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License Global magazine announces Top 150 Global Licensors of 2020

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License Global magazine, part of the Global Licensing Group, has announced the Top 150 Global Licensors of 2020.

Global Licensing Group and License Global magazine are pleased to announce the release of the annual Top 150 Global Licensors report, tracking the retail sales of licensed consumer merchandise in 2019. The report compiles and compares the prior-year sales of licensed merchandise from the world’s leading brands, over all consumer product segments.

The Walt Disney Company takes the top spot once again, while key new additions include Funimation, WHP Global, SEGA of America, Pinkfong, Toho, and more. Lego, Moomin, Aardman, BBC Studios, Carte Blanche, Acamar and Santoro are among the 20 European licensors who have made it onto this year’s list.

Disney tops list of Global Licensors

Amanda Cioletti, Content Director at License Global says: “Prior to the global disruption surrounding the pandemic, the licensing landscape was in midst of transformation with several major mergers and acquisitions reshaping the business, such as the CBS and Viacom’s landmark deal and Disney’s acquisition of 21 st Century Fox, which shifted the trajectory of these media giants and significantly impacted the biggest category for licensed consumer goods across product programs.”

“We are at a turning point for the licensing industry – one that affords it an opportunity to shift strategies and creatively rebound. It’s a trend we’re seeing in this year’s report as leading brands showcase ingenuity in how they reach the ever-evolving consumer in a deeper and more meaningful way, and one we expect to continue as the landscape shifts even further in 2020.”

The Walt Disney Company leads the pack, reporting $54.7 billion in annual retail sales of licensed consumer products during the previous year, which is flat against 2018’s sales.

This is partly thanks to its  $71.3 billion acquisition of 21st Century Fox. The company has now effectively gained ownership of former Fox television networks as well as properties like Deadpool and Fox-owned Marvel characters. Last year also saw the successful launch of the Disney+ streaming service.

Other companies that have had a successful year include Authentic Brands Group which reports $12.3 billion in licensed retail sales for last year, moving up to from fifth to third place on the list. In addition, The Pokémon Company International moved from 23rd place to 11th, after seeing $4.2 billion in sales of licensed merchandise in 2019.

New additions to 2020 report

Several companies appeared on the list for the first time this year, including Acamar Films, Funimation, SEGA of America, Sharper Image, Toho, Pinkfong and WHP Global. The top ten is as follows:

  1. The Walt Disney Company – $54.7B
  2.  Meredith Corporation – $26.5B
  3. Authentic Brands Group – $12.3B
  4. WarnerMedia – $11B
  5. PVH Corp. – $10.6B (estimated)
  6. Universal Brand Development – $7.1B
  7. Hasbro – $6.9B
  8. ViacomCBS – $5.8B
  9. General Motors – $4.62B (estimated)
  10. Sanrio – $4.4B (estimated)

To read the full list, click here.

License Global also runs a podcast series called The Licensing Mixtape, exploring how to use brand licensing to tap into the industry’s growth.

Global Licensing Group recently announced a four-week digital Festival of Licensing, which will run from 6 – 29 October 2020 in partnership with industry trade association Licensing International. This virtual event will bring together licensing sector professionals from across the globe.

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charlotte coates

Charlotte Coates

Charlotte Coates is blooloop's editor. She is from Brighton, UK and previously worked as a librarian. She has a strong interest in arts, culture and information and graduated from the University of Sussex with a degree in English Literature. Charlotte can usually be found either with her head in a book or planning her next travel adventure.

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