Celebrities have been lending their names, taste preferences, and sometimes financial backing to the canned cocktail category for at least five years in a noticeable way, and the sector has really been gaining steam in the last year or two. The increase in celebrities’ collaborative offerings has mirrored growth in the ready-to-drink cocktail category in […]
Archive | Food/Beverage
Focusing On a Childhood Favorite
Orange cream, or Creamsicle, was the flavor of the summer, according to a number of lifestyle and foodie publications. This nostalgic taste, which typically blends orange, vanilla, and cream, has actually been on the rise for the past several years; 2024 seemed to represent a high mark for new releases, including collaborative examples. But it […]
Brain-Boosting Beverages
Nootropics are chemical substances, natural or synthetic, that are believed to improve concentration, memory, self-control, wakefulness, and mental acuity. They have been growing as an ingredient in powdered supplements (often in a collector’s bundle, with a shaker) and ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, and have become an expanding area of interest for collaborations and celebrity investment. Nootropic […]
Craving Celebrity-Quick Service Combos
The practice of quick-service restaurants teaming with celebrities, mostly from the realms of music, acting, and sports, began in earnest in about 2022, following occasional pairings in earlier decades, and intensified in 2023. That year, some pundits predicted the end of the trend ahead, as the examples piled up and the market seemingly became saturated. […]
Soju Raises Spirits Beyond South Korea
Soju, the national drink of South Korea, is growing in popularity outside of its home country, including in North America, as key brands gain wider distribution and the product becomes available more broadly at liquor stores and restaurants around the world. A light, refreshing, somewhat sweet, fermented and distilled spirit, soju ranges from about 10% […]
An Experience Steeped in Tradition
By Karen Raugust on June 23, 2025 in Character/Entertainment, Experiential licensing, Food/Beverage, Licensing
Afternoon teas got their start in the mid-19th century and have become a classic British custom, popular both with visitors, as a unique experience to remember from their trip, and with some local U.K. residents, as an occasional indulgence. The practice is also established in other countries, especially in Asia. Licensed versions of these experiences […]
Collaborations Worth Their Salt
Collaborations focused on infused salts, mostly limited editions, have been on the rise since about 2022. The products are both colorful and flavorful and are intended for use as cocktail rimmers, finishing salts for baked goods, and beyond. Most examples involve IPs that are closely tied to the food and beverage industry: Rokz, a maker […]
Full of Beans
BBC Studios’ deal with Bush’s for Bluey Baked Beans, announced last week, brings attention to a product that is not often top of mind in the world of licensed merchandise. But agreements in this category are not unheard of. In fact, several partnerships involving baked beans, mainly featuring character properties and food brands, have bubbled […]
Cheesy Fashion Choices
Food imagery in fashion has been a hot topic over the past few years, with the trend coming to a peak in 2024 and interest continuing into 2025. Licensed brand names are part of it, from Kate Spade’s M&Ms and Heinz ketchup bags to Huemn’s shirts, t-shirts, and hoodies with Lay’s. The idea is to […]
Putting the Pop in Pop Culture
Pairings of character IPs with soda pops and other soft drinks are not a new phenomenon, but there has been a recent surge in interest in such partnerships globally. While most initiatives are promotional, spearheaded by the marketing departments of film and TV studios and accompanied by other promotional techniques like exclusive content or contests, […]