Executive Moves

Eric Morse, ex-Spencer Gifts and Spirit Halloween, named SVP Content Partnerships and General Manager for Global Licensing at Redbubble… Changes at Fanatics: Derek Eiler, ex-Fermata Partners, joins to head new college division as Fanatics acquires Fermata from Creative Artists Agency (CAA); Chris Prindiville, ex-Fermata, and Brian Swallow, Fanatics SVP for strategy and business development, named SVPs; Fermata founders Kit Walsh and Scott Bouyack are now part of newly named CAA Sports Licensing, representing the PGA Tour, Kentucky Derby and several English Premier League soccer teams.

Contacts:

Fanatics College, Derek Eiler, 404-374-2279

Redbubble, Eric Morse, SVP Content Partnerships and General Mgr. for Global Licensing, 415-644-5181, eric.morse@redbubble.com

Electronic Arts’ New Star Wars Title in Beta

Electronic Arts (EA) has received “very strong feedback” from consumers on the beta version of “Star Wars: Battlefront 2” CEO Andrew Wilson told analysts. The game is set for release on Nov. 17 in advance of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, which opens in theaters on Dec. 15.

Meanwhile, EA’s net loss in Q2 ended Sept. 30 narrowed to $22 million from $38 million a year earlier as net revenue rose 6.7% to $989 million on strong digital sales. Digital sales rose 22% to $689 million behind a 26% gain in “live” (in-game purchases, subscriptions and advertising) revenue to $408 million. Full download revenue rose 31% to $123 million, while mobile sales increased 6% to $158 million. The surge in digital sales was led by the release of FIFA 18 in September and NFL Madden 18. At the same time, sales of packaged titles at retail declined 19% to $270 million.

Contact:

Electronic Arts, Blake Jorgensen, Chief Financial Officer, 650-628-1500

Under Armour Posts Increase in Licensing Revenue

Under Armour posted a 16% increase in licensing revenue to $34 million in Q3 ended Sept. 30, largely driven by the North American market, the company said. The gain in licensing revenue was in contrast to Under Armour’s total business in North America, where revenue declined 12% to $1.1 billion. Overall, revenue dropped 5% to $1.44 billion as the decline in North America was offset by a 35% increase in international revenue to $305 million. Net income for the quarter declined to $54.2 million from $128.2 million a year earlier as it took an $89 million restructuring charge partly tied to the cutting of 300 jobs.

Contact:

Under Armour, David Bergman, Chief Financial Officer, 410-454-6428,dbergman@underarmour.com

Glu Mobile’s Taylor Swift Title to Launch by Year-End

Glu Mobile’s new Taylor Swift-licensed “Swift Life” has seen “high engagement and retention” since starting a beta test in in New Zealand and Singapore in October with plans for a full release late this year, Glu Mobile CEO Nick Earl told analysts.

The mobile game, structured as a social network, has received only a small amount of input from Swift during the beta, but will get her “full attention” as it moves to full release, Earl said. Swift has made a handful of posts to the game during the beta, he said.

Meanwhile, the company expects to release its new World Wrestling Entertainment title in mid-2018 and will have a new version of MLB Tap Baseball in spring 2018.

Glu Mobile’s net loss in Q3 ended Sept. 30 narrowed to $11.6 million from $43.7 million a year earlier as revenue soared to $81.1 million from $51.3 million largely on strength of sales of the interior design title Design Home and MLB Tap Baseball. Net revenuefor Design Home, which Glu Mobile acquired in buying Crowdstar, was $30.4 million, while those for MLB Tap Baseball were $40 million.

Contact:

Glu Mobile, Nick Earl, CEO, 415-800-6100