JLG President Debra Joester Featured in License Global’s December Issue

A big “thank you”  to License Global for the in-depth profile of JLG President Debra Joester and her career in the licensing industry. The story featured in the December 2020 issue traced Joester’s career in licensing, which began in the music industry. She formally entered the industry during her time at Hamilton Projects, where she became President in 2000, and built the brand licensing success for brands including Jeep, “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “South Park,” Mikhail Baryshnikov, Campbell’s Soup, Hershey’s and Harley-Davidson, among others. 

In 1999, along with co-founder Joanne Loria, Joester founded The Joester Loria Group, where they have built a global reputation by delivering brand extension success and award winning programs for Care Bears, Jeep, Kellogg’s, Mountain Dew, Pepsi, The World of Eric Carle, Corona, Modelo, McDonald’s, Cheetos, Doritos, WeWearCute and more. 

The full story is available from License Global.

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. 

1. 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. 

2. 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. 

3. 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. 

4. 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.  

5. 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.