Last September we published a post on a handful of new and expanding pro sports leagues that were dipping their toes into the licensing business. Here are some more names to add to that list: • The National Women’s Hockey League, the first female pro league in this sport, was launched in 2015 with four […]
Archive | Licensing
Fresh Foods
Licensors are always looking to innovate by capitalizing on opportunities to pair a property with a rising consumer trend. That process can be more involved in the food industry than in other categories. But a handful of current food and beverage trends—some of which have been around for a while—are starting to spur the development […]
Affordable for Anyone
A number of celebrities have launched fashion collections over the past two years—especially in the latter half of 2018—that are firmly focused on affordability: Comedian Amy Schumer and stylist and costume designer Leesa Evans launched Le Cloud Collection with Saks Off Fifth in December. Some of the proceeds will go to Community Partners’ STYLEFUND project. […]
Pretty as a Picture
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 […]
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 […]