Sony Pictures Entertainment’s consumer products division is establishing a Shanghai-based licensing office with Sabrina Gu leading direct deals in the territory as Director Consumer Products China. Gu continues to dual-report to Joseph Liao, CMO Beijing, and Jamie Stevens, EVP Worldwide Consumer Products. Disney Chairman & CEO Robert Iger resigns from the White House … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Trade Shows
Licensing Expo: Focus, Digital & More
To TLL's North American readers, welcome back from your long holiday weekend. This last week we saw 5,000 brands at the 2017 Licensing Expo in Las Vegas. Perhaps because of the date shift—the show landed a month earlier this year—there was noticeably less foot traffic on the floor for all three days. Every year, I get asked, "What were the top brands?" The answer this year the … [Read more...] about Licensing Expo: Focus, Digital & More
New Shows, Owners and Opportunities
TLL will be at Licensing Expo in Vegas at booth #G-65! Schedule an appointment by emailing us—our booth, or yours? Be sure to stop by and save on these to-be-released reports: 2017 Licensing Data Book 2017 Royalty Report 2017 Licensing Data Bank 2017 Licensing Letter Sourcebook Licensing Letter Sourcebook Online You'll also have the chance to enter our drawing and win a … [Read more...] about New Shows, Owners and Opportunities
Toy Fair 2017: Shrink Rays, Traditional Play & Robotics
To all those who attended North American Intl. Toy Fair in New York—hope you had a great show! This year was bigger than ever, with expanded floor space for new exhibitors and packed crowds during the weekend. The Toy Industry Association (TIA) reported that 1,126 total exhibitors from 31 countries were in attendance this year, with 103 new faces. This last year ended with a … [Read more...] about Toy Fair 2017: Shrink Rays, Traditional Play & Robotics
CES Highlights
Some of the most interesting innovations to come out of CES 2017 embrace this year's top each trends—including voice-activated AI assistants (Amazon's Alexa takes the lead based on the number of products using the tech), self-driving cars, even bigger and thinner display screens (including TVs whose width is just under 4 mm and curved screens on laptops), and robots. Mattel … [Read more...] about CES Highlights
Franchises and the 360 Experience Dominate Vegas
Over the last week, 16,000 attendees braved triple-digit temperatures at Licensing Expo 2016 in Las Vegas. Over 150 new exhibitors entered the fray—totaling 460+ licensors and agents representing over 35 countries. See this coming Wednesday's Deal Sheet for a complete breakdown of new properties showcased and deals announced. The top trends that we'll see in licensing over … [Read more...] about Franchises and the 360 Experience Dominate Vegas
360 Degrees to Every Brand
More than ever before, consumers are demanding access to brands on multiple platforms. This is nothing new: companies around the floor have been aware of the need to develop what are now being called "360 programs," where linear and digital entertainment, live experiences like shows and theme parks, social media, advertising and consumer merchandise are all essential parts … [Read more...] about 360 Degrees to Every Brand
Licensed Housewares at IHHS
Retail sales of licensed housewares goods in the U.S. and Canada grew a 1.5% in 2015 after a flat perfomance in 2014, according to The Licensing Letter’s Annual Licensing Business Survey. And as consumer confidence in the economy grows, sales are only expected to increase. The International Home + Housewares Show (IHHS) in Chicago offers a glimpse of licensing activity in … [Read more...] about Licensed Housewares at IHHS
Brand Announcements from BLE
By Karina Masolova This year's Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) was bigger than ever, with over 300 exhibitors from 69 countries descending on London to showcase 2,500 brands. Click here to see some of the newly available and assigned brands announced at the show. From the Big Screen Dominating the exhibitor space were entertainment brands with film extensions: Disney showcased … [Read more...] about Brand Announcements from BLE
Overview of the Wearable Technology Licensing Market
Much of the wearable computing technology that stole the spotlight at the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week, including Google Glass and Apple's highly anticipated Apple Watch, are licensed products forged as a result of the partnership between technology and fashion brands. The Prospects The wearables category actually emerged at the 2014 CES. … [Read more...] about Overview of the Wearable Technology Licensing Market