Entertainment Tie-ins / Licensing

Target has quietly announced its next Lilly Pulitzer: a collaboration with another U.S. designer who will create a collection of new apparel, accessories, pet goods and home furnishings for the retailer.

Target announced on its Bullseye blog this week that it has chosen Adam Lippes to create more than 50 items inspired by buffalo plaid for the Adam Lippes for Target.

Retailers planning their assortments for the holidays should get excited about a slew of new and innovative toy offerings from Disney.

Disney Consumer Products says it is joining together connected toys and wearable technology to put kids at the center of the world’s greatest stories from Disney, Marvel and Star Wars. A new system of toys and wearables from Disney will use smart technology to inspire kids to run around and use their imaginations, as they become the hero or heroine of stories from across the Walt Disney Company.

Williams-Sonoma is rolling out a fast, easy and secure way to pay online that brings a whole new meaning to instant gratification.

The retailer is teaming up with Visa to launch a marketing campaign and four-part video series called “Time to Savor Summer.”  The video series, launched in support of the availability of Visa Checkout on the Williams-Sonoma e-commerce site, will be “shoppable” due to YouTube’s new shoppable video technology.

Kohl’s is stepping up again to make summer activities free for families this summer through a partnership with Summerfest.

The partnership will offer educational, fun and creative activities for children of all ages and their families, as well as the opportunity for patrons to gain free admission to the Summerfest festival.

San Francisco – Summertime, and the living (and shopping) is easy. Williams-Sonoma Inc. is adhering to this summer ethic by partnering with Visa to launch a co-marketing campaign and four-part video series called “Time to Savor Summer.”  The video series, launched in support of the availability of the Visa Checkout online checkout service on the Williams-Sonoma e-commerce site, will be “shoppable” due to YouTube’s new shoppable video technology.

Xcel Brands Inc. has appointed a veteran marketing executive of Target to the Xcel board of directors.

"We are thrilled to have Michael Francis join our board of directors," said Robert D'Loren, chairman and CEO of Xcel Brands Inc. "Michael brings incredible marketing, leadership, innovation, and extensive branding experience to our Board and Xcel, and we look forward to working with him in this new capacity." 

Saks Fifth Avenue will be soaring to new heights with an unprecedented promotional event at its flagship store in New York City this month.

Sixteen dancers from the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School in Florida will be performing live in the windows of the store on Fifth Avenue on June 6 and June 7.

Kohl’s is backing up its commitment to families by sponsoring a museum promotion called Thank You Thursday in Milwaukee.

The retailer will be offering free general admission to the Museum Public Museum on the first Thursday of every month. Kohl’s Thank You Thursday marks the first time ever free general admission has been regularly provided to the public and will kick off on June 4.