Entertainment Tie-ins / Licensing

Macerich’s tech-driven, HGTV-sponsored Santa Claus experience will be expanded to five properties in California, Chicago, and metro New York this Christmas season.   Kids can download an Elf-Ray Vision app to their smartphones—or used a provided tablet — to explore “Santa HQ” in 3D, take an Elfie Selfie to insert themselves in a customized holiday video, or test their gift-worthiness on the Naughty or Nice O’Meter. A 10,000-bulb synchronized light show at the attraction plays the Carol of the Bells.

Taubman is taking the Santa experience to a higher level — literally — at 12 malls this holiday season.   On Nov. 11, the mall owner and manager will debut “Santa’s Flight Academy,” where kids will be able to register as members of the jolly old elf’s flight crew, help Sleigh Mechanic George or Reindeer Caretaker Flash prepare for liftoff and engage in what Taubman is describing as an “immersive holiday experience.”  

Value and promotions will take center stage in Target Corp.’s holiday plans, along with a televised “musical” starring a 10-time Grammy-winning recording artist.   In addition to new and exclusive merchandise in every product category, Target is offering an array of holiday deals, including the return — and extension by one week — of free shipping for all online orders from Oct. 25 through Jan. 1, 2017.    

The fast-growing beauty category represented 17% of QVC’s global sales in 2015, but the retailer wants more.    To grab a bigger share of the category, the digital retailer will launch the Beauty iQ network, a multi-platform beauty shopping experience designed to engage beauty lovers. The program, which is set to launch on Oct. 31, will be viewable in over 40 million homes in the U.S. via distributors, including DirecTV, U-verse, Dish and Roku.   

Round One, Japan’s answer to Dave & Busters, announced it will open its first New York State location at the Galleria at Crystal Run in Middletown.    The entertainment brand offers bowling, karaoke, billiards, and darts, as well as food. Other new locations in Colorado, Georgia, and Pennsylvania will bring its U.S. store total to 14. Round One spaces are generally 80,000 sq. ft.; the Middletown store will be only 45,000 sq. ft.  

Who hasn’t wanted to buy “looks” featured on their favorite television show? Now, it’s a reality.   A new TV talk show series, created through a partnership between Wayfair and A+E Networks, will allow viewers to purchase all featured items on Wayfair.com.   The show, called The Way Home, uses a combination of home décor and DIY how-to’s, room makeovers and everyday solutions for better living — and everything displayed is for sale.  

Target Corp. is letting the cat out of the bag early with regards to its next limited edition apparel collection.   The retailer announced its limited-edition spring collaboration will be with popular designer Victoria Beckham. The collection will be available April 9, 2017, at all Target stores and Target.com, the collection. In addition, select pieces from the collection will be available for sale internationally via Victoriabeckham.com.  

Driving your car on the beach and the Daytona International Speedway. Those are the things that have long defined Daytona Beach. Those and the legendary Bill France, Sr.   

The North Face is trying on a new store format.   The retailer has opened a pop-up in San Francisco aimed at the city explorer.   The temporary store, in the city’s Jackson Square neighborhood, will focus exclusively on the brand’s premium streetwear merchandise. (A similar space will be featured in the retailer’s new flagship, scheduled to open on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue in late October.)  

Founded by Don and Barbara Brinkerhoff nearly a half century ago, Lifescapes International made its bones as an architectural landscaping firm on the Vegas Strip, where it created the fire show at The Mirage and the water show at the Bellagio. What the founding couple learned in Vegas, their daughter, Julie Brinkerhoff-Jacobs, now applies to retail and lifestyle centers like Triple Five’s American Dream and Rockefeller Center’s Channel Gardens.