http://www.epmcom.com/myblog2.xml en-us info@epmcom.com http://www.epmcom.com/myblog2.xml?ID=105 The announcement in February that Bruce Willis would be lending his name to a women's fragrance from LR Health & Beauty (an extension of his men's fragrance business with the firm) seemed an odd fit, http://www.epmcom.com/myblog2.xml?ID=104 Compared to many emerging markets, the licensing business in India has a relatively high number of local properties that are licensed, from Bollywood celebrities to domestically produced animation cha http://www.epmcom.com/myblog2.xml?ID=103 The strength of licensing in home furnishings, housewares, and home décor, and the role of celebrity in those categories, are illustrated by four deals announced or launched in the last two mon http://www.epmcom.com/myblog2.xml?ID=102 With Wolverine World Wide announcing last week that it plans to acquire Collective Brands and its Sperry Top-Sider, Stride Rite, and Keds labels later this year, it seems like a good time to look at h http://www.epmcom.com/myblog2.xml?ID=101 A number of magazines have recently extended their brands into partnerships that position them as credible and trusted product curators. These arrangements differ from traditional licensing agreements http://www.epmcom.com/myblog2.xml?ID=100 Two actresses have joined the sports/collegiate licensing business with female-friendly apparel lines. Ashley Judd partnered this month with Original Retro Brand to create a line of University of http://www.epmcom.com/myblog2.xml?ID=99 In the midst of all the talk about digital distribution, the traditional print magazine category is alive and well for children's properties in the UK and many other countries (although not the U.S., http://www.epmcom.com/myblog2.xml?ID=98 To mark yesterday's Earth Day, here's a look at a potentially emerging sector for licensing within the green products business: wind turbines and solar panels. In 2009, Honeywell licensed Windtron http://www.epmcom.com/myblog2.xml?ID=97 Sometimes it seems as if there is nothing new in licensing, with innovation being a rare commodity. But every so often announcements of new products come through that really seem unique. • In Janu http://www.epmcom.com/myblog2.xml?ID=96 If being around a favorite licensed property in the form of home décor, furnishings, and housewares isn't enough, how about purchasing or building an entire home inspired by that property? Incr http://www.epmcom.com/myblog2.xml?ID=95 Within the toy industry, there used to be a schism between licensed and "classic" brands. Licensed items cyclically rose to the top of the sales charts, but ebbed and flowed quickly. Tried-and-true cl http://www.epmcom.com/myblog2.xml?ID=94 Most of the focus in sports licensing in the U.S. is centered on a few properties, including the major professional leagues, NASCAR, and key events such as the Olympics. But a significant amount of ac http://www.epmcom.com/myblog2.xml?ID=93 One sector within the DIY/home improvement category that has not received much attention, but seems to be on the rise, is licensed home-building materials, such as flooring, doors, windows, tiles, and http://www.epmcom.com/myblog2.xml?ID=92 A handful of marketers have inked deals with prospective designers to forge limited editions of apparel and home goods. While retail chains such as Target and H&M and manufacturers such as Dockers hav http://www.epmcom.com/myblog2.xml?ID=91 Venus Williams announced this month that she would relaunch her EleVen tennis apparel brand through her own company, Venusian at Large. The line, to be distributed through specialty and department sto http://www.epmcom.com/myblog2.xml?ID=90 The movement of restaurant chains into licensed prepare-at-home food items continues. Just this month, the St. Louis soul food restaurant Sweetie Pie's, which is featured in a show on the OWN Netw http://www.epmcom.com/myblog2.xml?ID=89 It's no secret that the licensed interactive gaming business has been dealing with a number of challenges. Still, certain segments seem to be bucking the trend. One case in point: Video games based on http://www.epmcom.com/myblog2.xml?ID=88 A growing number of current TV shows targeted primarily at adults are signing licensing deals, not just for customized e-commerce stores through the likes of Gold Label or CaféPress, but for re http://www.epmcom.com/myblog2.xml?ID=87 Independent companies in arts and entertainment--music labels, comic book publishers, animation producers--have been dipping their toes into licensing: • Real Deal Comix is among the independent ar http://www.epmcom.com/myblog2.xml?ID=86 Historically, most licensing activity in the jewelry category has focused on moderately priced costume or fashion jewelry for casual wear. But over the last couple of years, more deals have been forge