Over 100 retailers are joining forces to fight against a proposed U.S. tax on imports, aiming to sway both federal lawmakers and American consumers. The Americans for Affordable Products coalition includes The Retail Industry Leaders Association and more than 120 other trade groups. The proposed corporate tax reform is meant to reward companies that sell products outside the … [Read more...] about Retailer Showdown
Target
Deals in Short
As always, see the complete list of deals from this last week here. In Japan, a Betty Boop-branded diner opens in Japan through a deal brokered with Food Business Consultant Inc. (FBC) by licensor King Features’ Japanese agent, Copyrights Asia. The location plans to feature merch and special holiday events in the '50s-esque eatery. WildBrain is appointed as the exclusive … [Read more...] about Deals in Short
Mergers & Acquisitions
Toys 'R' Us sells the FAO Schwarz brand to California-based toy manufacturer and distributor ThreeSixty Group. ThreeSixty will develop FAO Schwarz-branded toys and retail experiences, to launch next fall. Target partners with Alibaba to sell goods in China via the Tmall ecommerce marketplace. Viacom's Board of Directors forms a Special Committee of Independent Directors to … [Read more...] about Mergers & Acquisitions
Who’s News
Rob McMenemy leaves Egmont Publishing in his role as CEO Intl. In the U.K., Sarah Bates is promoted to Commercial Director, Ali Dougal moves up to Fiction Publishing Director and John Packard to Brands & Licensing Publishing Director. Henna Riaz launches HRR Entertainment. The music and business management company will manage individuals in the music and entertainment … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Apparel Fuels 3.1% Growth in U.S./Canada Fashion Licensing—Global Growth Is Even Higher
Growing competition; continued decline in the brick and mortar backyard; currency devaluation in Europe and Asia; a fourth quarter retail fiasco. 2015 was a tough year for the fashion industry. Yet, for all of the challenges, fashion licensing prospered in not only in the U.S./Canada but worldwide, according to The Licensing Letter’s Annual Licensing Business Survey. Global … [Read more...] about Apparel Fuels 3.1% Growth in U.S./Canada Fashion Licensing—Global Growth Is Even Higher
Who’s News
Beanstalk launches its Icon Representation service for the representation of personality rights of legendary icons to be led by Martin Cribbs, who joins as VP Brand Management. Rosalind Nowicki steps down as EVP Global Sales & Retail at 20th Century Fox to lead Iconix's entertainment division and Peanuts Worldwide. Zodiak Kids promotes Gwen Hughes to COO Zodiak Kids … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Who’s News
Jeffrey Godsick steps down as President of Fox Consumer Products to join Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group as EVP Worldwide Partnerships. Genius Brands Intl. promotes Stone Newman to President Global Consumer Products & Marketing. Soo Koo is appointed CCO at Warner Bros. Consumer Products. Michael Carrington steps down as CEO of Zodiak Kids Studios to take the helm of … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Who’s News
LIMA appointed Rutika Malaviya as its official representative for India. Cherokee Global Brands hired Randi Spieker as EVP Business Development. DHX Brands named Kaisa Nieminen Senior Brand Manager for North America. Dave Tovey joined the company in the newly created role of Business Development Manager EMEA. And Danielle Tanton was appointed to the new role of Live Events … [Read more...] about Who’s News
Entertainment, Sports Licensed Goods Lead Black Friday Deals
Hot holiday properties Frozen and Star Wars, and collegiate and NFL licensed merchandise, will be decking the halls of many retailers on one of the biggest shopping days of the year. Some of the nation's largest retailers over the past week moved to control the flow of information about their Black Friday promotions by "leaking" their own Thanksgiving weekend ad circulars … [Read more...] about Entertainment, Sports Licensed Goods Lead Black Friday Deals
Mattel, Hasbro see Q3 Retail Sales Split Along Gender Lines
By Karina Masolova Reported third quarter (3Q) sales from toy giants Hasbro and Mattel exhibited an interesting break along gender lines, with boys' toys outperforming girls' amidst depressed worldwide sales thanks to unfavorable exchange rates. More gender balance may be on the way, however, with the girls' market expected to get a boost from the first interactive Barbie doll … [Read more...] about Mattel, Hasbro see Q3 Retail Sales Split Along Gender Lines