JLG’s Top Stories of 2021

We’re continuing our countdown of our most read stories of 2021 this week. Here is a look at our top stories of the year featuring exciting collaborations, brand licensing deals and new client announcements. 

5. In June JLG helped Corona team up with premium skate brand Primitive. The collaboration included t-shirts, long sleeved shirts, hoodies, board shorts, wovens, skate decks and skate accessories. The line launched on June 4th at specialty retailers including Zumiez as well as on Primitiveskate.com.

4. In April, JLG client McDonald’s celebrated its partnership with the All American Games, an all-star event for high school basketball players, with a collaboration with adidas. 

To help celebrate this prestigious sporting event, McDonald’s, adidas, and New York based athletic designer Eric Emanuel partnered for an All American Games collaboration. The centerpiece of the capsule was an updated version of adidas’ Forum Hi sneakers, featuring a color scheme inspired by McDonald’s signature yellow and red color palette with navy blue accents throughout. Additionally, the three brands hosted a pop up store in SoHo in New York City to launch the partnership. 

3. In August, The World of Eric Carle partnered with Kiddy Art Museum to launch the "The Playful World of Eric Carle" themed pop-up mall event at The Bund Finance Center, in Shanghai, China. The event kicked off August 1st and ran through October 8th. The event brought some of Carle’s iconic books and characters to life through an immersive experience. The brand licensing campaign for The World of Eric Carle is managed in China by licensing company Guangzhou Art-land Holding Company, Ltd. through the worldwide agent, The Joester Loria Group. 

2. In February, The Joester Loria Group announced its representation of Ferrara Candy Company, the leading sweet snacking company and owner of more than 34 iconic brands including NERDS®, SweeTARTS®, Trolli® and Laffy Taffy®. JLG is focused on brand licensing opportunities in the lifestyle category including apparel, accessories, bath and beauty, home and gift as well as extending the unique flavors to new food formats including frozen novelties, beverages, baking, and desserts.

1. In April, we shared the news that Pacifico Beer and Lakai were teaming up to deliver the beer brand’s first footwear and apparel collaboration in a brand licensing deal brokered by The Joester Loria Group. The collection showcased both brands’ equity in action sports and leaned into Pacifico’s Baja California roots. The collaboration dropped in early August at specialty retailers and Lakai.com. 

JLG’s Top Stories of 2021

With 2021 coming to an end, we’re taking a look back at our most read stories of the year. Here is the first part of our 2021 year in review. 

10. In October, we shared the news that The Joester Loria Group had been tapped by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. to develop licensed product extensions for their iconic Toyota and Lexus brands. Through merchandising and collaborations, JLG is activating programs that engage with Toyota and Lexus owners as well as consumers looking for innovative quality products which are hallmarks of both brands.

9. In August, Obvi, one of today's fastest growing global supplement brands, teamed up with Entenmann's®, a quintessential brand in baked goods, to bring consumers a collagen-boosting solution inspired by a classic treat in a brand licensing deal brokered by The Joester Loria Group. Obvi launched a collaborative flavor of their cult-favorite collagen protein powder – Entenmann's x Obvi Super Collagen Protein Powder | Chocolate Chip Cookie. 

8. In September, to complement MTN DEW’s new Flamin’ Hot flavor, The Joester Loria Group brokered a brand licensing deal between MTN DEW and Broken Promises, a contemporary clothing brand, to partner on an apparel line inspired by the spicy new collaboration.  The limited-edition capsule collection included shirts, hoodies, sweatpants, and accessories emblazoned with Flamin’ Hot graphics and design cues.

7. In March, we announced that by popular demand, The Joester Loria Group brokered a brand licensing deal with Galarie to revive Kellogg’s fan-favorite cereal straws. The return was prompted by pleas from fans on social media as well as a Change.org petition with more than 80,000 signatures to bring back the iconic cereal straws.  After a 12-year hiatus, the nostalgia-inducing Kellogg’s Cereal Straws are available in two flavors: Kellogg’s Froot Loops and Kellogg’s Cocoa Krispies. 

6. In May, JLG expanded the brand licensing program for two of Frito-Lay’s top snack brands, Cheetos and Doritos, with the addition of two new apparel licensees. The brands partnered with Isaac Morris Ltd. for a fashion-forward collection of young men’s and juniors’ clothing, while Trau & Loevner  signed on to create a range of young men’s and juniors’ tees and fleece tops available exclusively on Tee-Luv.com and Amazon. 

The World of Eric Carle Launches Dedicated World of Eric Carle Play Park in Japan

The World of Eric Carle has partnered with A&B Holdings to launch “Play Park Eric Carle" in Japan, the first dedicated indoor play space for children based on the World of Eric Carle. The play park is located in Futako-Tamagawa Rise Shopping Center in Tokyo and includes nine interactive zones including an indoor maze, art studio, playground, baby zone, complimentary beverage station, reading/relaxation zone and shop. The brand licensing campaign for The World of Eric Carle is managed in Japan by licensing company Cosmo Merchandising Co. through the brand’s worldwide agent, The Joester Loria Group.

The immersive experience takes both children and adults on a journey through key World of Eric Carle themes including creativity, discovery, play, and nature. To coincide with the launch of Play Parc Eric Carle, the brand partnered with the mall complex to launch a World of Eric Carle Holiday/Winter themed promotion that includes a tree lighting event, light installations, an ice skating park and themed foods.

The World of Eric Carle is the award-winning publishing franchise that features timeless stories and iconic characters. With 151 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, which has been translated into 60 languages, has sold over 50 million copies since its publication in 1969.