License! Global Issues 2010 Top 125 Global Licensors

NEW YORK, April 6 /PRNewswire/ -- License! Global, the premier publication for brand extensions and retail intelligence, and the official publication for Licensing International Expo, the World's Brand and Property Marketplace, today announced the Top 125 Global Licensors.  This exclusive list ranks and analyzes the world's largest brands and licensing companies by total revenue of licensed products at retail.

Disney Consumer Products once again topped the list with $27.2 billion in retail sales, driven by iconic franchises such as The Princess and the Frog, Snow White, Disney-Pixar properties, Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse and Friends, Hannah Montana, Jonas and Wizards of Waverly Place, to name a few.  Iconix Brand Group, which brands include Candie's, Op, Starter, Mossimo, Joe Boxer and others, ranked second  with roughly $9 billion in retail sales.  Phillips-Van Heusen weighed in third with $6.6 billion in sales, followed by Warner Bros. Consumer Products with $6 billion in retail sales and Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products rounded out the top five with $5.5 billion in retail sales.  The Top 125 Global Licensors account for nearly $165 billion in retail sales of licensed products representing 90 percent of the total licensing marketplace.  

"License! Global's Top 125 Global Licensors experienced an increase of more than 30 companies added to the report due to an extremely high level of available IP and brands that are offering retailers an extension of products that will help continue to drive traffic and differentiation," said Steven Ekstract, publisher, License! Global.  "The list shows the tremendous amount of revenue generated that licensing is one of the most powerful and profitable industries and will drive sales at retail."

The top licensors report began in 1998 with 50 companies, previously called "The Nifty Fifty."  It has been expanded and changed several times over the past decade reflecting the growth and popularity of licensed brands among retailers and consumers.  The brands range from well-know entertainment properties to apparel, sports and corporate brands.

"Despite a tough global economy, brand extensions have become an increasingly important business that offer consumers the opportunity for value, as well as hip and trendy product assortments," said Tony Lisanti, global editorial director, License! Global.  "Many businesses have expanded their revenue through licensed products and this year, several companies have been added to the report including Hasbro, Hilco Consumer Capital, PGA Tour, LEGO, Polaroid, The Sharper Image, Summit Entertainment, Church & Dwight, Sea World and Food Network, among many others."

The full License! Global's Top 125 Global Licensors list can be found at: http://www.licensemag.com/licensemag/data/articlestandard//licensemag/152010/664065/article.pdf  Many of these companies will be showcasing their brands during the Licensing International Expo, being held June 8 – 10, 2010 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

About Licensing International Expo

Celebrating its 30th year, Licensing International Expo is the most established licensing event in the world and has become a global marketplace for leveraging brand and property equity for new licensed consumer products. The show's appeal brings together top- level retail and manufacturing executives from more than 82 countries who look to Licensing International Expo to discover new brands and revenue generating opportunities within the $187.2 billion licensing industry. This year's show will have over 400 exhibitors, exciting keynotes and seminars. For up-to-date exhibitor listings, seminar scheduling, travel support and registration information, please visit www.licensingexpo.com.

Follow the 2010 Licensing International Expo on Twitter at twitter.com/licensingexpo and visit the Licensing International Expo Fan Page on Facebook (www.licensingexpo.com/facebook).

About License! Global

License! Global Magazine, published by Advanstar Communications, is the leading news source of the licensing industry delivering award-winning editorial content covering trends, analysis and special reports about the global brand licensing and retail marketplace. Through its print edition, website, and daily online E-newsletter, License! Global reaches a total monthly audience of almost 90,000. Founded in 1998, License! Global's circulation is audited and verified by an independent company, Business Press Audit (BPA). Its readership is comprised of the world's leading retailers, licensors, licensees, manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors.

About Advanstar Communication

Advanstar Communications Inc. (www.advanstar.com), producer of Licensing International Expo, Brand Licensing Europe, Brand Licensing Central & Eastern Europe and License! Global Magazine, is a leading worldwide media company providing integrated marketing solutions for the License, Fashion, Life Sciences and Powersports industries. Advanstar serves business professionals and consumers in these industries with its portfolio of 147 events, 68 publications and directories, 267 electronic products and Web sites, as well as educational and direct marketing products and services. Market leading brands and a commitment to delivering innovative, quality products and services enables Advanstar to "Connect Our Customers With Theirs." Advanstar has approximately 1,000 employees and currently operates from multiple offices in North America and Europe.

About LIMA

Founded in 1985, LIMA is the worldwide trade organization for the licensing industry. LIMA's main objective is to work together with licensors and licensees for the advancement of professionalism in licensing through research, national and international seminars, trade events and publications. With members in 35 countries, and offices in New York, London, Munich, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong, members enjoy access to a wide variety of activities, information and benefits. LIMA is a proud sponsor of the annual Licensing International Expo, Brand Licensing Europe, LiMa Licensing Market (Munich), Day of Licensing (Cologne), Licensing Asia (Tokyo), Shanghai Licensing Pavilion and the Hong Kong Licensing Show. In addition, LIMA offers ways to jump start a career in licensing through its Certificate in Licensing Studies (CLS) program, which is the only educational course specifically designed to prepare professionals to succeed in the ever-changing licensing industry, and the flip (Future LIMA Industry Professionals) program offering support and networking for industry newcomers. For more information please visit www.licensing.org.

SOURCE Licensing International Expo

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