Are you hiring—or being promoted, changing jobs, retiring, launching a new company, or otherwise changing your employment? Contact the Editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com to announce the news in our next issue of Who's News. Direct contact information is made available through TLL's Licensing Sourcebook Online (subscription required). September 23, 2019 Update Sona Chawla … [Read more...] about Who’s News: October 2019
Hasbro
M&A & Partnerships
We break down this month's must-know news in mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships. Contact the Editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com. Direct contact information is made available through TLL's Licensing Sourcebook Online (subscription required). September 23, 2019 Update To celebrate of World Cleanup Day, Bacardi and environmental non-profit Lonely Whale are upcycling … [Read more...] about M&A & Partnerships
Show Me the Money: Toycos Report Depressed Sales FY2018
With a few exceptions, every major publicly-traded toyco reported a drop in sales of licensed toys/games. TLL breaks down how the year went for Mattel, Hasbro, Jakks Pacific, Lego, and Funko. The bankruptcy and subsequent liquidation of Toys"R"Us (TRU) stores (which immediately impacted the U.S., U.K., and Australia in 2017) remained a drag on 2018 performance thanks to store … [Read more...] about Show Me the Money: Toycos Report Depressed Sales FY2018
What’s the [Toy] Story? Same as Last Year, Just Better!
Contact the editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com Straight from the floor of New York Toy Fair, TLL brings you the latest and greatest in toy trends. They just happen to be the same as last year's—only more nuanced, thoughtful, and developed. The good news this year: No one's freaking out about the ability of America's largest toy retailer to actually pay its vendors. More … [Read more...] about What’s the [Toy] Story? Same as Last Year, Just Better!
Who’s News—February 2019
Are you hiring—or being promoted, changing jobs, retiring, launching a new company, or otherwise changing your employment? Contact the Editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com to announce the news in our next issue of Who's News. 2/18/2019 Activision Blizzard names Steve Young President Consumer Products as Tim Kilpin retires from the post. Cloudco Entertainment (form. … [Read more...] about Who’s News—February 2019
M&A & CSR
Contact the editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com Apple nabs the rights to the late Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts brand following a highly competitive bidding process. The deal will see Apple team with DHX, which already has a stake in the Peanuts franchise, to produce upcoming projects, including new specials and animated shorts, exclusively for Apple TV. Under the new … [Read more...] about M&A & CSR
Experiential & Promotional Roundup
Contact the Editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com. Pantone's 2019 color of the year is Living Coral, a "nurturing" hue that is meant to evoke "lighthearted activity" and "playful expression." Crayola brings children at Chick-fil-A restaurants aseries of five premium toys to encourage creativity and fun. The program is supported by a micro-site on Crayola.com and marketing … [Read more...] about Experiential & Promotional Roundup
One-Quarter of Top 2018 Holiday Toys are Licensed
Contact the Editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com. Roughly 29% of the top 2018 holiday toys are licensed, according to lists created by Walmart, Target, Amazon, and Kmart. In 2017, retail sales of licensed toys/games sank -4.4% to $7.7 billion in the U.S./Canada, according to TLL’s Annual Licensing Business Survey. This was largely due to the impact of the Toys 'R' Us … [Read more...] about One-Quarter of Top 2018 Holiday Toys are Licensed
Who’s News—September 2018
Are you hiring—or being promoted, changing jobs, retiring, launching a new company, or otherwise changing your employment? Contact the Editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com to announce the news in our next issue of Who's News. 9/17/2018 Pam Lifford is promoted to President of Warner Bros. Global Brands & Experiences (WBGBE), with responsibility for Warner Bros. Consumer … [Read more...] about Who’s News—September 2018
Who’s News—9/10/2018
Are you hiring—or being promoted, changing jobs, retiring, launching a new company, or otherwise changing your employment? Contact the Editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com to announce the news in our next issue of Who's News. Mattel launches a new theatrical film division to develop motion pictures based on its franchises. Mattel Films is led by Executive Producer Robbie … [Read more...] about Who’s News—9/10/2018