The global expansion of children’s animation properties originating in Russia continues in 2020, with a growing number of distribution, consumer product, and licensing representation deals announced since January. There has been a particular flurry of activity in April and especially May: 0+ Media signed Maurizio Distefano Licensing as its rep for Leo and Tig in […]
Archive | Character/Entertainment
More Visibility for Disability
By Karen Raugust on March 16, 2020 in Character/Entertainment, Demographic groups, Licensing, Toys/Games
Over the past several years there has been a focus on diversity and inclusion of all types in advertising, content, and consumer products. The introduction of characters with physical and mental disabilities has been a recent manifestation of this trend, with more and more examples in the toy and children’s entertainment industries, especially in the […]
Locked In
When we last covered the escape room phenomenon, in June of 2017, the industry was well established, but licensing was still relatively new to the sector. Things have changed since then, with a wide variety of entertainment/character licensing now in the mix and new examples still joining the fray on a regular basis. Some of […]
Baby Bump
By Karen Raugust on March 5, 2020 in Character/Entertainment, Corporate brands, Demographic groups, Licensing, Toys/Games
Branded video platforms for preschoolers have been active in the licensing business of late, especially in the toy segment: Treasure Studio signed Jazwares for a toy line based on the YouTube channel CoComelon. Founded in 2006, the channel has more than 72 million subscribers and 2.5 billion monthly views. The stories and characters seen in […]
Animal Attractions
By Karen Raugust on March 2, 2020 in Character/Entertainment, Experiential licensing, Licensing, Pet products
A handful of licensors are looking to the pet industry for new experiential opportunities. The moves make sense: Consumers’ love of and willingness to spend on their pets is well documented. And there is plenty of white space to fill in the experiential pet sector, which is relatively new territory for licensed properties. Some examples: […]
Mobile AR Gaming Levels Up
Niantic’s Pokémon Go, the first hit augmented-reality mobile game, came out in July 2016. More than three years later, the game was still generating $1.4 billion in annual revenue, as of December 2019, according to SuperData. In fact, the title single-handedly drove 81% of the $1.7 billion in total revenues for all AR mobile games […]
Drink Up
Themed pop-up bars and clubs represent an up-and-coming form of experiential initiative. Recent examples include both enterprises that are officially licensed or otherwise tied to a licensed entertainment property and those that are unofficially inspired by licensed IP: The Plaza Hotel in New York oversaw a rebranding of The Rose Club, its noted jazz venue, […]
Designs on Pop Culture
Collaborations pairing fashion brands and entertainment/character properties tend to involve design labels that are fresh and cutting-edge and/or appeal to younger consumers. Think streetwear brands, emerging global design stars, or fast-fashion retailers. Recently, however, some very well established designers are increasingly participating in this strategy, creating collections tied to TV shows, video games, comic strips, […]
A Horrifying Licensing Opportunity
Halloween costumes have long been a key licensing category, especially for entertainment/character properties. Halloween makeup kits have also been on the rise of late, sold by not only Halloween costume companies but increasingly by theatrical makeup marketers and suppliers of replica armor, swords, and other realistic costume supplies. Products range from packages for casual trick-or-treaters […]
Immersed in Art
By Karen Raugust on October 7, 2019 in Art, Character/Entertainment, Experiential licensing, Licensing
Art exhibits can generate awareness and fan engagement for entertainment/character properties with enough content and history to support this sort of experiential initiative. A few examples from this year and last illustrate some of the elements that are common to such ventures, as well as the unique twists that are possible depending on the nature […]