College athletes have been able to capitalize on their names, images, and likenesses (NIL) for less than a month, as the NCAA, on July 1, suspended its NIL rules. They are quickly taking advantage of the new opportunities. The process of getting to this point began back in 2009 when former UCLA basketball player Ed […]
Archive | Licensing
Tea Time
By Karen Raugust on July 22, 2021 in Character/Entertainment, Experiential licensing, Food/Beverage, Licensing
Traditional English-style afternoon teas tied to characters (and sometimes other properties) have represented a growing piece of the experiential-licensing landscape since the mid-2010s, at least in some parts of the world, with a particularly notable burst of activity beginning in 2019. Even during the pandemic, at least between lockdowns, a few licensed afternoon teas were […]
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 […]
Now Hear This
By Karen Raugust on July 15, 2021 in Character/Entertainment, Consumer electronics, Content, Licensing
Kids’ audio is hot, with everything from podcasts to musical albums on the rise. One of the most active areas within this sector consists of a growing number of low-tech, screenless audio players designed to allow young children to control what they listen to independently and safely in a closed eco-system. The proliferation of these […]
Designer Drinks
Celebrities of all types have been increasingly active in the alcoholic beverage space, entering into licensing agreements, short-term collaborations, and joint ventures, as well as launching their own companies, to create new brands of beer, wine, and spirits. As fashion designers have expanded their businesses well beyond couture and ready-to-wear into a broader lifestyle positioning, […]
Characters Qualify for the Olympics
Licensed characters are playing a starring role this year in promoting national Olympic teams, Olympic sports, the Tokyo Olympic Games, and the Olympic spirit in general, both officially and non-officially. There is still some uncertainty surrounding the event, which is set to kick off on July 23, after a year-long pandemic delay, amid rising numbers […]
Shoe Business
With both sneaker collaborations and corporate novelty merchandise programs ubiquitous and still on the rise, is it any wonder that we’re seeing an explosion of offbeat corporate-branded shoes on the market? Products announced lately involve properties that are frequent participants in licensing and collaborations, as well as those that are new to the game. Many […]
Playing Games
Many entertainment/character licensors have had difficulty extending their properties into branded video games successfully. But they increasingly need to be in the video game space, since that is where their fans, of all ages, spend a lot of their time. One way to achieve this goal without as much risk is to integrate their properties […]
A High Point for Low-Priced Craft Supplies
The arts and crafts segment proved to be one of the beneficiaries of the pandemic-driven stay-at-home era—as measured by increased sales levels—thanks to families looking for things for their kids to do while in isolation and adults using their unexpected leisure time to try a new craft or revisit a hobby they had abandoned. It […]
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 […]