Over the holidays, the news came out that Paramount Consumer Products and its Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are parting ways with licensee Playmates when their current agreement expires at the end of 2026, closing the latter’s 38-year run as the property’s master toy partner. The end of the relationship is significant not only for the […]
Tag Archives | Sesame Workshop
They May Be Corny, But They’re No Joke
As consumers in the northern hemisphere anticipate the approach of autumn, peak season for hayrides, apple orchards, pumpkin patches, and other agri-entertainment, it seems like a good time to take a look at a somewhat under-the-radar but not uncommon form of experiential initiative—namely, the corn maze. For consumers, seeing their favorite characters or other IP […]
Classic Toons Assist in the Classroom
Owners of character properties, mostly of the classic variety, continue to forge deals that bring their IPs into PreK-12 schools by way of educational content. Some of the efforts are targeted toward families at home, too, but all have at least some presence in school systems. In the past, such tie-ins would have been perceived […]
Casting Children’s Characters In Podcasts
The market for podcasts featuring children’s favorite characters in original audio storytelling continues to grow. Just this year, IP owners in the children’s entertainment space—including some of the biggest names—have launched new productions: Disney jumped into the original children’s podcast market for the first time with Forces of Nature, a 12-episode Frozen podcast released during […]
Licensing for the Greater Good
Since we last covered non-profit groups’ growing presence in the licensing business, in August 2022, the emphasis on integrating charitable components into licensing initiatives of all stripes has continued. Licensors and licensees are taking a number of approaches to working with charities as one means of demonstrating to consumers that they are making a positive […]
On-Screen Representation
Children’s entertainment properties, particularly television series, are increasingly including characters with visible disabilities—that is, they use wheelchairs, leg braces, or crutches—as part of the main friend group portrayed on screen. They are shown living their everyday lives and participating fully in the group’s activities, modeling inclusion and normalizing disabilities for young viewers. Some examples: MixMups […]
Linking Licensing and Learning
By Karen Raugust on April 25, 2022 in Character/Entertainment, Education, Educational products, Licensing
Teachers and parents continue to be concerned about learning loss and the deepening academic struggles many children have faced since the start of the pandemic. That has likely been one factor driving several licensors and licensees that are active in entertainment/character licensing to forge new deals in the education arena. Licensing of educational products is […]
The Doctor Is In
In February of this year, Eastman Kodak licensed Dealmed, a medical supply manufacturer and distributor, for a line of Kodak-branded infrared thermometers. The products, which allow for accurate, non-contact temperature readings, are available in the U.S. and South American markets. Thermometers are likely to remain in demand post-pandemic. Not only are they perennially necessary for […]
Listen Up
Children’s podcasts have been popping up for a while now, including a few based on licensed IP. Almost a third of parents (32%) say they are very or somewhat likely to purchase a subscription to a paid podcast service for their child, according to a survey conducted by Morning Consult in November. Half of children […]
Licensing Insights from CES 2021
Licensed products did not have a particularly high profile at the first-ever all-virtual Consumer Electronics Show, held last week. But several speakers offered interesting news and insights related to the licensing business. Most of these tidbits were related not to consumer products, but to apparel: The WNBA saw a 350% increase in merchandise sales last […]