Who Can Tell Client Spotlight

10530_BLDQ_News_Sum08_v4.qxp:newsletter 5/8/08 4:22 PM Page 2 WHO CAN TELL We live in a strange world. This licensing How many Converses’ are there or Jeep’s or environment seems to get wackier every day. Cokes or Bubblicious? Brands have a singular Most licensors like call their programs “brands”, equity that they themselves use or overuse in but hardly treat them as such. Add to that, the their efforts to segment and extend, but from way we get so caught up in every tiny nuance a licensee’s perspective, no one is kidding you of a particular property so as to be able to break with a “Junior” version, or an “Toddler graphic” them apart into market segments – To make that end up in a competitors line and forces a JUNE 2008 • my point here is a pop quiz: buyer to make a choice that they shouldn’t have to make. How many Strawberry Shortcakes are there? Not dolls, but simply how many Strawberry How many Speed Racer versions does a Shortcake “brands” are there? _____. How retailer need to feel covered? Will an apparel VOLUME 20 Many Dragonball Z’s are there? _____. buyer really know or care about the difference between Classic, Movie or Animated How many Transformers?____ – Bratz? ____ – Transformers? Seriously. Give me a Break – Speed Racers? ____ Batman’s? ____ Superman’s? Now was that the animated Ed Grimley or the ____ Spiderman’s? _____ …. You get my point. Saturday Night Live Ed Grimley? Outside of a few product managers there is Licensees have it tough out here in the real no real way for consumers to tell the difference world, and cannibalistic licensors who crave a either, and buyers really don’t care. Buyers may new deal more than the support of an existing want the movie version of Speed Racer this May, licensee makes our business ever harder than it but not at a buck more a dozen! Licensors who already is. I know it is not a one way street, but split their programs may make more money in get a grip, do your homework – and pick “good” the macro sense; but over time erode the equity licensees in the first place, not the kind who are of the program and the support of their licensee into hit and run programs or are trying to slice off “partners.” a piece. I may be wrong, but to my knowledge there Now back to reality, do I want a real Oreo is only one Spongebob – a fact that has kept or a Double Stuff Oreo, mmmmm that new it alive and well way beyond anyone’s most Vanilla one looks good too? optimistic expectation. … Sesame Street, only one. Star Wars, only one. Buckaroo Banzai, only See you on the floor at Javits! one. (Just to see if you are paying attention!) CLIENT SPOTLIGHT: MTC MARKETING A new player in the licensed outerwear category, signed on for 2008 introduction are - McDonald’s, MTC marketing is looking to make a splash at retail Strawberry Shortcake, Pink Panther, and candy with a wide ranging licensed product portfolio. brands that include Sour Patch, and Bubblicious. Deep in the heart of Texas, MTC Marketing got its The company strives to build a varied portfolio of start as a distributor and manufacturer for other licenses for all demographics for 2009 and beyond. product lines primarily in the men’s specialty busi- Look for licensed products to begin shipping later ness. After studying the market conditions, MTC this year. Things are sure to heat up for this new decided that with their design, production, and player in the licensed apparel arena - MTC broader distribution strengths, that they should be Marketing. manufacturing and distributing product for themselves instead of for other companies. In 2008, MTC will roll out their licensed line led by Classic Speed Racer. “We are excited about having Speed Racer anchor our 2008 licensed product line. Our product line consists of jackets and hoodies that fit nicely within the street wear and outwear markets.” MTC caters to all demographics – toddler, youth, tween, juniors and young men. Also 10530_BLDQ_News_Sum08_v4.qxp:newsletter 5/8/08 4:22 PM Page 3 NEWS AND NOTES Moral of the Story..... LICENSING SHOW Come visit our new booth (Number 1820) as A wealthy old gentleman decides to go on a hunting safari in the Licensing Show celebrates the last show in New Africa, taking his faithful, elderly Jack Russell named Killer, along York City. Our new location is in the front of the show for the company. floor – Come see licensed products from all of our clients! One day the old Jack Russell starts chasing rabbits and before long, discovers that he’s lost. Wandering about, he notices a leopard ONE FINAL RUN Join Woody and friends for one last run through heading rapidly in his direction with the intention of having lunch. Central Park as the Building Q Annual “Fun Run” says goodbye to NYC. This year’s annual Fun Run will be The old Jack Russell thinks, “Oh, oh! I’m in deep doo-doo now!” on Thursday June 12 at 6:30 AM at Columbus Circle. Noticing some bones on the ground close by, he immediately settles Come out for one last dash through Central Park. down to chew on the bones with his back to the approaching cat. Just as the leopard is about to leap, the old Jack Russell exclaims loudly, ON THE SPEAKERS’ CIRCUIT Over the course of the recent past, Woody has fulfilled “boy, that one delicious leopard! I wonder if there are any more around various requests as a speaker/presenter regarding a here?” variety of issues in our industry. Hearing this, the young leopard halts his attack in mid-strike, a For the past 3 years, Woody has serves as an “instructor” look of terror comes over him and he slinks away into the trees. for LIMA’s Certificate of Licensing Studies program by “Whew!” says the leopard, ”That was close! That old Jack Russell teaching the ‘Evaluating Licensed Properties’ segment. This is done online, and is a required core class to nearly had me!” complete the program. The on line teaching experience is unique - “There is no visual feedback,” says Woody, “It Meanwhile, a monkey who had been watching the whole scene is hard to tell when you are boring the class, so you just from a nearby tree, figures he can put this knowledge to good use and have to assume the whole thing is boring.” trade it for protection from the leopard. So off he goes, but the old Jack Russell sees him heading after the leopard with great Additionally, recently, Woody served as a co-moderator on a panel called “The Top 10 Issues Facing Licensees speed, and figures that something must be up. and Licensors.” Woody and Steve Herman from Archie Comics outlined potential pitfalls, stumbling blocks and The monkey soon catches up with the leopard, spills the beans solutions for both licensee and licensor. Even though it and strikes a deal for himself with the leopard. was an on line “webinar” Woody and Steve got together in the same office –“It was a LOT easier doing the The young leopard is furious at being made a fool of and says, webinar as a team – at least we could laugh at each “Here, monkey, hop on my back and see what’s going to happen other!” said Steve. to that conniving canine!” At this years’ Licensing Show, Woody will preside over the popular Introduction To Licensing for the True Novice - Now, the old Jack Russell sees the leopard coming with the monkey on part of the Licensing University Seminar series. This is a his back and thinks, “What am I going to do now?” but instead of run- pre 101 course intended to cover the most basic ning, the dog sits down with his back to his attackers, pretending he licensing concepts for those who are “truly” new to the hasn’t seen them yet, and just when they get close enough to hear, the business. old Jack Russell says…… Woody the “grey beard” has also been invited by licensors to speak with their “young” staff about the “Where’s that damn monkey? history of the licensing business, and the evolution of I send him off an hour ago to industry, and to serve as a resource for them. Woody bring me another leopard!” gives a unique perspective of the industry. “The younger AE’s really appreciate it, and developing their own MORAL OF THIS STORY…… historic resources can only help their career.” Don’t mess with old dogs… UPCOMING TRADE SHOW SCHEDULE • BOOK EXPO AMERICA LA May 29–June 1 age and skill will always overcome • LICENSING SHOW New York City June 10-12 youth and treachery! BS and brilliance • COMIC CON San Diego July 24-27 • INTERNATIONAL GIFT FAIR New York August 16-21 only come with age and experience. • MAGIC Las Vegas August 25-27 • FALL TOY FAIR Dallas October 14-17 10530_BLDQ_News_Sum08_v4.qxp:newsletter 5/8/08 4:22 PM Page 4 Contact Information WOODY BROWNE GARY SCHNEIDER PATRICE PAGLIA 709 Stokes Road, Suite 200 Medford, NJ 08055 www.BuildingQ.com CLIENT DISTRIBUTION CORE PRODUCT LINE CURRENT LICENSES INCLUDE… ( LISTED ALPHABETICALLY ) APPARELAPPAREL & ACCESSORIES & ACCESSORIES BCI Mass, Drug, Grocery, Sunglasses, Reading Glasses, Crayola, Hawaiian Tropic, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Convenience Stores Computer Eyewear MTC MARKETING, Inc. Mid-Tier, Specialty, Jackets, Hoodies, Flip Flops, Headwear Strawberry Shortcake, Classic Speed Racer, Next Generation Speed Racer, Lil Bratz, Department Stores, Hooters Racing, McDonalds Racing, Bullseye Tattoo Travel Centers COLLECTIBLES COMIC IMAGES Mass, Specialty, Trend, Hobby Deluxe Plush - Super Deformed Plush, Clone Wars, Marvel, Stargate, Star Wars Plush Backpacks, Golf Club Covers, Slippers, Collectible Card Games, PRODUCTWORKS, LLC.

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