Marketplace Roundup
Disney Consumer Products Chair Andy Mooney yesterday at the Int'l Licensing Expo projected that retail sales of Disney-licensed merchandise are "on track to rise 12% to a record $30[B]-plus globally" this FY, which ends September 30. The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER's Georg Szalai reports "about 40%" of the $30B target will come from North America. The Int'l Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA) estimated that entertainment character-based licensing revenue for '07 reached $2.71B, up 1.1% from the previous year (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 6/11).
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Hansen Discusses Speedo's LZR Racer
Suit On NBC's "Today" Show |
LOYAL FOLLOWERS: U.S. Olympic swimmers Kaitlin Sandeno and Brendan Hansen yesterday appeared on NBC's "Today," where NBC's Matt Lauer noted the two are sponsored by Nike. Lauer brought up the Speedo LZR racer suit, in which “people are breaking world records in that and people are saying it’s an unfair advantage." Lauer: "Is it much ado about nothing or is it more psychological than anything else?” Hansen: “That’s pretty much a loaded question.” Lauer: “That’s why I asked it." Hansen: "Nike has been innovating suits for a long time. They're really good at what they do. Obviously, we have a lot of trust and we believe in them" ("Today," NBC, 6/10).
EVERLASTING IMPRESSIONS: Everlast President Adam Geisler said if boxing were more popular, it "would enhance our brand," but the company has "seen a consistent up tick in retail sales from the fitness aspect." Geisler said Everlast in September will launch an MMA line at retail, and the company last week conducted a photo shoot with UFC fighter Randy Couture for a "print campaign that will run in men's and sports magazines." Geisler added Everlast next month will launch a PR campaign with the U.S. Olympic boxing team (BRANDWEEK.com, 6/8).
NOTES: Topps Co. is suing Upper Deck Co. for "allegedly using the names, images and statistics of [Baseball HOFers] Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson and six other baseball legends." Topps claims to own the "exclusive right to publish baseball cards featuring those stars," but Upper Deck is planning a line of cards highlighting the players (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 6/9)....The 99 golfers participating in this week's American Junior Golf Association FootJoy Invitational will receive "all manner of free merchandise" from title sponsor FootJoy. The company wants to "acquaint them with FootJoy products early on in hopes of keeping them down the road" (Greensboro NEWS & RECORD, 6/10).
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