Wine has started to become a go-to category for lifestyle licensing programs based on fictional TV shows for adults. The trend makes sense given that wine has been one of the most active categories for licensing and collaborations within the alcoholic beverage space since the pandemic began, while TV show-based lifestyle programs have been going […]
Archive | Food/Beverage
Clothing Confections
By Karen Raugust on October 31, 2024 in Accessories, Corporate brands, Fashion, Food/Beverage, Licensing
Candy brands have long been participants in fashion collaborations, but they seem to be experiencing a particularly active period in this space these days. Designs tend to go all-in on prominently featuring the shapes, colors, mascots, and packaging associated with the IP, and the focus is largely—but not entirely—on accessories categories, in part because consumers […]
Make-at-Home Margaritas and Martinis
Limited-edition cocktail kits have been bubbling up as a tool for promoting alcohol brands and their partner properties—ranging from entertainment IPs, celebrities, and sports events to food and beverage brands outside the spirits sector—as well as for engaging fans. With these products, consumers can experience the fun of opening the box and discovering what’s inside, […]
Sports Licensors Win with Wine
Historically, sports viewership has been much more associated with the consumption of beer than with wine. But that situation has been changing over the past few years as sports leagues, teams, and governing bodies have increasingly paired with wine marketers, opening up a new category for promotions and, in some cases, licensed products: In July […]
Strong Characters Lift Protein and Energy Sector
Nutritional products meant to build strength and stamina and/or increase concentration, verve, and vigor in everyday tasks, have been increasingly active as a category for licensing. Properties from sugary food brands to celebrities have lent their names and/or flavor profiles to protein powders, energy drinks, protein bars, and similar offerings. Characters that embody strength, power, or heroism collectively […]
New Flavors ’Til the Cows Come Home
In a presentation at the annual Dairy Innovation Strategies conference in April, Patrik Hansson, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Arla Foods, a Danish dairy cooperative, called for the industry to refocus on bringing in new consumers and addressing the unhealthy eating habits of the global population. One of directions he recommended to […]
Grabbing a Slice of Licensed Product Sales
Earlier this month, Domino’s retained Brand Central as its agent for brand-extension licensing, joining a handful of other pizza restaurants with outbound licensing programs. Overall, relatively few of the leading players in this sector are actively involved in lending their names to retail foods and other consumer products, at least in a significant way. This […]
Maple Sugar Rush
New flavor trends that come into favor in restaurants and homes typically spur marketers to consider collaborations that bring brands associated with those flavors into new categories. Examples in recent years range from cereal and cinnamon to pickles, all of which have made their way into a variety of pairings, both logical and unexpected. Some […]
A Flurry of Food-Brand Agency Agreements
Food and beverage brands have represented one of the most active sectors in licensing for quite some time, and the trend shows no sign of waning. As one illustration, in the 15 weeks since January 1, 2024, more than a half dozen food and beverage brands have retained new licensing agents to expand their outbound […]
Fool-Proof Firewater
The last year has brought a burst of collaborations that combine savory food flavors with alcoholic beverages in offbeat pairings. A few years ago, these novelty spirits would have turned out to be April Fool’s jokes. In today’s landscape, however, they are real products that are released throughout the year. And, while the purpose is […]