New York City-based Licensing Street is operating as two distinct business models: licensing agency and licensing consultant. The company launched in January 2009 during one of the worst economic climates the world has seen. Learn how JJ Ahearn and business partner Jason Korfine crafted a team that is building a business despite these economic challenges.
The music industry has changed significantly over the past 25 years. Album sales have slipped and promotional opportunities have shifted. Licensing is playing a big role in creating new revenue streams for the industry.
As the digital world becomes more entwined with daily life, classic brands and properties have to adapt to this new medium to keep pace with the demands of the market. Scholastic has had remarkable success with the transition, creating successful versions of its key children’s brands (such as Clifford the Big Red Dog and I Spy) for digital platforms, including the iPad and the Nintendo Wii. Carolyn Fraser, director of Scholastic Interactive, talks to Royaltie$ about making the leap into the digital world.
In a market where affordability has become more important than ever, the low-priced impulse and novelty category has found success in and out of the toy aisle.
This year will mark the 40th anniversary of the Rankin-Bass Christmas special Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town. Classic Media celebrates the anniversary of its classic property with a new DVD release and licensing program.
Kids across the country are collecting, trading, and wearing Silly Bandz. Now these colorful and fun-shaped silicone bracelets are expanding into a consumer products program.
When I was coming up in the toy industry there was only one trade show worth mentioning: New York Toy Fair—and it was an extravaganza. Anyone who was anyone was walking the halls of the historic Toy Building. Good or bad—those days are long gone. Today there are myriad trade shows to choose from. Each one supposedly serves its own purpose: some are for the mass market, some for the specialty market, some for international markets; yet I see many of the same buyers at all of them. The one common link between these shows is the proverbial water cooler discussion, “Are trade shows even necessary anymore?”
The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) continuously strives to put smiles on the faces of children in need. This holiday season will be no exception, when TIF and Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) launch the winter festivities with their largest toy distribution to date.
Disney Consumer Products will launch a technologically advanced product line around the Dec. 17 theatrical release of TRON: Legacy. The sequel to the cult-favorite TRON film of the 1980s also features Jeff Bridges.