As the recession drags on, there is increasing talk in all industries about consumers indulging in little luxuries. While everyone's idea of luxury-and what's an appropriate amount to spend-differ greatly, one thing that almost everyone can agree on is candy is an attainable luxury for all.
No matter what your age, what you're looking for, or how much money is in your wallet, there's bound to be a plush toy for you. Some consumers are willing to pay top dollar for a plush toy made of quality materials, something that will last for generations or something that makes a nice collectible. Others are willing to pay upwards of $60 for a feature plush toy that offers the latest technology and interactivity. And still others are looking for something a little simpler that costs less but is more classic-a cuddly teddy bear, for instance.
They're hairy, sloppy, eat a lot, poop in unfortunate places, and require an enormous amount of effort, investment, and care. But year after year, consumers spend billions of dollars around the world to care for them and bring them into their homes. We are talking, of course, about pets...
They're hairy, sloppy, eat a lot, poop in unfortunate places, and require an enormous amount of effort, investment, and care. But year after year, consumers spend billions of dollars around the world to care for them and bring them into their homes. We are talking, of course, about pets...
For years, record companies have seen a decline in sales thanks to the popularity of buying music on the internet. The creation of the iPod has changed how people interact with music. More recently, the poor economy has played a role in decreased sales. But people still listen to music and aspire to be like their favorite rock stars. They just do it in different ways than in the past. This means that record companies must reach consumers and generate revenue in different ways and this includes different..
When Mark Roesler, chairman/CEO/founder of CMG Worldwide, began licensing deceased celebrities in 1981, he says that most companies had already been using the likenesses of celebrities without permission. Companies that hadn't been unofficially licensing deceased stars had no interest in the business because the celebrities were no longer around. However, the business of deceased celebrities has boomed over the years, with Forbes publishing an annual Top-Earning Dead Celebrities list (the 2009 list..
When Mark Roesler, chairman/CEO/founder of CMG Worldwide, began licensing deceased celebrities in 1981, he says that most companies had already been using the likenesses of celebrities without permission. Companies that hadn't been unofficially licensing deceased stars had no interest in the business because the celebrities were no longer around. However, the business of deceased celebrities has boomed over the years, with Forbes publishing an annual Top-Earning Dead Celebrities list (the 2009 list..
Amid the economic turmoil of the past few years, few industries have had as much high-profile negative publicity as the auto industry. Especially when the big three were going to Washington D.C. looking for bailout money, the industry at large was placed under intense scrutiny from the taxpayers who were to foot that bill. Reports of people's outrage at the CEOs traveling from Detroit to Washington in private jets were widespread. Maybe the CEOs just didn't realize the magnitude of the changes that..
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The fashion world is fickle. What is in is in and burns as bright and hot as a thousand suns. Once that once-fashionable garb falls from vogue, it is beyond dead in the hearts, eyes, and minds of the fashionista set...
The travel-related licensing segment encompasses a varied range of property types. Included within its parameters are actual travel-related licenses, destination-specific properties, theme park licenses, travel and destination products that feature entertainment properties, and television-based travel properties...
Setting its sights on becoming a "dominant youth brand," Cartoon Network (CN) announced an aggressive new content strategy for the 2009-2010 season. Combining, of course, animated programming with live-action series, movies, and online entertainment, the network is continuing the 360-degree approach to content that has fueled its momentum over the past year...
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Every year at Toy Fair, attendees are looking for the buzz. What's the newest? What's the latest and greatest? Yet, over the past few years, it seems the buzz has been lacking. Well, that's about to change at this month's Toy Fair where the "Buzz" will come with the last name of "Lightyear" as Disney/Pixar says it plans to dominate this year's show with news of Toy Story 3. Toy Fair will kick off with the induction of Disney/Pixar chief creative officer John Lasseter into the Toy..
Koosh is one of those brand names that lives in a consumer's mind whether or not there is product on the market. It's one of those words, like Band-Aid or Q-tips, that seems to represent a category in a consumer's mind (even though the rights holders and licensees are always working to protect the original)...
All indications available as of press time point toward a relatively successful Halloween in 2009. Of course, relative is the operative word here. The weak economy that caused issues during the 2008 Halloween season lead manufacturers and retailers in the Halloween space to have a tempered sense of expectations entering this year's season...
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From October 6-9, toy manufacturers and retailers will return to Dallas, Texas, for the Toy Industry Association's annual Fall Toy Previews. The show, which is a precursor to February's Toy Fair, gives attendees a look at the hottest toys for 2010. The following pages give a taste of some of the toys that will be exhibited inside the Dallas Market Center...
The growth of the BlogHer Conference, a large gathering of female bloggers that took place last month in Chicago, is reflective of the growth of the latest, and most widespread, way to disseminate word-of-mouth product feedback that affects the infant and preschool category more than just about any other product category. The growth of "mommy blogs" has significantly affected and influenced this segment of the toy industry as today's very-conscious generation of moms can give their own real-world..
Big or small, one at a time or in a flurry, bubbles fascinate people of all ages. Through bubble toys, making (and popping) bubbles is easy and fun to do. Babies love the surprise of bubbles floating out of a bubble blower. Older kids can blow their own bubbles and chase them around outside. With certain bubble toys, kids can even hold a bubble in their palm of their hand!..
The water toys category, which encompasses water slides, squirters, and blasters, is a perennial favorite among kids. The appeal of limitless, open-ended fun combined with putting the chill on the dog days of summer never wanes. Even in the midst of a recessionary economy, consumers are attracted to the cool fun the category offers. However, that is not to say the economy hasn't affected the category...
As we enter into International Licensing Expo 2009 (better known as Licensing Show), the children's licensing business, as is the case with the greater licensing industry, is facing a host of challenges. The economy and how to approach the recessionary climate from a marketing and sales perspective is, of course, front of mind with the licensing and toy industries...