A number of licensed products were introduced in 2016 and 2017 with crowdfunding campaigns supporting the launch. The examples below, all offered through Kickstarter, show how this platform is particularly suited to merchandise that appeals (for the most part) to an audience of male teens and young men: Gamebrand debuted a gamer smartwatch featuring classic […]
Tech Tidbits from the Digital Kids Conference
The 2017 Digital Kids Conference, held at Current at Chelsea Piers in New York on February 20, 2017, focused on the intersection of technology and kids’ media, entertainment, and marketing. A few takeaways of potential interest to the licensing community: By a margin of more than two to one, the members of Generation Z (ages […]
Camo Colors New Categories
Recent deals serve as a reminder that camouflage brand licensing does not just encompass apparel and traditional outdoors products such as guns, camping equipment, tactical gear, truck seat covers, and the like. In fact, camo continues to grow as a design trend across a variety of categories, such as: Appliances. Magic Chef announced a deal […]
Trendy Threads
Of the more than 1,600 labels exhibiting at eight women’s fashion shows at the Javits Center last week—the largest being Coterie, focusing on contemporary apparel, accessories, and footwear—roughly 10% are involved in licensing as a licensor, licensee, or both, as estimated by RaugustReports. Labels with a presence across the co-located events included well-established examples such […]
App Play for the Real World
Some time has passed since hit gaming apps were leading the way as focal points of the licensing business, when licensors and licensees were in search of “the next Angry Birds.” That said, a number of licensors of app-centric games have been able to establish licensing programs keyed to appropriate categories, as recent deals attest: […]
Front and Center
Licensing has become a key marketing tool in the higher-end specialty store tier, even in shops that tend to focus mostly on private-label goods or products from established brands. Several such chains are currently demonstrating this fact by highlighting licensed collaborations, often devoting their front windows to these partnerships: J. Crew is touting its alliance […]
Focus on the Hispanic Market
Over the last year, licensors have continued to launch licensing programs meant to appeal to Hispanic consumers. Increasingly, these programs view the Hispanic market as one strong component of a broader audience, rather than as a standalone focus. Some of the properties are expanding into the U.S. market from a Latin American base. Chivas Guadalajara, […]
College Co-Brands
Over the past few years, collegiate licensing programs have upped their co-branding and cross-licensing activities, creating initiatives that combine their own marks with outside properties of various types: Local pro teams. Licensee Champion forged a deal for apparel that blends the IP of the Texas Tech University Red Raiders with that of Major League Baseball’s […]
Creative Play
Makers of activity kits that have an educational slant are increasingly looking to add to their assortments by acquiring appropriate licenses. Three recent examples: Educational Insights, known for its Hot Dots and Hot Dots Jr. brands, among others, has secured the rights to the kids magazine Highlights for Children, following up on its deal with […]
Coffee and Donuts
Quick service restaurant chains specializing in donuts continue to extend their brands into retail food categories. This is often—but not always—accomplished through licensing agreements. Some recent examples: Dunkin’ Donuts signed Coca-Cola in 2016 for ready-to-drink coffee beverages, with a launch expected in early 2017. Deals previously in place include J.M. Smucker for coffee, Keurig Green […]