'47 Brand Supports America's Wounded Warriors

I'm sitting here wearing a '47 Brand Cal football cap. I'm pleased to learn that '47 Brand supports Operation Hat Trick, a program that generates awareness, support, and funding for the recovery of America's wounded warriors. See ’47 Brand and Operation Hat Trick Continue to Support America’s Active Service Members & Veterans. The program was created after hearing that the number one thing wanted by wounded service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan was a baseball hat that would cover swelling, bandages, and treatment.

Hasbro Transforming 3D Licensing

The revolution in 3D printing is enabling anyone to enter into licensing arrangements as revealed in the article From the mag: Hasbro ratchets up user-generated licensing efforts. Hasbro has teamed up with Shapeways to create a website SuperFanArt where artists can market and sell their 3D creations. For example, a sandstone figure of Pinkie Pie from the TV show My Little Pony sells for $45. Currently SuperFanArt is looking for 3D designs for Transformers, G.I. Joe, Monopoly, Dragonvale, Scrabble, and Dungeons & Dragons.

6 Important Tips for Licensing Your Brand

There is a good checklist to review in the article 6 Important Tips for Licensing Your Brand. In the article, Marty Brochstein, SVP at LIMA, provides six important tips along with a short statement describing why the tip is important. The six tips are: 1) know your brand; 2) choose good partners; 3) timing is everything; 4) find your edge; 5) find the right retailer, and; 6) define your success. If you're doing well at all six, you probably don't need the tips.

Batman Still a Popular Halloween Costume

$2.8 billion will be spend on Halloween costumes this year according to Halloween costume sales soar as the holiday approaches. This is up from $2.2 billion in sales last year. As you might expect, costumes from Disney's Frozen are "flying off the shelf". Some of the other popular officially licensed costumes include: Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Batman. Batman is celebrating his 75th year anniversary. That's much older than most people reading these words. Batman does not look 75.

Baseball on the Ski Slopes

So what does baseball have to do with skiing? Quite a lot according to MLB puts team logos on skis, boards. You can now get the team logo of all 30 MLB teams on skis or snowboards. MLB is looking for new ways to offer licensed merchandise to its fans. Overall MLB licensed products sales exceeded $3 billion last year. Sports Licensing from all sources had $907 million in revenue last year on retail sales of $16.9 billion. If you want MLB team skis or a snowboard be prepared to pay more than your usual team gear. Team skis start at $649 and the snowboards start at $549. Think I'll stay with a hat.

Mattel Forges Chinese Partnerships

Mattel has a significant presence at the China Licensing Expo as highlighted in Mattel showcases portfolio at Brand Licensing Hall 2014 event in Shanghai. The China Licensing Expo is taking place in Shanghai thru Oct. 16th. Mattel's consumer products team has grown significantly in China over the past three years. They are conducting consumer research to determine what resonates with Chinese consumers. One of their research findings reveals that Chinese parents expect children to 'play with a purpose'. Consequently, Mattel developed a program to focus the use of their products to develop four key areas considered critical for girls' growth. Devin Lau, senior director, consumer products, Asia, notes that Mattel pursues "a long-term approach towards business partnerships and have been working with leaders in key markets for many years now".

Bob the Builder Gets Makeover

Bob the Builder keeps changing as detailed in A Makeover Coming for ‘Bob the Builder’.  In past years he 'has gone on a diet, endured a lot of plastic surgery, moved to a new home, ditched his overalls and developed a whole new personality'. In order to remain relevant, Hit Entertainment is releasing a new 'Bob the Builder' where there 'will be new sidekick characters, a new setting ... and new actors voicing the leads'. Meanwhile, Betty Boop just rolls along.

And the Winner of the Most Valuable Sports Brand Is ...

Forbes compiles a list of the most valuable sports brands. Four categories are considered - business, events, teams, and athletes. Within each category the 10 most valuable sports brands are determined. The resulting list is published in The Forbes Fab 40: The World's Most Valuable Sports Brands 2014. Nike heads the list as the most valuable sports business brand with a value of $19 billion.The top event brand is the Super Bowl which last year generated an estimated $518 million in revenue. The New York Yankees are the most valuable team brand with a worth of $521 million. The top athlete brand belongs to LeBron James bypassing Tiger Woods. LeBron's brand is worth $37 million.

How Disney's Frozen Did It

An intriguing question is asked in How did Disney's Frozen get toys so right?. There does not seem to be a simple answer to the question. Some suggest the success is a result of an enchanting story, superb animation, and a film that parents, children and grandchildren can all view together. Others believe the Frozen soundtrack captivated families and girls throughout the world. Or maybe it is the two princesses looking out for each other. And then there is the huge success of the song Let It Go. Whatever the reasons, Frozen merchandise sales are off the charts. And with new Frozen product releases coming out this year and the next, no thaw seems in sight.

Marilyn Monroe Dazzles Again

A lawsuit has been filed over 'Virtual Marilyn' as reported in Marilyn Monroe Estate Sued Over Threats to 'Virtual Marilyn' Character. The lawsuit could affect holograms, avatars, and computer-generated imagery of dead celebrities. Advances in holograms and digital graphics has produced enormous interest in promoting deceased stars. A lot of money is at stake, as exemplified by the $30 million yearly licensing income of the Marilyn Monroe estate. According to Wikipedia, celebrities who have already been digitally cloned include Bill Clinton, Fred Astaire, Ed Sullivan, Elvis Presley, Bruce Lee, Audrey Hepburn, Anna Marie Goddard, and George Burns.

European Licensing Market - Everything You Want to Know

A review of the European licensing market is presented in BLE Primer: Top trends in the European licensing market. One major trend is the increase in licensee, licensor and retail consolidation. The article cites emergence of mega-licensees such as Hong-Kong based Li & Fung. Li & Fung has recently purchased multiple manufactures and licensing agencies. The advantages of such consolidation are presented including the ability to offer licensors attractive pan-European deals. Another trend is the rise of rise of discount and grocery chains across Europe which boost licensed categories in this retail market. Finally, the article reviews the impact of several major licensors including Disney, Hasbro, Nickelodeon, and eOne.