Lance Fensterman

Is your brand in a pickle? Maybe it's time to look at pickleball. Yes, Pickleball is still the fastest growing sport out there and the licensing opportunities are barely being explored. Sports companies have been the major early adopters and they rushed to develop rackets and other equipment as fast as their factories could glue them together. Remember when Nike almost folded in the 80's because it ignored aerobics as a fad? Well, Nike is not looking to repeat that mistake. Neither is adidas, ASICS, Wilson Sporting Goods Co., Skechers, or a dozen other smaller shoe companies. Already estimated at over $500 million dollars, Pickleball is set to predicted to continue its dominance for years to come. My question, when are the non-sports brands going to jump in and start licensing? https://lnkd.in/eq8-Kmvy #licensing #license #brands #deals

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Loan outs! I know most productions are still honoring them. We have been successful using Bellar Pilukas Consulting as our loan out. However, many non production corporate partners are really causing issues for small companies that have been running this way for years (I am looking at you of the capital D). What have you run into? How has this affected your business and do you think this bill will help? #entertainment #loanout #smallbusiness #womeninfilm #icvfx #losangeleslocal #savethecaliforniafilmindustry

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SPORTS ALERT: Why Copa America Matters Copa America kicks off this Thursday! It’s more than just a soccer tournament—it’s a cultural celebration that resonates deeply with U.S. Hispanics. Here’s why our Tech and Gaming Partners like Samsung, Meta, Apple, Amazon and Activision/Blizzard are part of the excitement and for those of you that aren’t part of the excitement here’s why you should take notice: 1.         Cultural Pride and Passion: Soccer is more than a game; it’s a shared passion that unites millions of Hispanics across borders. Copa America brings together national teams from Latin America, allowing fans to cheer for their home countries while embracing their American identity. 2.         Engagement Goldmine: Advertisers seeking to connect with this vibrant community should want to be a part of Copa America. TU’s coverage draws enthusiastic viewers and ratings.  Soccer provides brands a unique opportunity to engage authentically. 3.         Brand Affinity and Loyalty: Aligning with Copa America builds brand affinity. When brands celebrate Hispanic culture, they earn loyalty and respect. It’s not just about selling products; it’s about becoming part of the cultural fabric. So, marketers, gear up! Copa America isn’t just about goals; it’s about connecting hearts, minds, and brands. 🌟⚽🎉

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*NEW* Frank Grillo dives into the unique premise of "Werewolves," which combines the classic horror of werewolves with a pandemic twist. The movie is out today!💡✨Watch the full interview at geekvibesnation.com #kjtoday #newmovie #celebrityinterview

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The Fox Corporation has always been a very intriguing topic of conversation for me in entertainment because of the press and the stigmatism around the company. In an article written by Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter goes into explaining the revenue boost that the Fox Corporation has experienced this election cycle due to the paid political advertisements on their national and local networks. According to Weprin, “Fox reported revenues of $3.56 billion, up 11 percent from a year earlier, including advertising revenues of more than $1.3 billion, also up 11 percent.”  This is promising news for Fox, and the rest of the linear television companies, because political ads have proven to provide a valuable source of revenue, offsetting the industry-wide shift to streaming platforms. While the streaming epidemic is still upon us, political ads have provided linear television companies with a temporary but reliable revenue source this election cycle. The election cycle keeps linear television alive and relevant, but it also distinguishes the priority of cable news networks to cover current events such as elections or breaking news over streaming platforms which rely more on libraries and intellectual property (IP) from the parent companies that operate them. Another factor that could point to the revenue generated for Fox Corp. during this year's election cycle is the brand and political ideology the company has crafted for itself. Since the inception of Fox News, the network has always been a one-stop-shop for conservative news drawing in large numbers of viewers who are dedicated to the GOP. This aspect, coupled with a candidate such as Mr. Donald Trump, and a politically divided nation, draws in even more viewers to their broadcast throughout the months leading up to the election and weeks after.  Overall. I believe that this is a big win for linear television because of the neglect that it has received from the lack of faith that media conglomerates have in their networks and the push to move to digital. This article provides a temporary solution for the problems facing the linear television business providing a significant revenue boost to company bottom lines while also showing the importance of linear television during political campaigns and election cycles. I am interested to see if other nationwide events have the same effect that this election cycle has had on the traditional television model.  Esquire Group Inc. https://lnkd.in/eWp4EPQG

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Kudos to Adam SIlver and the NBA! The NBA has now finalized its media rights deals with Amazon, Disney and NBCUniversal, which are set to generate an estimated $76 billion over 11 years, beginning with the season ending in 2026. Disney will keep the rights to show the NBA Finals exclusively, Amazon will have global rights to 66 regular-season NBA games, including an opening week doubleheader and a new Black Friday game. Amazon continues to make waves in live sports streaming by adding NBA and WNBA coverage to its existing Thursday Night Football NFL deal. This is a HUGE deal symbolizing where the sports media industry is heading. Streaming continues to become a major focus for content delivery with platforms like Netflix and Amazon both taking territory. Both will require robust technological infrastructure and trusted sports broadcasting expertise in order to provide viewers globally with a reliable and stable streaming experience. Read more here: @Variety https://lnkd.in/edAK-dZn #NBA #livestreaming #mediaenentertainment

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A couple of months ago I posted about RIAA suing Verison. Last month Verizon shot back: https://lnkd.in/g23p4KSX What will be the end result of this “conversation’ playing out in court. In the long term. Is this a result of technology (streaming services) not addressing the problem that they were trying to solve? Perhaps this is a signal that further innovation is needed in how content is managed, distributed, and monetized online. There's a strong argument that, while tech helped create more accessible music platforms, it hasn't fully addressed the concerns of artists, songwriters, and other creators. Is this lawsuit an opportunity to revisit those revenue-sharing models and perhaps craft something fairer?  We want to move forward and not limit creativity as it seems the problem is still not solved. Where do we go from here?

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🎙️ Just had an incredible day at our headquarters with my good friend, Eric Meyer, MIM We sat down for a conversation that will kick off our new podcast series, and let me tell you—it was one for the books. Eric, with 20 years of experience working with billion-dollar global brands, delivered some of the most thoughtful, powerful insights I’ve ever heard on marketing, advertising, and branding. But the question that left us all leaning forward was this: What would you do if you could start from scratch, rebooting a company’s entire approach to marketing and advertising? His response? Mind-blowing. Imagine transforming your entire salesforce, your team—every employee—into an extension of your marketing department. Integrating them directly into your content, communication platforms, and systems to create a unified, authentic brand voice. This isn’t just marketing, it’s a paradigm shift in how we think about business growth from the inside out. Eric’s insight is a game-changer for any business, whether you’re focused on external expansion or internal alignment. A huge thank you to Eric for his time and these invaluable nuggets of wisdom. This is just the beginning—stay tuned for more!

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The Unpopular Podcast Ep 473. "Giving Out Thanks Left and Right!" is available now. In this episode, I discuss the historic season Saquon Barkley is having and if he should win the MVP. I also talk UCLA upset over South Carolina, College Football Chaos, GNX, the Harbaugh Bowl and so much more! https://lnkd.in/e_cHMEAp #TheUnpopularPodcast

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𝐂𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐍𝐁𝐀: 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐲𝐩𝐞 – 𝐀 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 On ESPN's #FirstTake, the air crackled with tension as Stephen A. Smith and Monica McNutt clashed over the media's portrayal of Caitlin Clark's rocky start in the WNBA. The crux of their debate?  Whether the media's fascination with Clark overshadows the league's other talents or if it's a strategic move to boost viewership. Both points have merit, but let's dive deeper into the business and media implications of Clark's burgeoning career. 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟏: 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐲𝐧 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐢𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝑃𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 #1: 𝑉𝑖𝑒𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑝 Clark's entry into the league has been nothing short of a viewership bonanza. Her debut and subsequent games have consistently drawn over a million viewers, with one game reaching a staggering 2.12 million on ESPN2—a testament to her drawing power. 𝑃𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 #2: 𝑀𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 Clark's Midwestern roots and engaging play style make her a magnet for advertisers and a boon for Nike, which signed her to a lucrative shoe deal. And let's be honest, her being a white woman in a Black league helps, as proven by the fact that only white WNBA players have their own signature shoes. 𝑃𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 #3: 𝐼𝑛𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 Clark's proactive engagement w/ media, something not all players lean into, has not only increased league visibility but also played a role in securing better amenities for players, such as private air travel—a significant win for player welfare. 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟐: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐢𝐭𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐡𝐲𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝑃𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 #1: 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑀𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑎 The current media landscape has fixated on Clark to the extent that her coverage eclipses that of entire teams like the Las Vegas Aces, the reigning champs and a burgeoning dynast. Such an imbalance can skew public perception of the league's talent distribution and depth. 𝑃𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 #2: 𝐸𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑐 Highlighting Clark's earnings and endorsements might give the impression that all WNBA players enjoy similar financial benefits, which is far from the truth. This misconception could hinder efforts to address pay equity within the league. 𝑃𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 #3: 𝐻𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 The sports world is riddled with tales of hyped athletes who couldn't shoulder the burden of expectation—remember soccer prodigy Freddy Adu? Such scenarios serve as cautionary tales. Overloading Clark with expectations could backfire, potentially stifling wider interest in the WNBA if she fails to meet the hype, similar to the setbacks in U.S. soccer post-Adu. #InConclusion Clark's impact on the WNBA is undeniable—she attracts viewers and enhances the league's profile. However, the media must navigate this narrative with care to avoid placing undue pressure on one star, which could jeopardize the league's collective growth and economic stability

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In one click you can get the license for even 500 Copyrighted Movies/Sports/Music brands directly to your FAST/SVOD/Mobile app/AVOD/CTV/Payment & Billing Systems. Many companies have Raised Funds or made Exit based on our content. #trainer #consultantmodetrainer #freelancingmodetrainer #projectmanagement #documentation #androidapplication #androiddevelopment #datascienceandanalytics #internetofthings #IOT #cloudcomputing #AWSdocker #generativeAI #largelanguagemodels #kubernetesICT #trainers

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Nov. 2nd—Day 2 Recap: #TPAFF brought engaging discussions, including the “Distribution & Liberation Panel,” where I was honored to speak. Together, we explored how transmedia is transforming film distribution, especially after the pandemic and industry strikes. Our panel also included the amazing Danny Torres from NBCUniversal, writer/director/producer Derek Johnson II and powerhouse producer Romaine A. Simon which delved into the “liberation” of distribution channels—how filmmakers are finding new freedom to reach global audiences directly through streaming services, VOD, SVOD, TVOD, and even social media, bypassing traditional gatekeepers. We highlighted the rise of hybrid release models, combining theatrical, streaming, and online premieres to expand viewership and profitability. Monetization was another key theme as we discussed new revenue models like subscription tiers, ad-supported content, and crowd-funded releases that give creators more options to thrive in the changing media landscape. This “Distribution & Liberation” discussion showcased the importance of adaptability and innovation in navigating the industry’s future. Shoutout & #gratitude to the amazing Cassandra Cooper CEO of OVA Media Group for inviting me onto the panel. I’m looking forward to building great things together—and as always, to my big brother Dr. Eric J. Zuley of the #ezwayfamily and his #ezwaybroadcasting #ezwaytv for setting it up, connecting us together, and providing media coverage #thankyou you guys!! Much love to ALL. 💖 #TPAFF2024 #FilmDistribution #NewMedia #PostPandemicFilm #HybridReleases #IndieFilm #FilmIndustryTrends #Streaming #DirectToAudience #FilmLiberation #ovamediagroup #IndieFilmmaking #VOD #transmedia #futureoffilm #tracedelatorre #filmgirl #tracemedia #artsharela #filmmakers #losangeles

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Did you know that TV viewers were 6% more likely to engage with ads during #SNL’s just-wrapped season 49 as compared to the broadcast primetime TV average? That's a big deal for a late night show on Saturday nights. To boot, ads aired during SNL were over 2x more effective than other late-night broadcast programming since season 49 made its mid-season, post-strikes debut. Now, NBCUniversal has announced advertisers including Allstate, L'Oréal, T-Mobile, and Volkswagen of America, Inc as season-long sponsors for the program’s golden 50th. SNL fans can expect a significant advertising push from the quartet this fall, culminating in a live, three-hour primetime special in February. SNL is a clear testament to the impact of live, tentpole programming in captivating consumer engagement and delivering business outcomes for advertisers. More from our friend Wayne Friedman in MediaPost. https://lnkd.in/ead2-dPt Oh, and happy 50th SNL! 🎉

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Private equity firms are buying up brands again. Authentic Brands Group (ABG) recently purchased parts of Collective Licensing International, LLC — Airwalk, Hind, Vision Street Wear, and Above the Rim. While they had owned some of these properties in limited ways, ABG has fully acquired each brand bringing with them all of their licensees. I believe more private equity firms should move into the licensing space. Shifting consumer dollars are signaling that younger generations are open to both brand new and forgotten legacy brands. Licensing is a high-profit margin business model, which should be very attractive for private equity firms. Licensing has a greater range of possibilities currently and private equity might be able to scoop up properties poised to be the next trend. https://lnkd.in/eqVSjbmN #licensing #license #brands #deals

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These two books are musts if you are in the business of golf.

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