Universal partners with mobile-game developer Ludia for AR mobile game app, Jurassic World Alive. Players collect, discover, and create a variety of dinosaurs while exploring their own neighborhoods and cities around the world. Starting June 6 through July 31, select Walmart and AMC locations will allow players to collect branded supply drops and resources. Hasbro parters with … [Read more...] about Mobile & More Content Licensing
Hasbro
Pop-ups, Social Causes & Documentaries
Epic Rights launches a nostalgic and immersive *NSYNC-centric pop-up experience in Los Angeles to celebrate the 20 year history of the group as well as its new star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In addition to official merchandise, the location also boasts photo activations and a display of props, wardrobe, and photography. The capsule collection's line of apparel and … [Read more...] about Pop-ups, Social Causes & Documentaries
Who’s News—4/9/2018
Are you hiring—or being promoted, changing jobs, retiring, launching a new company, or otherwise changing your employment? Email Jen at jen@plainlanguagemedia.com and we'll announce the news in our next issue of Who's News. DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Consumer Products President Diane Nelson is taking a leave of absence in the beginning of April and will be returning at … [Read more...] about Who’s News—4/9/2018
M&A & Experiential
American households are loading up on credit card debt, according to data from the Federal Reserve and a related study by WalletHub. By the end of 2017, credit card debt in the U.S. reached $1.01 trillion, beating out the previous record of $984 billion at the end of 2008 and the start of 2009, the tipping point of the Great Recession. Just this past holiday season, WalletHub … [Read more...] about M&A & Experiential
M&A: Toys & Entertainment Edition
Ubisoft acquires 1492 Studio, a French video game development house specializing in free-to-play episodic and interactive stories on mobile. eOne buys out the remaining 49% stake in The Mark Gordon Co. that it didn't already own in a deal worth $209 million. As part of the deal, founder Mark Gordon joins eOne as Chief Content Officer. Spin Master acquires plush manufacturer … [Read more...] about M&A: Toys & Entertainment Edition
Amidst Rocky 2017 Performance, Toycos Boosted by Licensing
The NPD Group’s latest report shows the toy industry grew by 1% in 12 global markets in 2017, with global sales reaching $20.7 billion. The top growth-drivers, according to the research group, were fidget toys, slime, dolls, and collectibles. According to NPD, 2017′s top three-selling toy properties globally were Star Wars, Nerf, and Barbie. In the U.S. alone, Nerf captured the … [Read more...] about Amidst Rocky 2017 Performance, Toycos Boosted by Licensing
Emerging Content
As we enter into the new year, here are the latest new brands with licensing potential as well as ways to exploit them. Hasbro is planning a new animated TV series for 2019 based on its Micronauts line of collectables. The mini superhero brand will see a live-action movie in 2020 following the TV series, which is aimed at 6–11 year-olds. Hulu teams up with executive producer … [Read more...] about Emerging Content
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
In & Around 34th Street
By: Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com I try to trek down to 34th St. Herald Square, in central New York City, every once in a while. As we enter the holiday shopping season, there were some interesting licensed retail activities in and around town. The newest addition to Herald Square is the Build a Bear Workshop. The central attraction is the retailer's three … [Read more...] about In & Around 34th Street
New Film & Media
Hasbro signs a new 5 year exclusive deal for movie and television development with Paramount. The development will be done by Hasbro’s newly organized Allspark Pictures and Allspark Animation, with Paramount distributing the films and TV series developed. The two companies have previously collaborated on five Transformers and two G.I. Joe films. Fox Animation acquires the … [Read more...] about New Film & Media