Category: Licensing

’Tis always the season to be jolly, and with this good cheer comes the announcement of a collaboration between The Lumistella Company and HarperCollins Publishers. Starting this September, HarperCollins Children’s Books will release an exciting range of eleven The Elf on the Shelf universe-themed titles over the next five years, and William Morrow Cookbooks will publish a holiday inspired, fun-filled cookbook in fall 2024. Global rights for The Lumistella Company publishing program were sold to Rich Thomas, VP/Director, Publishing, HarperCollins Children’s Books, and global rights for The Elf on the Shelf cookbook were sold to Cassie Jones, VP/Executive Editor and Editorial Director for William Morrow Cookbooks, by Cait Hoyt at Creative Artists Agency.

United Airlines has named Sesame Street’s Oscar the Grouch as its first Chief Trash Officer as he and the airline celebrate his love of rubbish. United Airlines’ new, consumer education campaign is designed to promote the expected benefit of using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) more broadly. The new campaign – which features Oscar in more than 30 pieces of original video, digital, social and out-of-home content – follows the iconic character’s journey from job listing to c-suite office starring alongside real United employees. SAF is an alternative to conventional jet fuel that, on a lifecycle basis, reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with air travel compared to conventional jet fuel alone. SAF is being made from used cooking oil and agricultural waste, and, in the future, could be made from other feedstocks including household trash or forest waste. To date, United has invested in the future production of over three billion gallons of SAF – the most of any airline in the world. 

IMG has been announced as the exclusive publishing agent for the popular mobile game franchise Angry Birds, expanding its existing global licensing representation agreement with the brand’s parent company Rovio Entertainment. This is the first time the Angry Birds brand’s consumer products and location-based entertainment licensing and publishing rights will be consolidated under one global agency. IMG will look to expand the franchise’s current publishing programme, which includes regional deals with Penguin Children’s Puffin and Nordic publishing house Storytel, with new global and regional deals for books, comic books, audiobooks and activity books featuring the brand’s beloved characters.

 BIP, the global IP licensing marketplace, has announced the launch of its innovative web-based marketplace, with Jazwares, a global leader in toys and licensing, and Metaverse gaming sensations Brookhaven, Jailbreak, and more have signed on to utilize BIP’s newly-formed global IP licensing marketplace. The BIP online ecosystem bridges the gap between licensors and licensees worldwide allowing for greater connectivity within the licensing industry with a deep focus on transparency. The BIP licensing hub features several tools aiding in the deal making process, including real-time tracking enabling all users to easily track deal memo progress, virtual chat room communication, and post-deal management services. Co-Founded by Ari Zebersky, BIP serves as an expansive centralized hub streamlining the licensing marketplace providing brands opportunities to field potential collaborations, expand territory, and provide a wider range of product categories.

It’s a Monopoly slam dunk! Hasbro, Inc, a global branded entertainment leader, and Panini America, the exclusive trading card partner of the NBA and NBPA announced a partnership to bring the NBA court to the iconic Monopoly board. In this new Monopoly Prizm: NBA Edition board game, players collect, trade, and compete with real Panini NBA Prizm trading cards and exclusive Monopoly parallels and inserts for NBA All-Star glory. The Monopoly Prizm: NBA Edition game will be available in North America for purchase at Target beginning April 16, 2023 and other major retailers beginning August 1, 2023.

The Woobles, the first learn-to-crochet company to leverage emerging ed-tech tools to successfully teach the art of crocheting to complete beginners, released its second licensed collaboration, PAC-MAN x The Woobles Collection, on Thursday. The news of the limited-edition kit drop was shared only with internal customers that had signed up for new product alerts and sparked an immediate buying frenzy, with full inventory selling through in just minutes.

Disguise, Inc, the costume division of leading toy and consumer products manufacturer JAKKS Pacific, Inc (NASDAQ:JAKK), has announced the costume rights to Afro Unicorn for North America and EMEA. Commencing in 2023, Disguise will design, market, manufacture and distribute costumes and costume accessories for Afro Unicorn, a conscious brand with a mission to uplift and celebrate women and children of color.   Afro Unicorn, created by April Showers, is designed…

Epic Games’ Fortnite and Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) have announced the studio’s Creed franchise is making its’ Fortnite debut with a limited time integration starting March 1st. Championship boxer Adonis Creed is about to punch above his weight in one of the most popular online games ever created. The integration features a brand-new Outfit, in-game accessories, and a tournament in Fortnite inspired by the upcoming feature film Creed III opening in theaters and IMAX on March 3rd.