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
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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
Experiential Licensing: Targeting Travelers
Globally, the fastest-growing consumer segments are spenders hailing from Asia and, more generally, Millennials. These two cohorts are more likely then ever to spend money on an experience, rather than on some consumer good. According to Expedia’s 2018 Air Travel Outlook Report, for example, 74% of 18–65 year-olds would rather spend their money on experiences than possessions, … [Read more...] about Experiential Licensing: Targeting Travelers
M&A & Other Business
Ravensburger acquires ThinkFun, a U.S. developer of logic and STEM-based games. ThinkFun will continue to operate independently as a subsidiary of Ravensburger North America. Co-founder Bill Ritchie remains as CCO, as well as all directors and staff. Universal is in talks to sell its stake in Oriental DreamWorks, the China-based joint venture animation company, according to … [Read more...] about M&A & Other Business
Roundup: Experiential Initiatives
Live arena production Fast & Furious Live is set to debut on a global tour in January 2018. Produced in partnership with Universal Brand Development, Fast Live Productions, and Live Nation, the show launches in London before racing through 23 other European cities. The two-hour show features cars, locations, and scenes from the film series through state-of-the-art 3D … [Read more...] about Roundup: Experiential Initiatives
Who’s News
Universal Brand Development appoints five new managers for its EMEA territories: Kathrin Brandhorst is Country Director Germany, Switzerland, and Austria; Virginie Kleinclaus is Country Director France; Karen Argos is Country Director Iberia; Mariella Almasio is Country Director Italy; and Jean-Francois Auquier is Country Director Benelux. The news follows three new … [Read more...] about Who’s News
44 Entertainment/Character Brands Make the $100 Million List
Karina Masolova, additional reporting by Glenn Demby and Marcy Magiera Forty-four entertainment/character properties make our list of brands that generate over $100 million in retail sales of licensed merchandise in the U.S. and Canada—accounting for a total of $41 billion in sales worldwide in 2015. See the full list here. Three brands cleared $1 billion in the U.S./Canada … [Read more...] about 44 Entertainment/Character Brands Make the $100 Million List