunchyroll Acquires North America’s Largest Anime Retailer
The anime streamer Crunchyroll has completed a strategic acquisition of Right Stuf, considered the largest retailer of anime products in North America. The Sony-owned streaming service announced on Aug. 4 that it had purchased Right Stuf, just ahead of the company's annual Crunchyroll Expo event. Pricing and other terms were not disclosed publicly. The Right Stuf acquisition … [Read more...] about Crunchyroll Acquires North America’s Largest Anime Retailer
Technology: Walmart Expands Its Metaverse Ambitions
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Walmart is placing its bets on metaverse technologies as it announced the acquisition of an AR developer, and launched new augmented reality shopping experiences. The latter initiative sees Walmart updating its customer shopping app with two new augmented reality (AR) solutions, which are rolling out this month on its iOS app. The new feature … [Read more...] about Technology: Walmart Expands Its Metaverse Ambitions
Collectibles Licensing: Funko Acquires Pop Culture Company Mondo
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter The collectible giant Funko, Inc. has acquired Mondo, a pop culture company that creates iconic collectibles and products. Mondo is best known for its limited-edition vinyl records and screen-printed posters. Through collaborations with award-winning artists and studios, the company creates quality licensed merchandise and products. Mondo … [Read more...] about Collectibles Licensing: Funko Acquires Pop Culture Company Mondo
Feature Report: The Back Story of Hasbro’s Boardroom Victory Over Alta Fox
Activist Investor Says Hasbro Board Needs To Go, But The Licensing Letter's Analysis Shows Reason for Optimism By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Hasbro says shareholders voted by "a substantial margin" to re-elect all of 13 of the company's current directors. The apparent victory, released as preliminary results of the 2022 Annual Meeting, was a rebuke to a challenge by … [Read more...] about Feature Report: The Back Story of Hasbro’s Boardroom Victory Over Alta Fox
Universal Music Centralizes Rosters for Bravado and Epic Rights
Bravado, Universal Music Group has announced the centralization of both Bravado and Epic Rights licensing rosters. Bravado acquired Epic Rights in 2019 and the new structure includes the expanded purview of Epic Rights’ SVP Global Licensing. Lisa Streff will oversee global licensing strategies across both companies. Streff will work closely with the existing Bravado and Epic … [Read more...] about Universal Music Centralizes Rosters for Bravado and Epic Rights
Licensing Partnerships: LMCA and Stobbs Form Joint Venture in Europe
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The brand licensing agency LMCA is expanding into Europe in an innovative partnership with the IP law firm Stobbs. The new partners say their collaboration will offer clients in Europe a powerful new way to promote and protect their brands. LMCA is one of the world's largest licensing agencies, with its HQ in New York and branch offices in … [Read more...] about Licensing Partnerships: LMCA and Stobbs Form Joint Venture in Europe
Acquisitions: Hasbro Brings D&D Beyond Into Its Corporate Dungeon
Purchase of D&D Beyond to Add Nearly 10 Million Players to Digital Tabletop Ecosystem—The Fastest-Growing Dungeons & Dragons Category Hasbro says it is acquiring D&D Beyond, the leading digital toolset and game companion for the company’s groundbreaking fantasy gaming franchise Dungeons & Dragons. D&D Beyond is currently owned by Fandom, the world’s … [Read more...] about Acquisitions: Hasbro Brings D&D Beyond Into Its Corporate Dungeon
CAA Completes Takeover of CAA-Global Brands Group
Creative Artists Agency (CAA) says it has completed its takeover of CAA-GBG Global Brand Management Group. CAA-GBG was originally created as a joint operation between CAA and holding company Global Brands Group in 2016. The two companies founded their joint venture in 2016, and became a major player in brand licensing. Clients included Budweiser, Coca-Cola, The Cheesecake … [Read more...] about CAA Completes Takeover of CAA-Global Brands Group
Netflix To Acquire Stranger Things’ Developer Next Games
Netflix is making another big move in the gaming space, signing an agreement to acquire Finnish developer Next Games. Under the terms of the agreement, Netflix will commence a tender offer to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Next Games. Pursuant to the offer, Next Games shareholders would receive €2.1 ($2.30 US) in cash per share of Next Games, for a total … [Read more...] about Netflix To Acquire Stranger Things’ Developer Next Games