Rubber ducks, always around as playthings and symbols of positivity, playfulness, and simpler days, tend to see periodic surges in interest. This is one of those times. Although it is hard to say what specifically is driving this iteration of the trend, some of the manifestations include the current popularity of duck races to spur […]
Tag Archives | Firefly Brand Management
Happy Returns For Former Retail Brands
Several formerly defunct retailers have announced relaunches, or expanded on recent relaunches, this year. Through a variety of strategies, their well-known IPs are coming back, both online and as shop-in-shops and/or standalone retail locations: Bed Bath & Beyond returned to bricks-and-mortar retail through partnerships with The Container Store and Kirkland’s, both announced in October. The […]
An Appetite for Regional Restaurants
Restaurant properties have been among the most active in the corporate licensing space of late, as they partner for brand extensions, lifestyle collaborations, and novelty items for fans. For the most part, these are national (or international) chains with multiple locations and a high profile among mainstream consumers. Occasionally over the years, however, local or […]
Sketches and Scribbles
Last week, Firefly Brand Management announced that it had signed on to represent professional doodler Todd Goldman for licensing representation. That follows on the heels of Striker Entertainment being retained by the Doodle Boy. It turns out that a long list of professional doodle artists from around the world promote their hand-drawn patterns and characters […]
From Russia with Licensing
Russia has become the source of a rising number of children’s properties with eyes on the international market. Factors behind the increase include a boost in government support for the domestic animation industry since the 2000s, the growing sophistication of the licensing business in Russia, and the development of YouTube and other streaming channels as […]
Comfort TV
Some very wholesome TV shows from the past have spurred merchandise programs in recent years, and their efforts continue to expand. Modern consumers likely gravitate to these brands in large part due to their nostalgic appeal, but also, at least to a degree, because they serve as an antidote to today’s digitally driven, politically charged, […]
Honing in on the Hispanic Market, Part 2
Just two weeks ago (“Honing in on the Hispanic Market,” May 17, 2018), we noted the slow and steady rise of licensing initiatives intended to appeal to Hispanic consumers in the U.S. Last week’s Licensing Expo confirmed this trend, with more exhibited properties than ever having this population in mind: Entertainment and publishing. One Entertainment, […]