NEWS
BUZZFEED ANNOUNCE NEW CANNABIS PRODUCT LINE WITH NUG BuzzFeed has announced its first-ever cannabis product is launching through a licensing partnership with NUG. BuzzFeed is the first publisher to enter the cannabis market directly, and together with NUG they will launch 3 different NUG x Goodful co-branded flower prepacks which will be available at select NUG retailers in California this summer. BuzzFeed’s licensing business is a modern take on a historically traditional business, which extends their hit viral content into real life products for their audience, giving them new ways to engage with the iconic Buzzfeed brands. From the award-winning Tasty kitchenware line at Walmart to BuzzFeed & Bellesa branded sex toys, Buzzfeed is pioneering the way for media companies to license their brand while also driving innovation in consumer products. NUG, Inc. is a premier, state-licensed, and vertically integrated California cannabis company and brand. Founded in 2014, NUG controls all aspects of the cannabis product life cycle - cultivation, extraction (THC & CBD), manufacturing, distribution and retail. The seed-to-sale approach allows NUG to create a wide variety of quality products and manage the environment in which they are sold, bringing more value to the cannabis customer.
F1 ESPORTS TOURNAMENT For the first time, fans will be able to compete in an F1® Esports tournament from August in partnership with Firemonkeys Studio, an Australian-based creative arm of Electronic Arts (EA). Players of Real Racing 3 will get the chance to win exclusive prizes in the latest update, including tickets to the Grand Prix. “Formula 1 is the biggest motorsport in the world, and we are excited to continue to bring not only the most authentic Formula 1 content on mobile to Real Racing 3, but also the worldfirst F1 RR3 Esports Global Challenge to our players and fans,” said Joe Donoghue, General Manager of Firemonkeys Studio. Ellie Norman, Director of Marketing and Communications at Formula 1, continued: “We’re very excited to be bringing F1 Esports to Real Racing 3, as we continue to build our presence within the mobile gaming landscape. We hope the competition will see more people than ever before engage with F1 Esports on mobile as they battle it out for fantastic prizes.”
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LOUNGEFLY ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL Loungefly, the fan-forward lifestyle brand from Funko, Inc. has announced its latest partnership with Major League Baseball (MLB), featuring a signature line for the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. Available to fans from mid August via Loungefly.com, the highly-anticipated accessories collection will feature mini backpacks, crossbody bags and wallets. Made with Loungefly’s high-quality and durable vegan leather (PU), the collection include appliques, debossed team logos, a custom team lining and signature Loungefly x MLB logo metal plaque on each item. The Loungefly brand intricately designs backpacks, wallets, totes and crossbody bags to apparel, collectible enamel pins and other small accessories to tell wearable stories inspired by the most beloved properties in the world. Crafted with care and precision - leaving no detail overlooked - fans find value in every stitch as bag zippers to printed linings showcase their authentic passion for the fandom that they proudly wear. Since becoming part of the Funko family in 2017, Loungefly has also expanded with Stitch Shoppe, the brand’s first high-end apparel line that launched in 2020 to promote body positivity, and Loungefly Apparel, a casual apparel line for fans, in May 2021.
EPIC GAMES PARTNER WITH FERRARI Epic Games is partnering with Ferrari to bring one of the carmaker’s legendary sports cars to Fortnite, the two companies announced recently. Fortnite is already well-known for its celebrity and brand collaborations, but the Ferrari coming to the game, the 296 GTB hybrid sports car, is the first licensed car to appear in the hugely popular battle royale shooter.
TOTAL BRAND LICENSING