‘Star Wars’ Sweeps Licensing Awards

Disney Consumer Products’ Star Wars continues to prove its constant appeal (and reinvigorated dominion over merch-hungry fans) having won four awards at Tuesday night’s 2016 LIMA International Licensing Awards. This year’s Retailer of the Year is Hot Topic, which won for its Doctor Who goodies. And for the first time, a European venue was tapped as the best Location-Based/Experiential Initiative Award: AMC and Parque de Atracciones de Madrid (Striker Entertainment) for its The Walking Dead walk-through.

Star Wars won the live-action entertainment licensed program, licensed promotion, toy and home decor prizes. Taking the best animation licensed program award was eOne’s Peppa Pig. Winners in 20 categories were announced during LIMA’s annual awards ceremony, part of the 2016 Licensing Expo in Las Vegas.

2016 International Licensing Awards winners:

LICENSED PROGRAM

Art/Design: The Very Hungry Caterpillar/The World of Eric Carle – owned by Eric Carle Studio, represented by Joester Loria Group

Celebrity/Fashion: cupcakes and cashmere – represented by Brand Central, LLC

Character/Toy Brand: Shopkins – owned by Moose Toys, represented by The Licensing Shop, Inc.

Corporate Brand: Girl Scouts of the USA – represented by The Wildflower Group

Digital: Candy Crush Saga – owned by King Digital Entertainment, represented by Striker Entertainment, LLC

Film/TV/Entertainment – Animated: Peppa Pig –Entertainment One

Film/TV/Entertainment – Live-Action: Star Wars: The Force Awakens –Disney Consumer Products & Interactive Media

Food & Beverage/Restaurant: Corona, Constellation Brands – represented by Joester Loria Group

Licensed Promotion: Star Wars: Force Friday/Unboxing Program – Disney Consumer Products & Interactive Media

Location-Based or Experiential Initiative: AMC and Parque de Atracciones de Madrid – AMC’s The Walking Dead, represented by Striker Entertainment

Retailer: Hot Topic – Doctor Who licensing program

Sports: NFLPA

LICENSED PRODUCT

Apparel/Footwear/Accessories: Peter Alexander for Sesame Street (sleepwear, outerwear and accessories)

Appliances/Automotive/Electronics/Hardware/Housewares/Paint: The Sherwin-Williams Company for HGTV HOME paint

Digital: Story Toys for The World of Eric Carle/The Very Hungry Caterpillar (apps)

Food/Beverage: The Republic of Tea for Downton Abbey

Health & Beauty Aids: Lovehoney for Motörhead Official Pleasure Collection

Home Decor: Pottery Barn for Star Wars Millennium Falcon Bed

Publishing/Social Expression/Back-to-School: Moleskine for Batman Limited Edition Collection

Toys/Games/Novelties/Role-Play: Sphero for Star Wars BB-8 app-enabled Droid

Star Wars: The Force Awakens