While the world's soccer fans have known for years where the top national teams would be headed for the 2022 World Cup, it's taken until now to nail down where their digital counterparts would be playing. 

Electronic Arts and FIFA have signed a licensing extension that will continue a relationship that’s been in place for two decades. The new agreement has FIFA and EA paired up until the end of 2022, VentureBeat reports. The partnership has paid off handsomely for both brands: every week, about 65 million FIFA video game matches are played.

“Our relationship with EA Sports is of high importance to FIFA,” said Jérôme Valcke, FIFA Secretary General, in a release. “The FIFA videogames are a key experiential component in our work to communicate the FIFA brand and its values all over the world. This is highlighted by the 2.5 million football fans that have competed in this year’s FIFA Interactive World Cup, which is just one example of the power of our partnership with EA.”Continue reading...

When you’re working for public broadcasting, it helps to have an entrepreneurial spirit.

So the producers of the Emmy and Golden Globe-winning TV drama Downton Abbey are going all out to bring in some extra revenue by expanding from DVD sales to creating a whole line of clothing, homeware, furniture, wallpaper, beauty products and stationery around the show that will go on sale later this year, according to CNBC.

After all, who couldn’t use an extra cape, cravat or pair of elbow-length gloves?Continue reading...

Even as Ford has been greatly expanding licensing of its trademarks on a huge variety of new types of goods, there remains one constant: Nothing sells like Mustang ware. And as Ford begins to celebrate the original pony car's 50th anniversary this spring, the Mustang licensing juggernaut is picking up a big head of power.

Ford is trying a new approach to leverage the Mustang's appeal beyond the hundreds of watches, die-cast cars, cologne and even a Mustang pool table that have been so popular for years. Now, Ford is also bringing in non-endemic products from manufacturers who themselves have a symbolic relationship with the car or at least to American manufacturing, Marketing Daily reported.

That includes, for instance, the Mustang Watch, which is made in Detroit by Shinola, a specialty shop in a downtown factory loft, which also makes bicycles, artisanal leather goods and paper goods. Ford says only 1,000 of the Shinola Mustang watches will be sold.Continue reading...

With its most famous resident putting a "For Sale" sign in her front yard, the city of Malibu, California, is looking for new ways to attract tourists and boost income. 

CNBC reports that Malibu has signed a deal with Excel Corp. in order to start “licensing apparel, active wear, and even things like sunglasses, watches, and volleyballs” with the extra money going to “fund special projects.”

The city is forking over $90,000 for Excel to design a logo and find licensees.Continue reading...

In an all-out assault on Europe for the 2012 holiday shopping season, American toy-maker Hasbro is re-launching a number of its classic toy lines and making a big licensing push at Brand Licensing Europe in London from October 16-18.

In the US, Hasbro recently re-launched its classic Furby brand, the quirky mechanical creature "with a mind of its own" that caused a sensation some fifteen years ago. The updated version uses a blend of robotic engineering and digital programming "that brings a whole new way to play to kids," said Samantha Lomow, Hasbro's SVP, New Brand Franchises and Global Brand Leader. "The personality of each Furby appears to evolve by the way children play with it, and every unpredictable action and reaction helps make each Furby seem unique." 

Now Hasbro bringing Furby to Europe with a wide-ranging licensing program. Get ready for all things Furby, including apparel and accessories, back-to-school supplies, food and beverages, home decor, paper and party goods, and sporting goods. Furby-licensed merchandise will begin arriving this fall in retail outlets in France, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Turkey and the UK. Hasbro has aggressive re-launch and licensing plans for other toy lines, too.Continue reading...

Forget martinis and even Heineken if you want to Be Bond. Coca-Cola would like you to think, and drink, Coke Zero to get your 007 on.

When the twenty-third James Bond film, Skyfall, hits screens worldwide on October 26, Bond and brand watchers will paying close attention. The upcoming movie got an unprecedented plug from the monarch atop Her Majesty's Secret Service during the opening ceremonies for the London 2012 Olympics. The film also created a bit of stir to fans of the series because beer giant Heineken struck a deal to get some product-placement within the film, even though Bond has long been known as a fan of mixed drinks, particularly the martini.

You might say fans were shaken, not stirred, by the news — but thanks to the marketers at Coke, they have a non-alcoholic way to imbibe Bond.Continue reading...

The guy who inspired the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld way back when has certainly made his fame continue to work for him. His company, SoupMan, Inc. is not expanding beyond the product he is best known for (and we don’t mean unpredictable anger).

According to a company press release, the SoupMan name is about to be spilled over a wide variety of products in “categories that include kitchen accessories, foods, souvenirs, apparel, condiments, kitchen appliances, tabletop, and more.” Get ready for SoupMan magnets, ladles, and, for the kiddies, stuffed animals.

"The SoupMan name and logo has become iconic and, as such, we are thrilled to be a part of the brand building with strategic licensees as well as direct-to retail-opportunities," said Rob Stone, a partner at the brand-development firm Excel Corp. who will be leading the charge for SoupMan. Continue reading...

Crocs Inc. is expected to announce that it exceeded $1 billion in revenue last year for the first time in its 10-year history, thanks to an expanded retail presence and snazzier styles, but don’t you dare think that’s stopping the Colorado-based company from trying to make a few more bucks. 

The Wall Street Journal reports that Crocs is on a licensing spree to spread the brand name and attain more revenue. The company has “announced licensing agreements with several manufacturers as it continues to expand its brand to accessories, apparel and eyewear.”

“Licensing presents an opportunity to leverage one of our most valuable assets – the global power of the Crocs brand - by associating it with best-in-class products that go beyond footwear,” said Mike DeBell, Crocs VP of Global Sales, in a press release. “More than 200 million pairs of Crocs shoes have been sold, in more than 90 countries around the world. That’s powerful testimony to the connection forged with consumers by the Crocs brand. Through strong international and regional licensing partners, we plan to extend the power of our brand and make new consumer connections.”Continue reading...