The Biggest Names in Licensed Merchandise

As any clothing or fashion accessory retailer will tell you licensed merchandise is a must any children’s apparel or novelty business. For better or worse, we live in a pop culture driven society. Television, advertising, and the movies have as much impact on our manner of dress, the way we talk, and the values we communicate to others than does religion and politics combined.

Here are some of the most popular licensed brand names and brief descriptions of what has made them must haves for any clothing or related merchandise retailers. If you’re hoping to sell children’s apparel these are some names to seriously consider.

Disney- Founded in 1923 by brothers Walt and Roy Disney as a small animation studio Disney has become the biggest hitter ever in children’s entertainment. Mickey Mouse may be the most recognizable cartoon character in history. Disney owns nine amusement parks and several television networks, including ABC and ESPN. The company is masterful at promoting its licensed characters and has even managed to redefine traditional fairy tale characters such as Cinderella as subsidiaries of the company.

Marvel Comics- Along with DC Comics, one of the two giants of the comic book world. Marvel is responsible for many of the best known super hero characters, including Spiderman, the Incredible Hulk, the X-men, and countless others. After years of success Marvel fell on hard times and nearly collapsed but recently, driven by the success of a string of major motion pictures, they have regained their footing and financial clout.

Barbie- Toy giant Mattel is responsible for many incredibly successful toy lines but none nearly so popular as the blonde icon of girlhood Barbie. She’s had countless jobs and appeared on every type of apparel, fashion accessory, and just about any other item with room to print her likeness. Since her first appearance in the 1950s Barbie has been the queen of the toy world and she’s not just for little girls many grown women have extensive collections of all things Barbie.

Hello Kitty- A creation of the Japanese company Sanrio, and has long been the most popular one out of the company’s characters. The character is a large headed, anthropomorphized white cat, with a distinctive bow or similar decoration affixed to her left ear. Hello Kitty was first introduced in 1976 and is now a globally known trademark. She appears on countless backpack, pens, clothing, and just about any items marketable to kids and young adults.

Harry Potter- It is a rare thing when a book causes the level popular culture excitement inspired by the series of children’s books by J.K. Rawling. The one time impoverished single mother has created a licensing monster. Harry Potter appears on shirts, school supplies, and even has a line a eyeglasses that match those worn by the series’ hero.

Precious Moments- Back in the 1970s illustrator Sam Butcher invented a line of porcelain figures that featured unbearably cute children in a variety of adorable poses. They are often accompanied by humorous or religious messages. Countless thousands collect the figures and purchase the apparel and other merchandise bearing the easily recognizable figures.

Looney Tunes- Very little introduction is needed for Warner Brother’s famous cartoon characters. After more than 80 years Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck are as popular with youngsters as they ever were. Warner has carefully kept their icons fresh and redefine them occasionally in order to have new images to reproduce. The beloved characters are the corner stone of the highly successful chain of Warner Brother Stores.

Spongebob Squarepants- I’m trying to picture the meeting were the creators of Spongbob convinced the executives at the Nickelodeon TV network that the biggest thing to ever hit their programming would be a cartoon about a sponge and his starfish pal. Unlikeliness aside, Spongebob is among the most popular cable television shows around. Millions of dollars are spent each year on Spongebob shaped pillows, t-shirts with his image, and pajamas.