The Licensing Letter

North America

Kona Ice Serves Up Some Cool Licensing with Brandgenuity

America's Top Shaved Ice Franchise Moving Into Food, Toy and Lifestyle Categories TLL Staff The shaved ice brand Kona Ice is moving into licensing, partnering with top agency Brandgenuity. The new partners say that despite summer coming to an end, the mobile food franchise's licensing activities are just starting to heat up. Kona Ice is the largest mobile food … [Read more...] about Kona Ice Serves Up Some Cool Licensing with Brandgenuity

Trump Loses Copyright Battle Over Use of Song ‘Electric Avenue’

Case Could Help Other Artists Prevent Politicians From Using Their Music Without Permission By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Presidential candidate Donald Trump lost his legal battle with singer Eddy Grant over his campaign's use of the 1983 hit song Electric Avenue. The conflict dates back to the 2020 presidential campaign, which Trump lost to current US President Joe … [Read more...] about Trump Loses Copyright Battle Over Use of Song ‘Electric Avenue’

Shaquille O’Neal and Hershey’s Announce Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies

By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Shaquille O’Neal has launched a partnership with Hershey's for a new line of oversized candies called Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies. The Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies line features two  candy types called the Shaq-A-Licious Original and the Shaq-A-Licious Sour. Packaged in green and yellow, the Shaq-A-Licious Sour variety includes tangy pineapple, … [Read more...] about Shaquille O’Neal and Hershey’s Announce Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies

Smart Move as Barbie Dumbs Down The Flip Phone

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief If you're tired of 24/7 notifications and text messages, Barbie has the phone for you. Human Mobile Devices, Europe’s largest smartphone manufacturer, has partnered with with Mattel to create the Barbie Flip Phone. The new phone caters to Gen Z and Millennials, who have been seen to decrease their time on social media in recent … [Read more...] about Smart Move as Barbie Dumbs Down The Flip Phone

Panini and Brandr Partner on Collegiate NIL Licensing

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Panini America has signed a multi-year partnership with the leading 'NIL' licensing agency The Brandr Group. The move comes as Panini works to strengthen and expand its presence and its product offerings in the Name, Image and Likeness sector. That sector got a major boost in July, 2021, when the NCAA changed its rules to allow … [Read more...] about Panini and Brandr Partner on Collegiate NIL Licensing

Bravado: Building Lasting Relationships in the Music Licensing Sector

The TLL Interview with Keith Tapperell, Bravado’s Vice-President of Licensing By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief If there’s one person in the licensing world who ignites jealousy in my soul, and whose job I would steal in a heartbeat, it’s Keith Tapperell, the VP of Licensing at Bravado. In that position, Tapperell (pictured above) works with the top music artists in … [Read more...] about Bravado: Building Lasting Relationships in the Music Licensing Sector

WiT Gearing Up For Wonder Women Award Gala Next Week

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) will host the 2024 Wonder Women Awards in Beverly Hills on September 13. WiT is the industry’s leading organization advocating for the advancement of women, and the Wonder Women Awards celebrates many of the most talented people in working in the fields of toys, entertainment, and … [Read more...] about WiT Gearing Up For Wonder Women Award Gala Next Week

Licensing Mysteries: Is Wendy’s About to Release a Real Life Krabby Patty?

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief There's a rumor floating around Bikini Bottom that Wendy's is about to release its own version of the Krabby Patty. The restaurant chain hasn't confirmed the news, but in late August a Reddit post on the r/Spongebob subreddit claimed to show a leaked internal memo between Wendy's and Paramount about creating a licensed "Krabby Patty … [Read more...] about Licensing Mysteries: Is Wendy’s About to Release a Real Life Krabby Patty?

Judge Orders Trump to Stop Using Isaac Hayes’ Song At His Rallies

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The estate of music legend Isaac Hayes won an initial victory in court, as an Atlanta judge ordered the Trump campaign to stop using the song Hold On, I'm Comin' at its events. The order came about as the result of an emergency injunction hearing in Atlanta federal court on Tuesday. The Hayes estate, headed by son Isaac Hayes III, asked the … [Read more...] about Judge Orders Trump to Stop Using Isaac Hayes’ Song At His Rallies