Tencent Licenses DC Characters for Mobile Game

China’s Tencent is licensing DC Comics characters for its “Strike of Kings” mobile game (known as “Honor of Kings” in China). The Joker, Superman and Batman have been added to Strike of Kings, which is in the midst of a “soft launch” in non-Chinese markets. The timing for the formal launch in those markets hasn’t been set. The game was developed by Tencent-owned Riot Games.

DC parent Time Warner has been expanding its reach in mobile games, having acquired Playdemic in February to develop Lego titles for mobile devices. The company’s Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment division also has developed its own DC-related mobile title, DC Legends.

Contacts:

Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Maryellen Zarakas, SVP Worldwide Franchise Management, 818-954-4170, Maryellen.zarakas@warnerbros.com

Elizabeth Arden Launching Tapout Fragrance

Elizabeth Arden will ship Tapout men’s body spray to Walmart, taking the workout brand outside apparel for the first time. The fragrance will be available in six fragrances. Tapout, which is part of an Authentic Brands Group-World Wrestling Entertainment joint venture formed in 2015, launched with athletic apparel at JC Penney’s in April 2016. A new apparel line that evokes Tapout’s heritage as a mixed martial arts fighting brand with graphic t-shirts and activewear also is being designed, says an ABG spokeswoman.

ABG acquired Tapout in 2010. Under the joint venture, ABG has the licensing rights and handles product distribution, while WWE has its wrestlers and trainers don branded apparel and features the name at its performance center in Orlando. FL. ABG is also expanding the Tapout brand’s footprint in franchised fitness centers, growing to eight from five last fall with additional locations slated this year for Pembroke Pines, FL; Woodstock, GA. New York.

Contacts:

Authentic Brands Group, Nick Woodhouse, Chief Marketing Officer, 212-760-2410 x2411

World Wrestling Entertainment, Jess Richardson, VP Licensing, 203-328-2539, jess.richardson@wwecorp.com

Vera Bradley ‘Leveraging’ Licensing

Vera Bradley is “leveraging” licensing to expand its brand into new product categories, having landed six agreements since last fall, company executives told analysts. Incipio and Fox Chapel Publishing launched sales of cellphone cases and coloring books in March and February, respectively. Mainstream added swimwear in May. And Lifeguard Press (stationery), Peking Handicraft (bedding) and Renfro (hosiery, tights, slip-on socks) plan to ship product in July. The sales of licensed products come as Vera Bradley struggles with its core bags and accessories business. The company swung to a $4 million net loss for Q1 ended April 29 from a $2.4 million profit a year earlier, as revenue fell 8% to $96.1 million.

Contact:

Vera Bradley, Stephanie Lawrence, VP Licensing, 260-482-4673, slawrence@verabradley.com