Sony Pictures will restyle the Spider-Man franchise in partnership with Marvel Studios, returning the web slinger to the Marvel universe. Sony has owned the movie rights to Spider-Man since 1999, when it bought them from Marvel (now owned by Disney). The deal is expected to produce a new Spidey film due in theaters in summer 2017. Before then, Spider-Man will appear in upcoming … [Read more...] about Marvel Back in Spidey Web
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Time For Retail
Time Inc.’s fashion and beauty brands InStyle and Marie Claire are going to be spending a bit more time in the shops. JCPenney will open "The Salon by InStyle" in 15 test locations this summer, including flagship locations in Dallas and Los Angeles, before pursuing a nationwide rebranding of its 850 in-store salons next year. InStyle readers account for 9% of all beauty … [Read more...] about Time For Retail
Target Stocks Kinky Toys
Mainstream retailers including Target and Amazon got in the mood for the Fifty Shades of Grey movie’s Valentine’s weekend opening by stocking an unconventional variety of officially licensed merchandise tied to the sexually charged property. More power to them. If Americans buy lingerie at Costco, why not sex toys at Target? But blogs including Jezebel took Target to task … [Read more...] about Target Stocks Kinky Toys
Ralph Lauren Bucks the Buck
Conventional wisdom says that the strong dollar is making it harder to sell luxury fashion goods abroad. Or is it? Ralph Lauren reported weaker than expected third quarter earnings, but while U.S. sales flattened out, total growth in international sales revenues topped double-digits (in current currency), thanks to robust performances in both Europe and China. RL is taking … [Read more...] about Ralph Lauren Bucks the Buck
The 4 Toy Licensing Blockbuster Movies to Watch in 2015
“Frozen” was a licenser’s dream and a big reason that U.S. retail licensed toys sales grew 7% in 2014 ($5.7 billion), according to the NPD Group. But expectations for 2015 are even greater, thanks to a quartet of Hollywood blockbusters that have enormous potential for licensed toys and other merchandise. Here’s a rundown of each film by release date and the toy licensing … [Read more...] about The 4 Toy Licensing Blockbuster Movies to Watch in 2015
Bugs Back in Jordan’s Court
Nike’s Jordan Brand and Looney Tunes licensor Warner Bros. Consumer Products are poised to relaunch the iconic Hare Jordan campaign for the Air Jordan franchise’s 30th anniversary. Hare Jordan products will start hitting retail in the spring. Nike’s first Hare Jordan commercial teaming Looney Tunes’ Bugs Bunny and the Chicago Bulls’ Michael Jordan, fresh off his first NBA … [Read more...] about Bugs Back in Jordan’s Court
Streaming of TV Content & Its Implications for Consumer Licensing
TV has and will continue to have a dramatic effect on consumer licensing. Accordingly, you need to be aware of the dramatic changes in the way consumers are discovering new TV content and how they may impact the effectiveness of your licensing initiatives. The CEA Study Historically, TV broadcasting and cable have functioned as both free flowing sources of entertainment … [Read more...] about Streaming of TV Content & Its Implications for Consumer Licensing
Who’s News
Jason Rice is leaving Turner Broadcasting Systems where he served as licensing director for Cartoon Network to become the director of brand licensing for SEGA Europe. He will work with SEGA Europe’s newly hired marketing director Jon Rooke to grow the company’s licensing portfolio. Elliot Lederman is the new Vice President, Retail Development for CPLG North America. His … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Who’s News
Cheryl Stoebenau, President of CAS Marketing, is elected to the LIMA Licensing Hall of Fame in recognition of her sustained excellence as a licensing agent and charitable work for children. Richard Dickson is promoted to president and chief brands officer of Mattel. In addition to continuing to oversee marketing of core Mattel and Fisher-Price properties, he will be … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Using Licensed Properties to Make New Licensed Properties
It's a toy! It's a movie! No, wait, it's a toy! … It's common for entertainment properties to spawn toys and for toys to spawn entertainment properties. Less common is for entertainment properties to inspire toys, which then inspire new entertainment properties, which then, in turn, inspire new toys. But it's happening. A leading example of the new paradigm is the … [Read more...] about Using Licensed Properties to Make New Licensed Properties