The Licensing Letter

Video Games and Software

The Horror: 44% of Upcoming Licensable Video Games Sequels

Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com We've updated our list of upcoming video games with licensing potential, and it counts 80 titles launching from 2018 and beyond. See the complete list here. Retail sales of licensed merchandise based on video game/interactive/online-based brands reached $607 million in 2016, up 3.5% from the previous year for the … [Read more...] about The Horror: 44% of Upcoming Licensable Video Games Sequels

46 Properties Make the $100+ Million Ent/Char List in 2016

Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com A grand total of 46 properties made the $100 million entertainment/character list for 2016 retail sales, with five new faces joining the pack. See the complete list here. All in all, the top properties generated $43 billion in retail sales of licensed merchandise worldwide. Globally, that marks a $2 billion increase compared to … [Read more...] about 46 Properties Make the $100+ Million Ent/Char List in 2016

Entertainment/Character Roundup

Disney's Star Wars will see a new film trilogy from The Last Jedi frontman Rian Johnson, separate from the episodic Skywalker saga. The media giant is also planning a new live-action Star Wars TV series for its SVOD service to launch in 2019. Also headed to SVOD are original TV series adaptations of Pixar’s Monsters Inc., Disney Channel’s High School Musical franchise, and … [Read more...] about Entertainment/Character Roundup

Experiential & Social Activations

Hasbro and Cityneon bring interactive exhibition Transformers Autobot Alliance to China in December 2017. The launch follows years of R&D—the walk-through exhibit is the first of its kind to showcase the larger-than-life robots, as well as special effects, reflex tests, virtual reality, motion sensing, and other features surrounding the Transformers brand. It will debut in … [Read more...] about Experiential & Social Activations

M&A & Other Business

Ravensburger acquires ThinkFun, a U.S. developer of logic and STEM-based games. ThinkFun will continue to operate independently as a subsidiary of Ravensburger North America. Co-founder Bill Ritchie remains as CCO, as well as all directors and staff. Universal is in talks to sell its stake in Oriental DreamWorks, the China-based joint venture animation company, according to … [Read more...] about M&A & Other Business

Spotlight: Kids’ Tech Toys

We had the chance to attend the Kids’ & Family Tech Expo in New York, where attendees showed off the latest in tech innovations to hit the toy shelves. The name of the game is STREAM, and to be more specific, programming and engineering. But while many toys were meant for a younger set, the price point was relatively high—targeting the pure-play offerings topping … [Read more...] about Spotlight: Kids’ Tech Toys

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

The State of Licensing In Mobile

Sanrio and Bandai Namco Entertainment team up for Hello Kitty ♥ PAC-MAN, a mobile game app and a limited edition merchandise collection including t-shirts, caps, socks, tote bags, pins, and collectible figures. SEGA Networks and WWE partner for WWE Tap Mania, a worldwide mobile game app that features a roster of past and present WWE Superstars facing off in the ring in … [Read more...] about The State of Licensing In Mobile