By Allison WatkinsonTLL ReporterNelvana has been appointed as the exclusive Canadian licensing and merchandising agent for the ZAG HEROEZ brands Miraculous and Ghostforce. “Nelvana’s expertise across the Canadian market is unparalleled, and we are confident they are the best partners for us to expand the Miraculous brand across the region by securing new partners and expanding … [Read more...] about ZAG Appoints Nelvana to Represent Miraculous and Ghostforce in Canada
Toys ‘R’ Us
Toys R Us Is Back in Business … Again
Big news for those in the toy and toy licensing industry, as brand management company WHP Global announced Monday it has acquired the controlling interest in Tru Kids, the parent company of Toys R Us, Babies R Us and the Geoffrey the Giraffe brand. Toys R Us has struggled to survive in a world beset by a rapid shift to e-commerce, and filed for bankruptcy protection in 2017. … [Read more...] about Toys R Us Is Back in Business … Again
M&A: New Faces, Same Places
Contact the editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com Penske Media Corp. (PMC) purchases the last remaining 49% stake in Rolling Stone from BandLab Technologies, giving it full ownership over the magazine brand, including all event and licensing rights, as well as the parallel entity Rolling Stone Intl. Other PMC properties available for licensing include Variety, Deadline … [Read more...] about M&A: New Faces, Same Places
Retailer Watch: Sears, FAO Schwarz, TRU & NRF
By Karina Masolova. Contact the Editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com. Sears Holdings is joining the bankruptcy club, facing down $12 billion worth of debt (compared to $8.1 billion in assets). The retailer will undergo Chapter 11 reorganization and is expected to close 142 stores as part of those proceedings. Sears hasn't turned a profit since 2010 and has $134 million of … [Read more...] about Retailer Watch: Sears, FAO Schwarz, TRU & NRF
Legal Watch: Sporting Goods & Apparel; Toys & Games
Contact the Editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com. CrossFit and Reebok settle their litigation-related licensing disputes and "look forward to continuing their work together as partners mutually dedicated to improving individual health and fitness globally." In 2010, the companies entered into a 10-yr. licensing and sponsorship agreement where Reebok would act as the title … [Read more...] about Legal Watch: Sporting Goods & Apparel; Toys & Games
Licensed Entertainment/Character Sales Hit $31.1 Billion Worldwide; Soft Goods Lead Growth
By Karina Masolova, karina@plainlanguagemedia.com. Entertainment/character-based licensed goods continue to grow at a faster rate than any of the other five major property types TLL tracks globally—as well as the 13 major properties we track within the U.S./Canada territory. In the U.S./Canada, entertainment/character-based licensing grew by $435 million in 2017 to reach $13.2 … [Read more...] about Licensed Entertainment/Character Sales Hit $31.1 Billion Worldwide; Soft Goods Lead Growth
Retail & Legal Tracker
U.S. retailers are stocking up on merchandise in advance of potential tariffs on Chinese imports, according to the National Retail Federation’s latest monthly Global Tracker report. The number of cargo containers to be received at U.S. ports that are forecasted for July and August would each set new records for the number of containers imported in a single month; the first half … [Read more...] about Retail & Legal Tracker
M&A & Restructuring
Newell Brands continues its restructuring efforts under an expanded accelerated transformation plan, which includes the divesting of two more brands and applying all after-tax proceeds (an estimated $10 billion) from its divestitures to debt. Jostens and Pure Fishing are added to the chopping block along with non-core businesses Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Rubbermaid … [Read more...] about M&A & Restructuring
Who’s News—3/26/2018
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. Genius Brands appoints Cindy Elfenbein to the newly formed position of VP Global Consumer Products & Retail Development, reporting to SVP Global … [Read more...] about Who’s News—3/26/2018
Retail Sales, Partnerships & M&A
The U.S. Commerce Department released its first estimate for Q4 GPD, which increased at an annualized rate of 2.6%—and consumer spending, which was up by 3.8% and saw its fastest growth rate in over a year. A successful holiday season, however, means that retailers are also having trouble restocking shelves. A report from the Wall Street Journal suggests that businesses are … [Read more...] about Retail Sales, Partnerships & M&A