Jinx

Collectibles and apparel supplier Jinx makes a play in e-sports licensing. Jinx developed its Pro line in signing licensing and sponsorship deals with esports clubs Team Liquid and Echo Fox, says Jinx’s Zac Scuffham. Jinx also works with e-sports leagues to make official jerseys for events and tournaments, including The eSports Association (TESPA) that oversees collegiate esports.

Agencies

Epic Rights and Perryscope are representing David Bowie, replacing Live Nation and Optive, which had handled his rights for several years. There was renewed interest in Bowie for licensing following his death at 69 in January 2016. At Licensing Expo last June UK agent TBSA featured photographer Terry O’Neil’s David Bowie Collection, which included photos from early in Bowie’s career, while Jim Henson Productions highlighted the 1986 film Labyrinth, which starred Bowie as the Goblin King…. Perpetual Licensing is handling licensing for Maya Toys as the arts and crafts supplier seeks to bring its Pom Pom Wow and Orbeez brands into apparel and accessories licensing for the first time. The Pom Pom Wow products allow users to create pom poms to attached to clothing and accessories. Orbeez, which Maya sells in kits like the “soothing spa,” are tiny polymer beads that expand when placed in water.

GB eye

GB eye’s drinkware sales hit one million units in 2016, up 200% from the prior year as the licensee continues to expand from its base in posters and prints. The drinkware business was driven by a range of licenses including Harry Potter, DC Comics, The Walking Dead, Fall Out, PlayStation and Pokemon, says GB eye’s Emily Aldrige. The drinkware, first launched in 2014, encompasses 13 different designs and more than 2,000 SKUs, says Aldridge.

Fossil

Fossil sold 1.5 million wearable electronic devices in 2016, the majority of them smartwatches under its own and licensed Michael Kors brands, Fossil CFO Dennis Secor told analysts. The smartwatches, which were available across eight of Fossil’s owned and licensed brands, generated $170 million in sales, accounting for 11% of the company’s annual revenue. Fossil’s licensing business features a dozen brands including Armani, Burberry, Kate Spade and Adidas. Fossil will triple its assortment of wearable deices to 300 SKUs this year in bringing “most of our brands to the platform,” Fossil CE Kosta Kartsotis said.

AutoZone, Jada Toys

Auto parts retailer AutoZone pulls into the licensing business. Jada Toys launches a die-cast orange 1969 Chevrolet Camaro under its Big Time Muscle brand that is being sold exclusively through the 5,700-store chain. Meanwhile, Jada is expanding its line of die-cast metal action figures, introducing a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) line of 4-inch wrestler replicas including John Cena and Finn Balor.

Tommy Bahama

The Tommy Bahama brand is changing seasons. The Oxford Industries-owned label, best known as an island lifestyle brand, signed a licensing agreement with NoXS for outerwear. NoXS is introducing Tommy Bahama men’s and women’s parkas, puffers, trench and pea coats and other products carrying $120-$280 wholesale prices at MAGIC this week. The line is part of an effort by Tommy to expand the brand, starting with womenswear and adding a partnership with the NFL last fall.

Terminator

Space Goat Productions launches a Kickstarter campaign to raise $120,000 to fund development of “Terminator: The Official Board Game” slated to ship late this year. The campaign had gained $35,148 from 482 backers as of last Wednesday. The Kickstarter program runs through March 16. Space Goat partnered with Studiocanal and Oak Productions in launching development of the game last fall. Studiocanal owns licensing rights for Terminator and is represented by Creative Licensing Corp.

Executive Changes

Michelle Hagen, formerly SVP for Global Partnership Marketing at Universal Pictures, named SVP for Consumer Products Retail Development at Universal Brand Development, new position… Changes at Nelvana Enterprises: Peter Crighton, ex-Disney Consumer Products, named Director of Marketing; Kelly Elwood, ex-DHX Media, named Director of Retail; Tonya Lindo, ex-Mattel Canada, appointed Licensing Director for North America… Jonathan Bottomley, ex-Vice Media, named Chief Marketing Officer, Ralph Lauren.