JLG’s Top Five Stories of 2020

JLG’s top stories of the year included new clients as well as exciting new brand extensions for longtime clients.

In February 2020, Kellogg’s partnered with Just Born for Froot Loops flavored peeps pops. The brightly colored, fruity treats were available exclusively at Walmart and Target.
In early 2020, McDonald’s appointed JLG as its global brand licensing agency and throughout the year, the brand launched a variety of brand extensions including an exciting collaboration with Adidas. McDonald’s and Adidas tapped NBA players James Harden and Tracy McGrady for its “Sauce Pack” collaboration, a collection of sneakers and graphic tees inspired by one of McDonald’s go-to menu items, its sauces.
Modelo’s brand licensing program continued to grow in 2020, with another successful collaboration with Diamond Supply Co. Additionally, Modelo’s licensed product collections expanded their distribution with retail partners including Lucky Brand, Spencer’s and Urban Outfitters.
In August, McDonald’s iconic mascots got the Funko treatment with the launch of their very own Funko Pop! Ad Icons figures. The collaboration was available from the McDonald’s online store, Golden Arches Unltd, as well as retailers including Amazon, GameStop and Entertainment Earth. The launch generated a lot of excitement with the five-pack initially selling out.
In February, several JLG clients including Miffy, The World of Eric Carle and 44 Cats all had a presence at Toy Fair New York. Miffy’s brand licensing partners showcased a new plush collection, while a variety of World of Eric Carle licensees highlighted educational toys and games. 44 Cats’ partners showed figurines, playsets, plush and snacks.

Frito Lay Partners With Mad Engine For Apparel, Bags and Fashion Accessories

In a new brand licensing partnership, Mad Engine LLC will collaborate with Frito-Lay, Inc. to create a new lifestyle range of apparel, bags, and fashion accessories for North America. The licensing deal was brokered by The Joester Loria Group.

The partnership comes on the heels of strong retail results for food and pop-culture based

properties across a variety of consumer goods categories. New collections of Cheetos and

Doritos branded fashion apparel, statement pieces, and must-have accessories will launch this holiday season at select specialty accounts. Programs for Ruffles, Lay's, and Funyuns will launch in early Spring '21.

“Mad Engine cannot emphasize enough how excited it is to partner with Frito-Lay, one of the world’s most well-known food brands,” said Dean Allen, Mad Engine’s Chief Merchant.

“Frito-Lay creates snack products, which resonate with a large, diverse customer base who love the brand’s product offerings. Mad Engine is confident it can leverage the Frito-Lay brand equity to create Frito-Lay inspired apparel and accessory products that will meet the high expectations of their consumers, ” added Allen.

The World of Eric Teams Up with Two New Licensees for Sleepwear and T-Shirts

The Joester Loria Group, exclusive global brand licensing agent for The World of Eric Carle, has brokered two new deals for their client to expand on their current program with new infant and toddler sleepwear and adult t-shirts.

First, Ripple Junction, a leader in the licensed apparel product space, has added The World of Eric Carle for young men’s and juniors shirts. A multi-sku program launched earlier this year at Urban Outfitters online and in select stores, with a crewneck sweatshirt and a long sleeve tee which became a top seller! Most recently, Ripple Junction introduced additional tees at Urban Outfitters and Pac Sun.

Meanwhile, Rashti & Rashti has partnered to bring the brand into a range of infant and toddler sleepwear, with sizes ranging from 12M to 5T. The collection will feature Carle’s iconic The Very Hungry Caterpillar and other popular characters and unmistakable graphics from his beloved books in multiple styles and will launch mid- 2021.

License Global also shared the news of these two new brand licensing deals.

The World of Eric Carle is the award-winning publishing franchise that features timeless stories and iconic characters. With 169 million books sold, the brand has been a staple in schools, libraries, and homes around the world for over three generations. The global consumer products program has experienced exceptional growth in over 45,000 doors in better retail channels in 15+ countries.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar, one of the top selling children’s books of all time, has been translated into 60 languages and has sold over 54 million copies since its publication in 1969.