The love affair between (mostly) classic characters and adult-focused cosmetics, lip care, and nail care products continues to intensify. More properties and more marketers—often of the niche variety—are entering into relationships to produce limited-edition beauty collections. Some recent pairings: • The latest collaboration for Hello Kitty, licensed by Sanrio, is The Crème Shop’s October 2018 […]
Archive | Licensing
Holiday Dress Code
The popularity of “ugly Christmas sweaters” as a pop-culture trend began to emerge almost a decade ago, and licenses across a wide variety of property types—from Bob Ross and Betty White to Bob’s Burgers and the Buffalo Bills—have had a strong presence over the past five years or so. Not surprisingly in such a crowded […]
Getting a Kick Out of Fashion
Leading football clubs around the world, like other sports organizations, have been forging deals with design labels for fashion-forward apparel collections. Some of the examples in the second half of this year: Manchester United paired with True Religion for a line of premium denim for women and men, along with a future junior’s range, sold […]
The Unicorns of the Sea
By Karen Raugust on December 13, 2018 in Character/Entertainment, Design and content themes, Licensing
At New York Toy Fair last February, one of the trends noted was the emergence of narwhals—members of the whale family with long, unicorn-like tusks—as a design and content trend. This was especially true in the plush category, as manufacturers looked to add new dimensions to the still hot but crowded world of unicorns. Since […]
A Different Kind of Commute
Some consumers—a growing, albeit still small, number—are considering alternatives to gas-guzzling cars as a means of getting to work. As a result, relevant corporate licensors have been taking a closer look at commuter scooters as a potential brand-extension category. This segment includes high-end and street-legal vehicles such as foot-powered kick scooters, Segway-like personal transportation, electric […]
Flipping for Pancakes
By Karen Raugust on December 6, 2018 in Character/Entertainment, Food/Beverage, Licensing, Promotion
Licensors are looking beyond yogurt shops, donut bakeries, and hamburger chains for character and entertainment tie-in partners in the QSR and restaurant world. Pancake houses seem to be a preferred destination in 2018: Universal Partnerships & Licensing, Illumination, and Dr. Seuss Enterprises paired with IHOP for Grinch-themed pancakes, French toast, omelets, and hot chocolate to […]
Revisiting the ‘90s
By Karen Raugust on December 3, 2018 in Branding/marketing, Demographic groups, Design and content themes, Licensing
Licensing initiatives targeting the millennial market frequently highlight styles and themes from the 1990s. The strategy makes sense when you consider that millennials, born from 1981 to 1996 and currently between 22 and 37 years old, spent their childhood and/or teen years in that decade and often have fond memories. It follows that marketers’ inclination […]
Model Citizens
Fashion models have inspired licensing and merchandising programs going back at least to Twiggy in the 1960s. Since then, social media, reality television, and other modes of publicity have come to the fore. As a result, today’s consumers not only know more models’ names and faces, but are also familiar with their likes, dislikes, hobbies, […]
Expect the Unexpected
A handful of deals announced this fall have put licensed properties into new and unexpected places: Kathy Ireland licensed Gander Group for a line of products sold exclusively through casinos in North America. The merchandise includes a range of home goods (indoor and outdoor), including kitchen accessories under the Chef Andre Sunday Dinner Presented by […]
Getting Off To A Slow Start
New ventures involving the growing e-sports industry are announced on a daily basis. E-sports stadiums are being built, such as the world’s largest to date in Arlington, Texas, opening this month. Musicians and other celebrities such as Drake, Imagine Dragons, and Michael Jordan are investing in teams and leagues. Sports leagues, governing bodies, teams, colleges, […]