How much money are studios making off those licensed products? 2 2

[Bosco685]

Talk about big business. No wonder why Marvel was overjoyed to take Spider-Man merchandising off Sony's hands a few years back.

 

The Top 150 Global Licensors, published annually by License! Global

 

The Walt Disney Company, which is the perennial No. 1 global licensor, added a whopping $7.2 billion in retail sales in 2015. While Disney dominated headlines last year with the return of the iconic Star Wars franchise, the company reported $52.5 billion in retail sales of licensed merchandise worldwide for its rich portfolio of franchise properties that also includes Marvel's Avengers, Frozen, Disney Princess and "Doc McStuffins." Over the past five years, Disney has added a total of $23.9 billion in retail sales of licensed merchandise, demonstrating strong growth and demand for its consumer products.

 

#1 THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY

$52.5B (NYSE: DIS)

 

As the world's largest licensor, The Walt Disney Company brings its stories and characters to life for families and fans of all ages through innovative products and experiences. In fiscal 2015, global retail sales of licensed product reached a new high of $52.5 billion. This number is inclusive of licensed products across Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media, Disney Publishing Worldwide, Studio Entertainment, ABC Television and ESPN. In 2015, The Walt Disney Company introduced new characters and stories alongside inspired retellings of classic tales, which resulted in yet another stellar year for licensed products. Perhaps the most anticipated product launch and film debut of the year was Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which continues to redefine the scope and power of entertainment licensing. Hundreds of products launched on Sept. 4, 2015, with a global event dubbed Force Friday that drew more than 130,000 fans standing in line for midnight store openings. Despite launching later in the year, Star Wars was the number one toy brand of 2015 (NPD) and won property of the year at the Toy of the Year Awards. Disney Princess continues to be one of the world's most popular girls' brands, with new dolls, role play and branded and inspired apparel for children, juniors and adults–including a broad range of offerings across prom, Quinceanera and bridal. Disney's Frozen remains a worldwide phenomenon and once again topped retailer and industry toy lists in 2015, with new content from Frozen Fever and the TV Holiday campaign, Family: The best gift of all. Fans of Disney·Pixar had two films and lines of merchandise to enjoy, with the release of the Academy Award winner for Best Animated Feature, Inside Out and The Good Dinosaur. 2015 also marked the launch of Disney·Pixar's Cars Precision Series, a new line of high-end diecast cars and play sets from Mattel.

 

DCPI collaborated with Target on a Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron multi-channel marketing campaign that engaged fans and built excitement for the product line. Marvel also launched its first subscription box program–Marvel Collector Corps–offering exclusive Marvel product, collectibles, apparel, accessories and more. In the fashion space, Marvel expanded its product offerings with new sportswear styles from brands like Mad Engine, Hybrid and C-Life, and launched a Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron collaboration with geek girl apparel brand, Her Universe, available at Hot Topic. Marvel also added to its healthy living portfolio of products with major Avengers and Spider-Man food launches.

 

Disney is so massive, Marvel is a small mention of all the things it has cooking. Yet if you go in most department stores, the Marvel Heroes products are quite extensive.

 

#5 WARNER BROS. CONSUMER PRODUCTS

$6B (NYSE: TWX)

 

The DC Comics universe (including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and Justice League) led the charge with support for the feature film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, from Warner Bros. Pictures, which hit theaters March 25, 2016. Warner Bros. Consumer Products, DC Entertainment and Mattel joined forces to launch the DC Super Hero Girls franchise, an exciting new universe of super heroic storytelling that plays out across multiple entertainment content platforms. Featuring a completely new artistic style and aesthetic, this initiative includes digital content and TV specials, toys, apparel, publishing and more, providing opportunities for kids to play, watch, read, and be inspired to discover their full super power potential. WBCP's top licensed properties also include Harry Potter; perennial animated favorites Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo and Tom and Jerry; The Wizard of Oz; and a fan-driven TV portfolio which includes television series The Big Bang Theory and Supernatural, as well as DC Comics TV programming such as The Flash, Arrow, Gotham, Supergirl and more. For Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, WBCP teamed up with a slate of global licensees for a broad, multi-category licensing and merchandising program to support the film. Master toy licensee Mattel created a vast toy line including action figures, vehicles, play sets and collectible figures. Also supporting Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice are global licensees such as The LEGO Group, Rubie's Costume Co., Spin Master, Under Armour, New Era and many more. WBCP, in partnership with DC Entertainment and Mattel, unveiled the DC Super Hero Girls licensing program, anchored by global master toy licensee Mattel, and a toy line featuring industry firsts: the first-ever 6-inch action figure designed for girls; the first 12-inch collection of action dolls featuring strong, athletic bodies that stand on their own in heroic poses; and the first-ever action role-play toys for girls. For Batman Unlimited, Animal Instincts and the sequel Batman Unlimited: Monster Mayhem, from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, debuted in 2015.

 

It's nice to see Warner Bros. put more of a focus on the wider DC Universe, as opposed to just traditional Batman and Superman.

 

#6 HASBRO

$5.9B (NASDAQ: HAS)

 

Hasbro's performance in 2015 reflected the strength of its global teams and the power of its brand blueprint. The My Little Pony brand drives over $1.2 billion in retail sales with a presence in 71 countries and across all major consumer products and promotional categories. Its animated series, currently in its sixth season and airing in 197 territories, has helped to expand the brand into every major consumer product category worldwide. The Transformers brand reaches generations of fans across the globe with a robust entertainment offering, including full-length features and an animated series airing in 197 territories. Strong licensee relationships extend Transformers products into every major consumer products category worldwide with total franchise retail value delivering over $10 billion since 2004. The Littlest Pet Shop brand continues to build a strong following by expanding distribution and growing global audiences of its animated television series, produced by Hasbro Studios and distributed in over 160 countries. Rounding out Hasbro's seven franchises are the successful Monopoly, Play-Doh, Nerf and Magic: The Gathering brands, which offer licensed consumer products in a variety of categories. Monopoly has a strategic focus on promotions, digital gaming and fashion capsules; Play-Doh is expanding into arts and crafts and creative play categories; Nerf has a strong foothold in pets and is expanding into sports and sports action categories; and Magic: The Gathering is expanding into key publishing and digital mediums. Hasbro's performance in 2015 reflects the strength of its integrated retail relationships in over 1 million doors around the world. Hasbro is one of few licensors with imbedded selling teams resulting in significant retail successes across all categories. The Transformers and My Little Pony brands offer branded products to connect with fans of all ages across various retail channels. This includes high-end specialty stores like Louisa Villaroma, High Street channels and mass channels like Walmart and Target.

 

In 2016, S2BN Entertainment and Hasbro announced that the new live-action show Transformers Live will tour worldwide over the next five years. The show debuts in 2017 in a custom-built 4,500-capacity venue in China. Hasbro continues to drive its fashion collaborations and in early 2016, designer Maria Escote's collection at Madrid Fashion Week featured My Little Pony, which complements great designer collaborations in 2015 including Philip Plein, Au Jour Le Jour, Degen and Fyodor Golan. Hasbro's upcoming entertainment offering is robust, including the My Little Pony movie in 2017, which will be distributed by Lionsgate; three consecutive Transformers features starting in 2017; and an expanded relationship with Paramount for a Hasbro Universe which includes characters from the G.I. Joe, Micronauts, Visonaries, M.A.S.K. and ROM brands. Season two of Transformers Robots in Disguise launched in 2016 on Cartoon Network and the brand is teaming up with Machinima on Transformers: Combiner Wars, a series that will be distributed digitally this summer.

 

Looks like Hasbro will be using its planned movie universe to drive even more licensed products. It is cool to see them mentioning ROM and Micronauts after all these years.

 

#9 NICKELODEON

$5.5B (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA)

 

2016 is poised to be another big year for Nickelodeon, especially for the franchise Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. With the sequel to the Paramount theatrical release debuting in theaters June 3, the appetite for Turtles' product continues to grow across categories spanning toys, apparel, home, publishing and sporting goods. Toy partners Playmates and MEGA Bloks introduced toys inspired by the movie and TMNT x Melo, a new apparel line for boys designed in tandem with NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony, is set to debut this month in all Macy's stores across the U.S. Nickelodeon's preschool portfolio continues to drive consumer excitement as its new series, Shimmer and Shine, joins Paw Patrol and Blaze and the Monster Machines, two of the leading preschool shows on TV. Consumer products for Shimmer and Shine are set to debut this summer and will include apparel, accessories, costumes, dress up, arts and crafts, home goods, party, publishing and more from partners including Party City, Spirit Halloween, Just Play, Alex Brands, Franco, Random House and more, alongside a new line of toys from Fisher-Price. As the No. 1 preschool license in 2015, Paw Patrol continues to be on a roll as partners including Power Wheels, Baby Boom, Zak Designs and more develop products in new categories. Nickelodeon's other hit preschool show, Blaze and the Monster Machines, was a top licensed preschool property to enter the market in 2015 as products from Fisher-Price, Jay Franco, Baby Boom, GDC, University Games and more came to market last year. The line will expand even further in 2016. Nickelodeon Retail's most successful retail programs in 2015 included Paw Patrol Winter Rescue campaign at Target and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles holiday campaign at Toys 'R' Us. April also kicked off major retail programs and activations around the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows movie, including a 3 Star Program at Walmart.

 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is big business for Nickelodeon.

Edited October 8, 2016 by Bosco685

[ComicConnoisseur]

I am surprise to see MLB ahead of the NFL on this list.

Also Mattel,Universal and Dreamworks look like up and coming bigger players in this business.

[miraclemet]

I am surprise to see MLB ahead of the NFL on this list.

Also Mattel,Universal and Dreamworks look like up and coming bigger players in this business.

 

my first thought is baseball caps. they are so ubiquitous in our culture, and all of the ones with actual MLB logos add to the pot.

 

 

[revat]

I am surprise to see MLB ahead of the NFL on this list.

Also Mattel,Universal and Dreamworks look like up and coming bigger players in this business.

 

my first thought is baseball caps. they are so ubiquitous in our culture, and all of the ones with actual MLB logos add to the pot.

 

 

Correct on the caps, everyone (mostly men, but a TON of women too) in every town from young to old wears baseball caps. They are fashion statements as well as fan items. And that's without considering all the jerseys and tshirts, and also considering that baseball is MUCH more of a worldwide sport, with huge markets in Asia and South America (at least compared to football). Usually football is king is most towns, that have teams but usually only the biggest fans will have the gear, and the odds are that those fans will also have an equivalent amount of baseball gear, especially in America's biggest non-south cities where baseball is more popular than football.

 

New York - Yankees/Mets > Jets/Giants

Chicago - Cubs/Sox > Bears

Boston - Sox > Pats (this gap may be kinda small)

LA - 2 baseball teams > 0 football teams (prior to this year)

Bay Area > Giants/A's > Niners/Raiders (people love their niners, but their gear just isn't that great).

St Louis - Cards> Rams

San Diego - Pads>Chargers (at least gear wise)

 

 

And in the South, the ' NFL football gear dollar' is often split with college football, which in many if not most places is equivalent or bigger than NFL, at least in terms of gear. Same might apply in the Midwest. I would guess that more UMich and MSU gear is sold per year in Michigan than Lions gear, and I dont' think it'd be very close.

 

Lastly, from my observations, I think more women and children go to baseball games than football, leading to more potential revenue streams, especially since kids need new stuff as they grow up and women tend to want 'newer' stuff more often.

 

[miraclemet]

also throw in all those darn pink redsox caps...

[Bosco685]

It will be interesting to see how much merchandising came from these big superhero movies this year. There was definitely plenty of product out there.

 

[Bosco685]

One line that is taking off all by itself - but benefiting from all these superhero movie and TV productions - is the DC Super Hero Girls line. Between the Legos and action figures, they are starting to dominate large shelf space. The other is Star Wars female figures.

The female superheroes that are taking over the toys space

Quote

In 2015 Hasbro courted controversy when the firm released a play-set depicting a thrilling scene from Avengers: Age of Ultron, in which Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow races to the team’s rescue, dropping from a jet on her motorcycle. All the detail of the scene was in tact apart from one crucial detail – the presence of Black Widow herself. Yes, fearing that the play-set’s target audience, boys, would not want a female figure at the centre of the action, Black Widow was replaced with the Captain America character, much to the disappointment of fans everywhere.

 

Later, play-sets featuring the same scene emerged from Hot Wheels and LEGO both featuring the same omission. Whether this decision came directly from Disney is speculation, but one thing was for sure: the gatekeepers of the toy industry didn’t have confidence in the appeal of female heroes.

 

A couple of years on and things are changing. Perhaps spurred on by criticisms of the past and the changing tide of public opinion towards gender equality, Disney’s Star Wars features not one but three female main characters across its main-line movie titles, spin-offs and television series. These icons of female empowerment are represented in the toy space by the Forces of Destiny, which are being brought to store shelves by Hasbro.

 

But the true woman of the hour is DC’s Amazonian princess, who has brought ladies to the forefront of the superhero space with the rollicking Wonder Woman.

With female empowerment in the spotlight, WBCP’s dedicated line of female superhero toys, DC Super Hero Girls, is poised to make an even bigger impact leading into AW 2017, bolstered by its multimedia, multi-platform approach.

 

“Continuing to grow and expand globally, DC Super Hero Girls continues to engage young fans with original content and a wide range of product, including toys, costumes, apparel, accessories, publishing, digital games and more,” continues Bufton.

 

“With DC Super Hero Girls, we’ve created a unique world for girls and kids to immerse themselves with their favorite DC characters as they engage with and explore the world of superheroes – as we know it’s not just boys that like superheroes – and we know girls everywhere are very much just as excited to imagine, explore and discover themselves and their favorite superhero characters.”

 

“In the fashion dolls subclass July NPD, Mattel is pleased to say that DC Super Hero Girls are the number three fashion doll, as well as the number one fastest growth of the top 10 fashion doll properties, and the number one item YTD in fashion doll,” explains Hill.

 

“The DC Super Hero Girls range has been an important launch to show girls and boys a universe and storylines that have strong female characters in the thick of the action, and to create products that allow them to play out female superhero stories.” 

 

[Bosco685]

Will have to check the Disney results over the next quarter.

Black Panther merchandising news

[Bosco685]

Since one of the big merchandising gaps is the Marvel theme park rights leading to all those goodies offered at such parks...

That Darn Marvel Contract – What Rights Does Universal and Disney Own

Quote

One of the most polarizing discussions in the theme park community is whenever rumors start up that a Marvel Comics-themed idea is coming to Universal Orlando or Walt Disney World. When The Walt Disney Company bought Marvel Comics in 2009 for $4 billion, it provided more headaches to the never-ending “Rights” debate. Like clockwork, fans go back and forth on which resort can use who, what, when, where, why, how, etc. and go through mental gymnastics as to why they are right.

-----------------------

In 1994, the Marvel Entertainment Group entered into a binding contract with Universal Orlando’s then-overlord, MCA, Inc. The contract allowed Universal Orlando to construct and maintain a “Marvel Universe” within their planned second gate (a.k.a the future Islands of Adventure). The contract remains in perpetuity, or indefinitely, unless Universal decides to close Marvel Super Hero Island, stop making payments for property usage, or Marvel opts out of the contract feeling their brand is suffering through Universal’s usage of the property.

The official excerpt from the agreement:

 

ONCE THE MARVEL UNIVERSE OPENS WITHIN THE ABOVE TIME PERIOD, THE TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL CONTINUE FOR SO LONG AS A THE MARVEL UNIVERSE SHALL REMAIN OPEN (AND OPERATED CONSISTENT WITH THE STANDARDS OF THE NEXT PARAGRAPH BELOW) AT ANY UNIVERSAL THEME PARK (ALLOWING FOR TEMPORARY CLOSURES FOR FORCE MAJEURE EVENTS OR REFURBISHMENT/MAINTENANCE PROVIDED THEY ARE BEING DILIGENTLY PURSUED), EXCEPT FOR TERMINATION FOR MATERIAL BREACH (WITH WRITTEN NOTICE AND A REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY TO CURE).

 

EACH THE MARVEL UNIVERSE SHALL BE OPERATED AND MAINTAINED IN A FIRST CLASS MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF THE THEME PARK INDUSTRY AND SHALL BE DEEMED “OPEN” ONLY WHEN OPERATED IN SUCH MANNER (SUBJECT TO TEMPORARY CLOSURES FOR FORCE MAJEURE EVENTS AS DESCRIBED IN THE PRIOR PARAGRAPH).

 

AT SUCH TIME AS ANY THE MARVEL UNIVERSE IS NO LONGER OPEN AT A PARTICULAR UNIVERSAL THEME PARK, ALL EXCLUSIVITY AND MARKETING RIGHTS ACQUIRED BY MCA AS A RESULT OF THE OPENING OF SUCH THE MARVEL UNIVERSE AT SUCH UNIVERSAL THEME PARK, AS SET FORTH IN SECTION IV BELOW, SHALL TERMINATE AND THIS AGREEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BE CONSTRUED AS IF THE NOTICE OF INTENT TO OPEN THE MARVEL UNIVERSE HAD NOT BEEN GIVEN BY MCA.

 

After Disney’s purchase of Marvel in 2009, the contract did not become void; meaning all verbiage stated in the 1994 contract still takes precedent. With the foundations of the contract now set and hopefully understood; what rights do Universal and Disney currently own? The most important verbiage is that Universal owns the rights to Marvel “in perpetuity”; meaning for as long as the contract is in good standing. Either party may terminate the contract; however, Marvel must have a legitimate, legal reason to why the contract is void (poor upkeep, not upholding the quality of the IP, etc.).

 

EITHER PARTY MAY TERMINATE THIS AGREEMENT UPON A MATERIAL BREACH OF THE OTHER PARTY, SUBJECT TO WRITTEN NOTICE AND A REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY TO CURE. ALTHOUGH THE PARTIES MAY ULTIMATELY ENTER INTO A MORE FORMAL AGREEMENT CONTAINING THE ABOVE TERMS, UNTIL SUCH OCCURS, THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE BINDING ON THE PARTIES.

 

Universal Orlando owns the rights to Marvel usage for all areas East of the Mississippi River for any property they are currently using. Per the contract:

 

EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI – ANY OTHER THEME PARK IS LIMITED TO USING CHARACTERS NOT CURRENTLY BEING USED BY MCA AT THE TIME SUCH OTHER LICENSE IS GRANTED. [FOR PURPOSE OF THIS SUBSECTION AND SUBSECTION IV, A CHARACTER IS “BEING USED BY MCA” IF (X) IT OR ANOTHER CHARACTER OF THE SAME “FAMILY” (E.G., ANY MEMBER OF THE FANTASTIC FOUR, THE AVENGERS OR VILLAINS ASSOCIATED WITH A HERO BEING USED) IS MORE THAN AN INCIDENTAL ELEMENT OF AN ATTRACTION, IS PRESENTED AS A COSTUMED CHARACTER, OR IS MORE THAN AN INCIDENTAL ELEMENT OF THE THEMING OF A RETAIL STORE OR FOOD FACILITY;

 

Universal Orlando currently has 4 attractions in use based on properties from The Avengers, X-Men, Spider-Man, and Fantastic Four.

 

Due to this verbiage, Disney cannot install any attraction with these families for use in Orlando. The utilization of those 4 “families” includes a lot of characters in the Marvel Universe, specifically the “big ticket” characters – such as Wolverine, Spidey (obviously), and Iron Man. In addition, Universal Studios Japan features a Spider-Man ride clone, so Tokyo Disney cannot utilize Spider-Man.

 

Other than that – Disney is free to use Marvel in any other Disney park they wish.

 

Per the agreement, a Marvel-based attraction cannot be featured at Walt Disney World if the family is in use at Universal Orlando. With the 2017 announcement of the Guardians of the Galaxy ride coming to Epcot, it is clear that those characters are not related to any of the families that Universal uses in their park, which is why Disney is allowed to bring the characters to Walt Disney World. The only question mark is Drax, who has greater ties to the Avengers family;  as he has been noticeably missing from all concept art.

Very interesting review of the legal language with Universal.

[Bosco685]

Interesting about West of the Mississippi what is allowed.

Quote

“What about Disneyland?” Here’s where things get sticky. Per the contract, from Section 10 to 12:

 

WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI – ANY OTHER THEME PARK MAY USE ANY MARVEL CHARACTERS WHETHER OR NOT USED BY MCA.

 

 III.  EAST OR WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI – PERMITTED USES SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE USE OF SPECIFIC MARVEL CHARACTERS AND MARVEL MAY NOT PERMIT A LICENSEE TO USE THE NAME “MARVEL” AS PART OF THE ATTRACTION NAME OR MARKETING.

 

IV. EAST OR WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI – THE FOREGOING PERMITTED USES WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING MARKETING RESTRICTIONS:

 

IF THE PARTICULAR CHARACTER IS USED BY MCA (AS DEFINED ABOVE), SUCH CHARACTER WILL NOT BE ADVERTISED OR PROMOTED EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI, EXCEPT BY MEANS OF NATIONAL NETWORK BUYSOF TELEVISION, WITHIN PRINTED MATERIALS SUCH AS BROCHURES, OR BY PRINT ADVERTISEMENTS IN PERIODICALS DIRECTED TO READERS MORE THAN 300 MILES FROM ORLANDO; AND WITH REGARD TO ANY OF THE FOREGOING PERMITTED MARKETING, IF THE MARKETING IS FOR A GROUP OF THEME PARKS LOCATED BOTH EAST AND WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI, THE MARKETING SHALL MAKE ABUNDANTLY CLEAR THAT THE CHARACTER ONLY APPEARS IN THE PARKS WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI AND SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO CONFUSION ON SUCH POINT (SUCH AS WOULD OCCUR BY VISUAL INCLUSION OF THE CHARACTER IN A GENERIC, MULTIPARK ADVERTISEMENT SUBJECT TO A SMALL PRINT EXPLANATION OF THE PARKS WHERE THE CHARACTER IS PRESENT).

 

(B)IF THE PARTICULAR CHARACTER IS NOT USED BY MCA, SUCH CHARACTER WILL NOT BE ADVERTISED OR PROMOTED BY MEANS OF (X) SPOT TELEVISION BUYS, BILLBOARDS, PERSONAL APPEARANCES, OR PRINT ADVERTISEMENTS WHICH ARE (Y) VIEWED, LOCATED OR PRIMARILY DIRECTED TO PERSONS WITHIN 300 MILES OF ORLANDO. IN OTHER WORDS, REGIONAL (I.E. COVERING A MULTI-STATE GEOGRAPHIC REGION) OR NATIONAL TELEVISION OR PRINT MEDIA BUYS, OR BROCHURES WOULD NOT BE PROHIBITED WITHIN SUCH 300 MILE RADIUS.

 

Here it’s noted that characters can be used by other parks, but have limited advertising opportunities. Marvel also cannot permit the use of the name Marvel as part of an attraction or marketing, this is why at Disneyland Super Hero HQ is the name for the meet and greet and it’s the Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend. The recent announcement of a Marvel Land coming to Disney California Adventure is referred to as, temporarily, the “new Super Hero-themed land”.

 

[Bosco685]

2018 Top 150 Global Licensors has Disney at $53B worldwide in merchandising. So massive, it is sickening. Even comparing the Top 75, nobody comes close to Disney.

License Global’s Top 150 Licensors Annual Report

Quote

THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY $53B (NYSE: DIS) WWW.DCPI.DISNEY.COM

 

As the world’s largest licensor, The Walt Disney Company brings its iconic stories and characters to life for families and fans of all ages through innovative products and experiences. In fiscal 2017, global retail sales of licensed product reached $53 billion. This number is inclusive of licensed products and games across Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media (DCPI), Studio Entertainment, ABC Television and ESPN. Star Wars has enjoyed unprecedented success in the licensing space since Disney rebooted the franchise with Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2017, thanks to 10 years of pent up demand from fans. Despite the expected decline in 2017, Star Wars remained the No. 1 global toy property (according to The NPD Group) for the third consecutive year, and the No. 2 overall U.S. toy property (No. 1 during the last 9 weeks of the year at holiday).

 

Marvel also had an incredible year with three major films, animated and live-action series, comics and video games, all of which supported the core franchises of Avengers, Spider-Man and Guardians of the Galaxy and their related merchandise lines. Marvel Studios alone has three films. Black Panther, which has already broken box office records, represents the largest product line ever for a Marvel origin film to-date. This year will see the releases of Avengers: Infinity War, Ant Man and the Wasp and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (Sony). Additionally, Marvel’s Spider-Man video game will be releasing later this year. Continuing the great momentum from last year’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Solo: A Star Wars Story hits screens in May.

 

Disney is also celebrating Mickey and Minnie’s 90th anniversary across all segments of the company with robust marketing, brand collaborations and retail activations throughout 2018.

 

[ComicConnoisseur]

1 hour ago, Bosco685 said:

2018 Top 150 Global Licensors has Disney at $53B worldwide in merchandising. So massive, it is sickening. Even comparing the Top 75, nobody comes close to Disney.

License Global’s Top 150 Licensors Annual Report

 

interesting that Hasbro(Transformers) makes more money than Warner(Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman).

Another shocker MLB makes more than the NFL.

[ComicConnoisseur]

Yeah Disney with Marvel and Star Wars owns it.

[valiantman]

1 hour ago, ComicConnoisseur said:

Another shocker MLB makes more than the NFL.

You were shocked by the exact same thing on August 22, 2016, in this same topic.

 

[ComicConnoisseur]

26 minutes ago, valiantman said:

You were shocked by the exact same thing on August 22, 2016, in this same topic.

 

and I continue to be shocked. All we hear is baseball is dead by the naysayers  but it is the number one licensed sports product.

As someone who is a big Boston sports fan I find the MLB the far more interesting sport.

In order how I like them.

Red Sox

Patriots

Celtics

Bruins.

[Hawkman]

2 hours ago, ComicConnoisseur said:

 

Another shocker MLB makes more than the NFL.

It's not a shock at all. How many baseball hats do you see worldwide? Yankees and Dodgers are worn everywhere. Football teams just can't compete. Even in LA, where the Lakers are the biggest and most popular team, far more people wear Dodgers caps.

[valiantman]

MLB has $5.5B and NFL has $3.5B...

BUT...

The MLB plays 4,860 games and generates $5.5B in licensed revenue.

The NFL plays 256 games and generates $3.5B in licensed revenue.

Per game, then numbers are $1,130,000 for MLB and $13,670,000 for NFL.

That's why the NFL "feels bigger".  Per game, it's more than 10 times bigger.

[revat]

As stated, baseball caps are unbelievably ubiquitous.  Also, there's a zillion more baseball games per year, people who go to a lot of games would want to mix up their wardrobes more.

Also, even though in China NBA is way bigger, its become a fashionable thing for women to wear pink Yankees hats sold at official 'MLB' stores in China, which mostly sell 'fashionable' baseball hats for women, mostly Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox.

 

But also as stated, the NFL is freaking tearing it up in terms of per game and as an investment.  It should also be noted that the NFL has weakest players union of any major US sport.

[kimik]

I heard a commentary on MLB vs NFL licensing licensing revenues during a local sports show  a couple of months ago, and a lawyer who reps companies for both said that MLB has tighter legal control over its licensing, especially anything online/streaming. According to him, that is why it makes more than the NFL even though the NFL is by far the more popular sports league. 

[Bosco685]

Since we don't always get a clear glimpse into the financial details, this is interesting.

Quote

The Licensing Letter (an American market research firm) estimated that Superman licensed merchandise made $722 million in sales globally in 2017. 44.7% of this revenue came from the North American market.

 

For comparison, in the same year, Spider-Man merchandise made $1.4 billion and Star Wars merchandise made $2.4 billion globally.

Not sure how much benefit Sony thought it would realize in 2011 when it sold the merchandising rights back to Disney. But wow!