Archive | Content

The Value and Variety of VTubers

Consumer interest in VTubers (“virtual YouTubers”)—which got their start in Japan in the mid-2010s—has expanded significantly since the start of the pandemic, both in these digital influencers’ country of origin and abroad. VTubers are anonymous creators who use motion-capture and other technologies to create an animated avatar, usually anime-like in style, that does everything a […]

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Controversial Content Through A.I.

Artificial intelligence has long been used for a variety of purposes, from automating contract reviews to personalized shopping to voice assistants, and it holds promise for much more. Lately, with the advent of consumer-friendly A.I. chatbots, image-generators, and other tools, such as ChatGPT and MidJourney, A.I. is increasingly—and more controversially—being utilized to develop and produce […]

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Black Characters Star On Screen and On Shelf

As is the case every February, many product, promotional, and content announcements and launches involving licensed properties have been timed to Black History Month in 2022. The initiatives have cut across all property types and product categories. One particularly active space this year has been children’s entertainment and media, with new projects expanding representation for […]

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Classics Changing Hands

Over the last couple of days, news has come to light about the oversight of three significant entertainment franchises changing or expected to change hands. The three situations, each of which is unique in its specifics, involve merchandising as well as other rights, and the goal, at least in part, is to refresh and rejuvenate […]

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Non-Fungible, But Also Non-Official

Using a blockchain—a decentralized, shared database—to track the history of a digital or real-life item creates a secure timeline of where that item has been throughout its lifespan, giving purchasers confidence about its legitimacy. As such, blockchain technology is a tool for everything from ensuring the authenticity of collectibles and luxury goods to demonstrating an […]

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Preschool Pop Stars

The children’s audio sector has been expanding as parents look for engaging alternatives for their kids that do not involve a screen, and as more and more audio-centric projects have proven popular with young listeners. In addition to podcasts and dedicated audio devices and content, children’s music albums have also been on the rise, especially […]

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Food Truck Feast

Food trucks have become ubiquitous on street corners across the U.S. and in some other territories since at least the mid-2010s. As a result, they have emerged as a frequent element within children’s storytelling—including both food-centric and non-food-centric TV shows, books, games, and movies—as well as a common theme in kids’ consumer products, especially toys. […]

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