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, […]
Influencing the Craft Category
Social media influencers specializing in handmade crafting and inspiration have, not surprisingly, had a growing presence in the licensing business. They mostly maintain a tight focus on crafting supplies, although some have extended into a few adjacent categories as well. Examples include: Lauren Riihimaki, or LaurDIY. Key licensees, brokered by The Brand Liaison, include Plaid […]
Power Players Enter E-Sports
Licensing tied to e-sports leagues, governing bodies, teams, and athletes has been slowly growing for the past three or so years. Most of the action to date has occurred through specialist licensees and distributors such as We Are Nations, Meta Threads, EsportsOnly.com, Manatee.gg, and Esportsclothing.com. There have also been occasional capsule collections, as well as […]
Building a Case for Blockchain
Blockchain is a decentralized ledger—essentially a database—for securely tracking and storing a string of sequential information. It offers the ability to create a transparent, tamper-proof, and trustworthy record of ownership, value, chain of custody, authenticity, and other attributes of an individual product over time, from raw materials through sale and resale. Pilots based on blockchain […]
Out of Africa
Businesses based in Africa have been expanding their presence on the global scene of late, including some involved in activities connected to licensing: • Fashion. South African designer Palesa Mokubung and her label Mantsho recently teamed with H&M for a ready-to-wear apparel and accessories range set to debut in select stores around the world this […]
New Dimensions in Footwear
3D printing has a lower profile as a consumer-facing licensing trend than it did a few years ago. But the technology continues strong behind the scenes, as a means to personalize products, implement unique designs, and achieve other goals. In many cases, consumers may not realize a given product is being created through this technique, […]
Partners in Body Positivity
Despite the fast-growing incidence of new initiatives focusing on the plus-size and extended-size women’s apparel and accessories markets over the past several years, there is still a need for more fashionable choices for consumers at both the higher and lower end of the size spectrum. As a result, general-market fashion retailers and brands continue to […]
Sticking to the Message
Characters and other imagery associated with instant messaging apps have given rise to a number of licensed product initiatives, many of which have become strong programs globally in terms of retail sales. Such initiatives can be organized into three major groups: Proprietary characters created by messaging apps. LINE Corporation oversees a wide range of products […]
Supporting Self-Care
Self-care is an approach to wellness in which consumers purposefully take time to foster a positive mental, physical, and emotional state. It is a way to de-stress from a busy life, reduce anxiety, improve mood, avoid health-care issues, and ultimately enhance happiness and productivity. Practitioners stress that it is not a selfish lifestyle; rather, it […]
Compound Interest
Two of the top-of-mind trends in the toy industry over the past two years have been mini collectible figures, especially in blind boxes, and compounds in the form of slime, sand, dirt, and ooze. More recently, those two trends have come together, as low-priced, collectible minis are not just packed in blind boxes but encased […]