Another week, another slate of great deals in our industry, as we lead our coverage today with expansion of an existing agreement with Warner Bros. and Spread Group. Spread Group Expands Warner Bros. Collaboration Beyond Europe Spread Group - formerly known as Spreadshirt - has worked with Warner Bros. in Europe since 2012, developing more than 1,700 designs for the … [Read more...] about Deal Summary: Spread Group, Emoji Co., Lucasfilm, League of Legends
Interactive/Online
Konami’s Bomberman and Contra Sign New Merch Deals
Two iconic ... if not historic ... Konami video game franchises will be getting some new merch, thanks to a pair of new licensing agreements signed by Konami Cross Media NY. Bomberman and Contra will soon have more product to offer fans with the conclusion of the new licensing agreements, said Jennifer Coleman, Vice President of Licensing and Marketing, Konami Cross Media NY, … [Read more...] about Konami’s Bomberman and Contra Sign New Merch Deals
Who’s News Roundup: Week of Dec. 9
Bad Robot Tags Veteran Developer Michael Booth for New Video Game Studio The accomplished Bad Robot studio made a serious move this week, launching a video game division-Bad Robot Games—that will be guided by newly hired industry veteran Michael Booth as its General Manager and CEO Anna Sweet. Bad Robot, founded and led by renowned producer JJ Abrams, will now partner its … [Read more...] about Who’s News Roundup: Week of Dec. 9
Super Oops: Why the Snyder Cut of Justice League was Removed from HBO
If you’re a DC Comics fan anxiously awaiting the release of the controversial ‘Snyder Cut’ of Justice League, then you’re likely aware the first epic trailer has been pulled from YouTube and other video or streaming services … and it appears a licensing wrangle serves as the super villain in the plot. While there’s been no official explanation, it appears the trailer was … [Read more...] about Super Oops: Why the Snyder Cut of Justice League was Removed from HBO
TikTok Inks Critical Licensing Deal with Sony Music
Another day, another TikTok licensing deal to report, but in this case, the agreement is critical to the way TikTok operates. TikTok announced this week it has reached a new agreement with Sony Music Entertainment that allows its millions of users to use songs from SME’s vast roster of global music superstars, as well as its many emerging artists. "We are thrilled to enter … [Read more...] about TikTok Inks Critical Licensing Deal with Sony Music
Nina Hahn Tapped by ViacomCBS to Lead Kids’ Programming Launch
Nickelodeon’s International SVP of production and development Nina Hahn has been tapped by ViacomCBS International Studios (VIS) to oversee the launch of a new kids’ programming initiative. VIS Kids is broadening its global kids content pipeline to include short and long-form content that will be produced and sold to third parties, as well as to ViacomCBS brands and … [Read more...] about Nina Hahn Tapped by ViacomCBS to Lead Kids’ Programming Launch
State of the Union: Reviewing Video Games in 2018
Contact the editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com The U.S. video gaming industry broke records in 2018 to hit an estimated $43.4 billion in sales, according to the NPD Group, marking a rise of 18% year-over-year. Hardware revenue, including peripherals, hit $7.5 billion for a markup of 15% year-over-year. Software revenue was up 18% to reach $35.8 billion. Accessory and … [Read more...] about State of the Union: Reviewing Video Games in 2018
Comic-based, Original Films Lead Films With Licensing Potential
By: Karina Masolova, with additional research by Susan Adams and Michelle Odinyayeva. Contact the Editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com. TLL identified 213 upcoming films through 2025 as potential source material for licensed consumer products. Comic book-based properties lead the count, with 39% of films on the list, followed closely by original works (37%). Rounding off the … [Read more...] about Comic-based, Original Films Lead Films With Licensing Potential
37 Entertainment/Character Brands Earned Over $100 MM in the U.S./Canada
Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com This year, a total of 37 properties made TLL’s annual list of entertainment/character brands that generated over $100 million in licensed retail sales in the U.S./Canada for 2017. Last year, TLL tracked 46 brands that qualified for the list based on 2016 sales. And the year before that, 44 brands made the list based on estimated … [Read more...] about 37 Entertainment/Character Brands Earned Over $100 MM in the U.S./Canada
M&A: Publishing Has a New Face
Publisher Watch: News Shake-Ups Hearst’s King Syndicate Feature and Emerging Tech divisions launch the conglomerate’s first AI-voice enabled entertainment for Amazon Alexa. Trivia Treat is meant to offer a challenging and fun daily gameplay experience for players around the world with games and puzzles. The NYT is stepping up its content licensing game with the re-branding and … [Read more...] about M&A: Publishing Has a New Face