License!Global’s Top Stories of 2013

Below are major stories that made headlines in the licensing community in 2013. To read the full list and details of the 13 biggest stories of 2013, click here.

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• DreamWorks made a string of important acquisitions (Trolls, AwesomenessTV).
• Disney unveils Disney Infinity, its new interactive gaming platform.
• Doctor Who celebrated its 50^th anniversary.
• Netflix became a content creator and was chosen by Marvel for its next superhero TV series.
• Activision’s Skylanders property wins Program of the Year.
• Mattel forms its own production company, Playground Productions, to create multi-platform content for its brands including Barbie, Max Steel and Hot Wheels.
• WME buys IMG, creating the world’s largest talent management company.
• Beanstalk launches a division dedicated solely to digital properties. 
• Saban merged its domestic and international licensing divisions.
• ABG made a number of acquisitions in 2013 including two Celebrity Brands, Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali.
• Sanrio’s collaboration with DC Comics transforms Hello Kitty a Super Hero.

DreamWorks partners with NYC & Company

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A yearlong collaboration between two MyMediabox clients, DreamWorks Classics and the NYC & Company tourism and marketing organization, will have Where’s Waldo? serving as New York City’s fifth official Family Ambassador. The Family Ambassador program was created to help position New York City as a safe, welcoming and family-friendly destination back in 2009. Previous Family Ambassadors include The Muppets, The Smurfs, Dora the Explorer and Sesame Street.

Waldo will encourage travel to NYC by highlighting attractions, hotels, landmarks, neighborhoods, cultural institutions, parks and more. NYC & Company will be able to use Waldo’s international and domestic recognition to reach people of all ages from around the world and encourage them to visit New York City.

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DreamWorks Buys Trolls Brand, Plans New Movie

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DreamWorks recently acquired the classic Troll brand, commonly known as Treasure Trolls or Good Luck Trolls, from Dam Things of Denmark. The Trolls, recognizable for their gemstone belly buttons and traditionally colorful hair, first became popular in the U.S. in the early 90's. However, their heritage dates back more than 50 years. Shawn Dennis, appointed Brand Manager for Trolls, acknowledges the potential for the brand, "Trolls is one of those rare, proven and universally adored brands... it is truly an amazing opportunity to be able to relaunch a brand like this one."

At the top of the list for reintroducing the brand to the U.S. market is a new troll movie. Alex Schwartz, Head of Development at DreamWorks Animation states, "We look forward to working alongside Dam Things to build on the mythology of the Good Luck Trolls, while delivering the sense of adventure, heart and comedy that DreamWorks Animation is known for."

Interested in learning how clients like DreamWorks Animation utilize MyMediabox to streamline their product approvals and style guide delivery? MyMediabox offers hosted solutions for product approvals (Mediabox-PA), style guide delivery (Mediabox-DAM) and deal memo management (Mediabox-DM). For more information visit www.mymediabox.com or email marketing@mymediabox.com.

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