The Licensing Letter

Mergers & Acquisitions

Sony’s Funimation Acquires Crunchyroll from AT&T  

Sony Pictures Entertainment took a major step to become  the leader in the world of anime, completing its planned acquisition of Crunchyroll. Sony acquired Crunchyroll from AT&T through its Funimation Global Group, which is already one of the world's largest anime entertainment companies, for over $1 billion. Funimation is a joint venture between SPE and Sony Music … [Read more...] about Sony’s Funimation Acquires Crunchyroll from AT&T  

Levi Strauss Acquiring Beyond Yoga

The Levi Strauss Company, better known for cowboy-worthy blue jeans, is making a play in the activewear market, as it agreed to buy Beyond Yoga for an undisclosed sum. CNBC reports that, in a deal expected to close by the end of the year, Levi estimates the acquisition will add more than $100 million to its net revenue next fiscal year, and will immediately bolster its … [Read more...] about Levi Strauss Acquiring Beyond Yoga

Authentic Brands Group Files For $10 Billion IPO

Authentic Brands Group has filed for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) that values the global licensing giant at $10 billion. ABG owns several fashion and sports brands around the world, and has now filed papers stating its intention to sell $100 million worth of stock at a valuation of roughly $10 billion. However, the number of shares to be offered is likely just a benchmark, … [Read more...] about Authentic Brands Group Files For $10 Billion IPO

MDR Launches Global eSports, Interactive Entertainment Division

MDR Brand Management this week launched a global esports and interactive entertainment division called NIVO Management. NIVO operates as a standalone business, but the new division will benefit from the international footprint of MDR Brand Management, the company says. MDR now operates in 25 locations around the world. The company says NIVO Management is currently working on … [Read more...] about MDR Launches Global eSports, Interactive Entertainment Division

Iconix Plans To Go Private After Controversial Acquisition Deal

Iconix Brand Group, Inc., which owns several well known brands such as Joe Boxer, Buffalo Jeans, Mossimo and London Fog, among several others, will become a private company after the board accepted an acquisition offer from Lancer Capital LLC. However, two major law firms have announced they are launching investigations into the deal on behalf of shareholders, with one saying … [Read more...] about Iconix Plans To Go Private After Controversial Acquisition Deal

Merged WarnerMedia/Discovery Rebranded

Two weeks after the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery, the new company's CEO David Zaslav has revealed the streaming service will now be known as Warner Bros. Discovery, tipping the hat to the history of both parties. Zaslav unveiled the new name and a new logo to staff (pictured), and also worked in a tagline for the new entity, borrowing the line "The stuff that dreams are … [Read more...] about Merged WarnerMedia/Discovery Rebranded

Amazon Shakes Up Streaming With MGM Acquisition

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief MGM's roaring lion is now purring happily in the Amazon stable, after the eCommerce giant acquired the historic film studio in a critical, $8.45 billion deal. That sum makes the MGM acquisition the second largest in Amazon's history, but Jeff Bezos and crew are betting their investment will pay off as part of the company's strategy to … [Read more...] about Amazon Shakes Up Streaming With MGM Acquisition

Who’s News: Stephanie Kupperman Launches Licensing Agency

Stephanie Kupperman, named a "rising star" of the industry by Licensing International, is now running her own agency called Licensing 360. "Licensing 360 is a full-service merchandise licensing agency, specializing in extending entertainment brands into powerful worldwide consumer product programs," said Kupperman. "The agency’s goal is to offer brands a tailored, … [Read more...] about Who’s News: Stephanie Kupperman Launches Licensing Agency

Amazon Bidding For Acquisition of MGM

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief US tech and e-commerce giant Amazon is reportedly negotiating a deal to buy out the iconic MGM film studio for roughly $9 billion, according to an original report by industry publication Variety. Amazon, which also owns one of the world's largest streaming video services in Amazon Prime, is said to be several weeks into the talks, which are … [Read more...] about Amazon Bidding For Acquisition of MGM