The Licensing Letter

Mattel

M&A & Bankruptcy

Nine West Holdings files for bankruptcy, listing debts of approximately $1.5 million. The apparel, jewelry, and jeanswear company is planning sell its flagship brand, Nine West, to Authentic Brands Group. It will also sell its Bandolino brand and reorganize around other businesses, including the Anne Klein name. MGA Entertainment CEO Isaac Larian makes his move, submitting a … [Read more...] about M&A & Bankruptcy

M&A, Experiential & Legal

Universal Brand Development and Film Concerts Live! launch Jurassic World in Concert; the world premiere features the National Symphony Orchestra performing the complete Jurassic World score live as the 2015 movie is projected in HD onto a massive screen. The opening night will take place on May 30 with a special concert at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. This is a … [Read more...] about M&A, Experiential & Legal

Who’s News—3/5/2018

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. Blizzard Entertainment appoints Daniel Siegel to the newly created position of Head Esports Licensing. Siegel will help drive extended investment in the … [Read more...] about Who’s News—3/5/2018

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

Streaming & Experiential Power Up

DreamWorksTV, a division of Awesomeness that creates family-friendly digital content distributed via YouTube, partners with Amazon to launch its first subscription offering. The individual OTT network will offer exclusive programming including Schneck & Eck Crack The Case, Action Figures In Action, Secret Agent Challenge, and Neighborhood Super Watch. Global streaming … [Read more...] about Streaming & Experiential Power Up

Entertaining Deals & Experiences

Bells are ringing for the latest royal marriage, this time between Nick Jr. and Thomas & Friends. A new agreement between parents Mattel and Nickelodeon will see new seasons of Thomas & Friends premiere on the kid's channel, with specials set to air on the Nickelodeon network throughout the year. Nick will also serve as Mattel's exclusive U.S. agent for Thomas merch … [Read more...] about Entertaining Deals & Experiences

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

Who’s News — 11/27/2017

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.   ZAG appoints Marlin Prager as COO & CFO, David Ribardo as Chief Accounting Officer, and Cindy Elfenbein as VP Retail Business … [Read more...] about Who’s News — 11/27/2017