Latest news with #LicensingInternational
Globe and Mail
10 hours ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Digital Silk Announces Article: Brand Licensing Trends and Considerations for 2025
Chicago, Illinois--(Newsfile Corp. - August 20, 2025) - Digital Silk, an award-winning digital agency focused on creating brand strategies, custom websites and digital marketing campaigns, announces the publication of a new article, " Brand Licensing: Trends and Considerations for 2025." The guide reviews how companies may evaluate licensing opportunities, outlining potential benefits, challenges and market considerations. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Growth of Brand Licensing in the U.S. Brand licensing continues to be a growing sector of the U.S. economy. According to the Licensing International 2024 Global Study, retail sales of licensed merchandise in the United States generated over $130 billion annually, reflecting steady demand for collaborations that expand brand reach across categories. Key Insights from the Guide The article organizes practical information for businesses considering licensing as part of brand strategy, including: The role of licensing in extending brand equity into new markets Legal and compliance requirements companies must evaluate Potential revenue streams balanced against operational risks Examples of sectors where licensing demand has grown, such as fashion, sports and entertainment Strategic alignment between licensors and licensees for long-term brand value Editorial Team Perspective "The article was developed to provide organizations with a structured overview of licensing considerations in 2025," said Gabriel Shaoolian, CEO of Digital Silk. "It summarizes current market data and highlights key checkpoints companies may use when evaluating partnerships." Access "Brand Licensing: Trends and Considerations for 2025" is available now on Digital Silk's website. Businesses exploring expansion or collaboration models may reference the guide as part of brand development planning. Read the article: About Digital Silk Digital Silk is an award-winning Chicago Branding Agency focused on growing brands online. With a team of seasoned experts, the company creates digital experiences through strategic branding, custom web design and digital marketing services to help improve visibility and support engagement.
Business Standard
03-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
India's Largest Official Character Merchandise Company, Dhananjai Lifestyle Ltd, Launches Multiverse.fashion
PNN Howrah (West Bengal) [India], June 3: Licensed character merchandise is no longer a niche in India. As per a 2024 report by Licensing International, India's licensed merchandise market is growing rapidly at a CAGR of 8.3%. The industry currently has a $7631.79 million market share in India. Among this growing demand for affordable and premium licensed merchandise, Dhananjai Lifestyle Ltd is making headlines with the launch of its new brand and flagship platform, which will officially go live on June 27, 2025. Dhananjai Lifestyle Ltd. is an experienced organisation with over two decades of manufacturing expertise. The company has grown into a successful conglomerate with brands like Mom's Love, Minute Mirth, Game Begins, Tinyo, Eteenz, Happy Faces, Wildwoods, and Denikid under its umbrella. However, unlike these individual brands, is being launched as a comprehensive umbrella brand, bringing all the company's licensed character-based fashion offerings under one unified identity and platform. With a 700+ strong team and partnerships with over 150 global character franchises--including licenses from Warner Brothers, Paramount, Mattel, Hasbro, and Japanese anime studios--Dhananjai Lifestyle Ltd. has established itself as India's largest official character merchandise company. The group boasts more than 2,200 retail touchpoints across 22 Indian states and has received industry recognition for its excellence in design, sustainability, and licensed innovation. With the launch of Dhananjai Lifestyle Ltd. aims to establish a full-spectrum, fan-first fashion house that also serves as a D2C e-commerce platform, catering to the growing demand for reasonably priced, authentic, and high-quality character-focused merchandise. Mr. Ansul Agarwal, a third-generation entrepreneur, is currently spearheading this new initiative. Speaking about the inspiration behind he said, "We saw a huge gap in the Indian market where fans didn't have access to premium, character-based fashion at fair prices. With we're merging trend-savvy design, ethical manufacturing, and pop culture into everyday wear for every age group." As a fandom-focused brand, offers an expansive product line that includes tees, joggers, co-ords, denim, sweatshirts, onesies, and more. With monthly character drops and exclusive franchise collaborations, the platform is built to deliver fresh, trend-driven collections for all demographics. Backed by a young and passionate team, is set to lead the licensed merchandise space in India. In today's era of Gen-Z and Millennials, where fashion is synonymous with self-expression, goes beyond selling clothes--it offers fans a sense of identity, nostalgia, and belonging.
Associated Press
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Licensing Expo Unites Global Leaders as Industry Surges with $13 Billion Annual Growth
Licensing Expo addressed tariffs, category diversification, uncovered new IP and brought together global decision makers. LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESS Newswire / May 22, 2025 / Licensing Expo, the leading event dedicated to licensing, IP extension and brand collaborations, organized by Informa Markets' Global Licensing Group and sponsored by Licensing International, gathered over 12,000 registered professionals, including leading retailers, licensees and manufacturers to connect with brand owners and agents to discuss new deals driving licensed consumer products and brand collaborations of the next two to five years. Recently announced in the Licensing International 2025 Global Licensing Industry Study, worldwide sales of licensed products and services totaled $369.6 billion plus last year, up from $356.5 billion in 2023. With a record of over 10,000 accepted meeting invites, developing purposeful relationships remains the core focus of Licensing Expo. Hosting 381 exhibiting companies, with 142 new to show exhibitors like Calm, emoji, FC Barcelona, Roblox and UFC, more than 5,000 established and upcoming brands were represented from entertainment, sports, fashion, food and beverage, toys and art and design. Brand owners, licensing agents, licensees and service providers powering the biggest names like Airstream, Coca-Cola, Crayola, Nintendo, NASCAR and LEGO as well as major studios Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount, Disney, Hasbro, NBCUniversal, Mattel and Netflix, connected to negotiate, earn and plan new IP partnership deals throughout the showcase including two days of media upfronts and three days of exhibition. Celebrity guest appearances ranged from Mike Tyson, Vanessa Hudgens, Young Dirty Bastard (YDB) and Lil Mr. E of Foo's Gone Wild. International attendees represented nearly 30% of the expo audience with global buyers keen to gain first access to new releases unveiled at the industry's global meeting place. Exhibitors spanned 30 countries, with emerging opportunities across South Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin American markets. Increased major retailer presence from companies such as Amazon, Dick's Sporting Goods, H&M, Inditex, Miniso, Pop Mart, Primark, Target and Walmart were among 2,000 e-commerce, specialty shops and big box stores, reaching sought-after brands to add to store shelves in the coming seasons. A riveting panel addressed top-of-mind concerns and challenges on navigating the global tariff environment with actionable insights reviewing strategies from legal solutions and implementing specific protective clauses as well as balanced approaches to shipping and warehousing considerations. Experts Steven Heller (The Brand Liaison), Jed Ferdinand (Meister Seelig & Fein), Sam Hafif (Concept One Accessories) and Jay Foreman (Basic Fun!) commented on the importance of face-to-face connection at Licensing Expo to negotiate key deals, stay on top of fast changing decision needs and maintain bottom line. 'You could feel the momentum fueling the next generation of licensing across the show floor. The record number of meetings, new to show innovative concepts looking to break into the market, unique emerging category opportunities, showcases from global leaders across all major production studio houses, as well as the presence of name-brand goliaths known all around by devoted fans, proves the resilience of the licensing community,' says Anna Clarke, Senior Vice President of the Global Licensing Group at Informa Markets. 'The message was clear that as we navigate the future of the supply chain together, the value of connecting in person at the industry's most important deal-making event is irreplaceable, fostering quality connections with game-changing business outcomes.' 'The licensing landscape in 2025 is evolving with remarkable agility in response to both economic pressures and changing consumer behaviors. At Licensing Expo, we observed how brands are strategically navigating tariff challenges while simultaneously capitalizing on the resurgence of nostalgic brand revivals that continue to resonate deeply with fans. Significant growth in food and beverage licensing marks a fresh powerhouse sector in interesting cross collaborations while wellness category opportunities are emerging from trend to essential consumer priority. Necessity, emotional connection and customer experience will be core decision motivators both for purchasers and manufacturers. Licensors and licensees are collaborating to create authentic engagements that transcend traditional product boundaries proving once again that our industry thrives on creativity even amid market complexities,' notes Amanda Cioletti, VP of Content and Strategy at the Global Licensing Group. Announcements from top brands included TV family favorite, Hasbro's Peppa Pig, welcoming the addition of baby sister, Evie, to its character roster; Monster Jam's new Grave Digger Stars & Stripe monster truck reveal; Disney's plans for the production of Toy Story 5, as the franchise celebrates its 30th anniversary, as well as Roblox's first-ever off-platform retail link, the Approved Merchandiser Program (AMP), for official purchases to avatar items and accessories; and finally The Skibidi Toilet movie announcing famed Michael Bay to direct. Location-Based Entertainment, another growing category segment for licensing, also celebrated the launch of Universal's Epic Universe, opening to the public this week. The licensing industry remains incredibly resilient and innovative, constantly finding new ways to connect beloved brands with consumers across increasingly diverse touchpoints through the upcoming transformative frontier for brand extension. From inception to proof of concept, manufacturing to retail, and expansion to cross-category proliferation, Licensing Expo remains the premier destination to negotiate the biggest and best brand deals in-person and build a lifelong network of industry resources and experts to deliver the products consumers know and love around the world today. Licensing Expo returns May 19-21, 2026, at Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Brand Licensing Europe will convene at Excel London, UK, October 7-9, 2025. To stay updated on events from Global Licensing Group, please visit Follow the latest and most up-to-date news from the top authority voice in the licensing industry, online at About Licensing Expo Launched in 1980, Licensing Expo is the world's largest and most influential annual tradeshow dedicated to licensing and brand extension. Every year, more than 5,000 brands and 16,000 retailers, licensees, manufacturers, distributors, and licensing agents attend Licensing Expo from more than 70 countries. Licensing Expo is a part of the Global Licensing Group at Informa Markets, the licensing industry's leading tradeshow organizer and media partner. Its mission is to provide licensing opportunities around the world by bringing brands and products together. Connect with Licensing Expo and join the conversation on LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram. About Licensing International Licensing International is the leading trade organization for the $369+ billion global licensing industry. Licensing International's mission is to foster the growth and expansion of licensing around the world, raise the level of professionalism for licensing practitioners, and create greater awareness of the benefits of licensing to the business community at large. Founded in 1985, Licensing International members in over 40 countries enjoy access to an array of benefits, including extensive educational programming and worldwide networking events. Visit for more information and to utilize licensing's definitive online resource. Media Contact Global Licensing Group PR [email protected] SOURCE: INFORMA MARKETS - GLOBAL LICENSING GROUP press release
Business Wire
20-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Licensing International's 2025 Global Study Shows Licensing Industry Reached $369.6 Billion
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Licensing International, the leading trade association for the $369.6+ billion global brand licensing industry, has released an executive summary of its 2025 Global Licensing Industry Study. The study shows the continued worldwide sales growth of licensed products and services across categories including corporate, sports, entertainment, celebrities, fashion, and more. 'The global brand licensing industry continues to show remarkable resilience and growth. In 2024, consumers demonstrated unwavering loyalty to the brands, characters, and properties they love—despite ongoing economic uncertainty' - Maura Regan Share This year's Global Licensing Industry Study will be published later this summer and was conducted by third-party research firm Brandar Consulting, LLC. 'The global brand licensing industry continues to show remarkable resilience and growth. In 2024, consumers demonstrated unwavering loyalty to the brands, characters, and properties they love—despite ongoing economic uncertainty,' said Maura Regan, President of Licensing International. 'Once again, the brand licensing industry outperformed the broader global retail market, reinforcing the fact that trusted brands drive more consumer engagement and inform purchasing decisions.' The 2025 Global Study results are derived from multiple sources of market information as well as survey-reported data from 56 countries and all seven major geographic regions. In all, the study's analysis includes specific licensing data from 935 companies spanning the globe. Key takeaways from the 2025 Global Licensing Industry Study include: The Entertainment/Characters segment grew 1.5% to reach $149.8 billion in revenue. Growth was weaker in 2024 compared to previous years, due in part to the writers' and actors' strikes, which stalled production and pushed a number of titles to later dates on the calendar. There was a significant boost towards the end of the year, however, thanks to Universal's Wicked, Disney's Moana 2, and Paramount's Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Revenue was split between Film & TV (43%) and Anime, Gaming, and Social Media (33%). The majority of revenue in this category came from classic & franchise properties (77%), while 20% stemmed from new properties. Top performing property categories in terms of growth rates in 2024 included Non-Profit (+16.8%), Music (+11.6%), Celebrity (+8.8%), Fashion (+8.1%), Corporate (+6.1%), and Sports (+3.6%). Several regions reported above market average growth rates in 2024, including South Asia/PAC (+6.8%), ME/Africa (+6%), Eastern Europe (+5.9%), and LATAM (+4.4%). Further results from Licensing International's 2025 Global Licensing Industry Study will be published in the complete report, including regional and country-by-country breakdowns for major markets. The full Global Study will be made available for free to Licensing International members (and publicly for purchase) later this summer. About Licensing International Licensing International is the leading trade organization for the $369+ billion global licensing industry. Licensing International's mission is to foster the growth and expansion of licensing around the world, raise the level of professionalism for licensing practitioners, and create greater awareness of the benefits of licensing to the business community at large. Founded in 1985, Licensing International members in over 40 countries enjoy access to an array of benefits, including extensive educational programming and worldwide networking events. Visit for more information and to utilize licensing's definitive online resource. About Brandar Consulting, LLC Brandar Consulting, LLC is a 17-year old firm committed to providing companies subject matter expertise in the areas of Brand Licensing, Market Research, Market Analysis, Brand Extension and Business Strategy. The firm specializes in helping organizations start or proactively expand Brand/Trademark Licensing Programs. The key components in its suite of services are conducting brand equity & category extension research, in-licensing brand identification research, product market analysis, modeling brand royalty potential, and conducting factor analysis to set priorities for Licensing Plans. Visit for more information.
Associated Press
19-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Global Licensing Group Launches Licensing Unlocked, a Revolutionary Education and Accreditation Tool for the Licensing Industry
LONDON, UK / ACCESS Newswire The Global Licensing Group at Informa Markets, the premier destination for advancing the business of licensing, brand extension and collaborations, today announces its brand-new educational program, Licensing Unlocked. In partnership with Licensing International, Licensing Unlocked is the first program of its kind to offer online educational sessions live and on-demand to bridge the knowledge gap for industry newcomers and provide ongoing education and accreditations for seasoned professionals. Licensing Unlocked contains eight learning modules enabling users to quickly grasp the essentials of brand licensing and learn legal, financial, creative and partnering best practices. The content is delivered by ten trusted licensing experts featuring more than 50 instructional videos, 17 resources and templates, practical case studies and real-world examples in categories such as licensing in food and beverage, apparel, toys and games, entertainment and more. Furthermore, Licensing Unlocked is accredited by Licensing International. 'We are delighted to launch Licensing Unlocked, a program borne out of clear industry demand for education and onboarding tools for professionals new to the world of brand licensing, extensions, collaborations and partnerships, as well as companies looking to evaluate the revenue potential it could provide to their business. It also represents our commitment to provide accessible, high-quality education alongside our industry leading events and media content. Licensing Unlocked is more than just a training program, it is a gateway to the vast opportunities within the Global Licensing Group's ecosystem and those provided by our partner, Licensing International.' Anna Clarke, Senior Vice President, Global Licensing Group, Informa Markets. 'We are proud to be partnering with the Global Licensing Group at Informa Markets on this new educational initiative. The carefully curated content in Licensing Unlocked will be invaluable to those wanting to understand more about licensing and its potential across every level of the business, including for manufacturers, brand owners and retailers. Participants will gain insights from leading industry experts and from Licensing International, the leading global trade association for the licensing industry.' Steve Manners, Vice President of Global Marketing at Licensing International. The first module, 'Licensing Explained, The ABCs of Brand Licensing', is taught by industry expert Susan Bolsover, the Founder of Lightbulb Licensing in the UK. With a background of more than 24 years in brand licensing and consumer products, Bolsover dives into the world of brand licensing and its impact on businesses globally, exploring how brand licensing can benefit businesses and explains key players involved in the licensing journey, discussing where licensing comes from and how licensing is applied. 'Licensing Unlocked is a game changer for the industry. It helps provide those new to the business of licensing with all the tools and inside knowledge they need to help get them started in their career. It is also a great resource for businesses looking to onboard new members of staff or for those wanting to learn more about licensing to help them grow and diversify. Its accessible and easily digestible format also means it is easy to navigate to the sections most relevant to you and your business which means users are sure to get the most out of the course content.' Susan Bolsover, Lightbulb Licensing. The launch of Licensing Unlocked comes at a crucial time when the licensing industry is experiencing rapid growth and evolution. According to Licensing International's recent study, global sales of licensed merchandise and services marked $356.5 billion in retail sales in 2023, a 4.6% increase from the previous year. Licensing Unlocked is set to become an indispensable resource for brands, retailers, licensees, manufacturers and licensing agents seeking to navigate the increasingly complex licensing landscape. The first module of Licensing Unlocked is free to access. To participate, please visit The Global Licensing Group at Informa Markets, a subsidiary of Informa plc (LON:INF), is the licensing industry's leading tradeshow organizer and media partner. Its mission is to provide licensing opportunities around the world by bringing brands and products together. The following events and information products are produced for the licensing industry by the Global Licensing Group at Informa Markets: Licensing Expo, Brand Licensing Europe, Licensing Expo Shanghai and License Global. Global Licensing Group events are sponsored by Licensing International. About Licensing International Licensing International is the leading trade organization for the $356+ billion global brand licensing industry. Licensing International's mission is to foster the growth of brand licensing around the world, raise the level of professionalism for licensing practitioners, and create greater awareness of the benefits of licensing to the business community at large. Founded in 1985, more than 1,500 Licensing International member companies in over 40 countries enjoy access to an array of benefits, including extensive educational programming and worldwide networking events. Visit for more information. Media Contact
