Hasbro opens a new film studio, Allspark Pictures, to be led by Greg Mooradian. Mooradian will begin overseeing the division's film and television production in January. Italian prodco Rainbow acquires a majority stake in entertainment media group Iven. The first collaboration is an untitled young adult TV series based on a graphic novel; the second a theatrical adaptation of … [Read more...] about New Content Generation & Experiential News
Sports
European Licensed Sales Up 1.8%; Western Europe Shines
The European territory experienced retatively flat growth (1.8%) with $32.9 billion in licensed retail sales in 2016, according to TLL's 2017 Licensing Business Survey. But behind the average, several countries out-performed worldwide average growth of 2.7% in 2016. Visit the Licensing Data Bank for more charts and data here. And contact Jen at jen@plainlanguagemedia.com for … [Read more...] about European Licensed Sales Up 1.8%; Western Europe Shines
Roundup: Experiential Initiatives
Live arena production Fast & Furious Live is set to debut on a global tour in January 2018. Produced in partnership with Universal Brand Development, Fast Live Productions, and Live Nation, the show launches in London before racing through 23 other European cities. The two-hour show features cars, locations, and scenes from the film series through state-of-the-art 3D … [Read more...] about Roundup: Experiential Initiatives
To Join, or Not to Join: Amazon’s Retail Takeover
While some brands are embracing the Amazon marketplace, others are waging war against the ecommerce giant. Brands must make a choice: Deal with the black and/or grey markets, or else become part of the white market. Online/ecommerce grew in distribution channel share by three-tenths of a percentage point last year to reach 11.7% of all licensed sales in the U.S./Canada—or … [Read more...] about To Join, or Not to Join: Amazon’s Retail Takeover
Sports Up 4.3% in 2016 to Reach $15.4 Billion in Sales
For the third year in a row, sports is the second-strongest property type with 4.3% growth in 2016, according to TLL’s Annual Licensing Business Survey. Retail sales of licensed sports-based merchandise reached $15.4 billion in 2016, up from $14.79 in 2015. Collegiate is also enjoying strong traction at 2.5% growth, reaching $3.5 billion in sales. The 4.3% increase surpassed … [Read more...] about Sports Up 4.3% in 2016 to Reach $15.4 Billion in Sales
Roundup: Promotional Partnerships
Real Madrid's official console partner is Xbox. To celebrate, Xbox will host a series of events at Microsoft Stores throughout the U.S. during Real Madrid’s U.S. Summer Tour. Betty Boop is the new face of Foulbi Co., Ltd.'s J-esthetic—over 100 esthetic salons and day spas. The campaign includes a commercial as well as print and digital ads. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. … [Read more...] about Roundup: Promotional Partnerships
Licensing Litigation
Hollywood Reporter reports that Disney "narrowly preserved" a win against author Royce Mathew in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals over its Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. The legal battle has been on-and-off for over a decade, but the current controversy centers around a release Mathew signed when he withdrew a 2005 complaint alleging that Disney had used his work. Mathew … [Read more...] about Licensing Litigation
TLL’s Guide to Sports-based Properties
Sports licensing incorporates the major U.S. professional leagues for football, baseball, basketball, hockey, and soccer, including both teams and individuals, as well as other leagues (amateur and professional), athletes, and events including NASCAR, golf, extreme sports, tennis, Olympics, mixed martial arts, minor league teams, outdoors-related properties, amateur sports … [Read more...] about TLL’s Guide to Sports-based Properties
M&A Shorts
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) and Aramark partner to provide retail merchandise services for the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home of the US Open. Under the multi-year agreement, Aramark will manage all aspects of the US Open Tennis Championships’ retail sales and merchandising operations throughout the grounds of the National Tennis Center. … [Read more...] about M&A Shorts
M&A Shorts
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) and Aramark partner to provide retail merchandise services for the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home of the US Open. Under the multi-year agreement, Aramark will manage all aspects of the US Open Tennis Championships’ retail sales and merchandising operations throughout the grounds of the National Tennis Center. … [Read more...] about M&A Shorts