Hollywood
JAKKS bags licensing rights of ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’
MUMBAI: US toymaker JAKKS Pacific, Inc. has inked a licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to manufacture, distribute and market a line of toys and products based on Warner Bros. Pictures’ and RatPac Dune Entertainment’s feature film, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
The movie, which is scheduled to hit theaters on 25 March, 2016, pairs the two Super Heroes for the first time on the big screen and is directed by Zack Snyder. It stars Ben Affleck as Batman and Henry Cavill as Superman.
The agreement, which covers the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice film, also includes a domestic and international renewal for the full DC Comics franchise. The multi-category license includes large-scale action figures and vehicles, accessories, games, wagons and more. JAKKS plans to launch its Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice product line in Spring 2016 to coincide with the film’s worldwide theatrical release. New DC Comics product lines will also be available at retailers in Fall 2015.
“We could not be more excited to be part of the eagerly awaited Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice franchise and welcome the opportunity to bring to life two of the most epic Super Heroes of all time. We look forward to continuing our legacy of creating innovative and character-specific toys for the DC Comics line, especially in our highly detailed and collectible Big Figures line,” said JAKKS Pacific executive vice president of marketing John Blaney.
“JAKKS consistently brings a larger than life statement to the toy aisle and we look forward to expanding our existing DC Comics offerings and building upon this partnership by bringing the epic Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice to life with an all-new Big Figures line,” added Warner Bros. Consumer Products executive vice president Karen McTier.
Hollywood
Disney sells out ad slots for 98th Oscars broadcast
Strong demand for live events turns the Academy Awards into a global, multi-platform marketing moment
NEW YORK: Hollywood’s biggest night has also become one of advertising’s hottest tickets. Disney has sold out all advertising inventory for the 98th Oscars, underscoring the growing demand from brands eager to ride the cultural wave of major live events.
The sell-out marks the sixth consecutive live tentpole success for Disney Advertising. The streak includes last year’s 97th Oscars, the 59th Annual CMA Awards, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, signalling strong appetite among marketers for moments that bring audiences together in real time.
For advertisers, the Oscars are no longer just a single night of glitz and gold statues. Disney’s “Content Everywhere” strategy has expanded the awards show into a sprawling, multi-platform brand playground spanning linear television, streaming, social media and digital content.
“Live continues to be one of the most powerful ways for brands to connect with engaged audiences at scale, and the Oscars represent the very best of culture, creativity and community,” said Disney Advertising SVP, entertainment and streaming solutions John Campbell. He added that the company has reshaped the show’s commercial potential into a connected experience that stretches well beyond the broadcast.
Brands such as Mazda, Pfizer and Volkswagen of America are tapping into Disney’s wider ecosystem, appearing across original content segments including Know Your Movies on Hulu and Critically Acclaimed on Disney+. Partnerships also extend to social media through TikTok Pulse Premiere and to custom brand storytelling created by Disney CreativeWorks.
The result is what Disney calls the “Oscars Everywhere” approach. Rather than a few high-profile ad breaks, advertisers now find themselves woven through a series of moments before, during and after the ceremony.
These include On The Red Carpet at The Oscars, a live pre-show syndicated across major local markets and streamed nationwide, and the After the Oscars Show, which keeps the conversation going once the final award has been handed out.
This year’s sponsors include Rolex, returning for its ninth year, and Burger King, which joins the Oscars advertiser roster for the first time. Other brands in the mix include Disney Cruise Line, Dunkin’, Eli Lilly and Company, Eucerin, Intuit TurboTax, L’Oréal, McDonald’s, Microsoft, Miebo, Paris Baguette, Peacock, Starbucks, State Farm, Toyota and Verizon.
The 98th Oscars will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC and streamed on Hulu, reaching audiences in more than 200 territories worldwide.
