Universal Products & Experiences has inked a multi-year deal extension with Jakks Pacific’s Disguise to bring more of its iconic characters to costume aisles in more territories this Halloween.
As part of the agreement, the LA-based costume maker’s new range of Universal-branded costumes, accessories, inflatables and trunk-or-treat kits will roll out in the US and also expand into LatAm later this year. The deal encompasses several of Universal’s kids brands, including Gabby’s Dollhouse, Jurassic World, Trolls and How to Train Your Dragon.
Universal inked its first multi-year costume deal with Disguise in 2021, and it included the rights to design, market, manufacture and distribute costumes based on the studio’s feature films, TV series and classic monster brands in North America only. This initial range featured inflatable T-Rex costumes for Jurassic World, Minions costumes and accessories for the Despicable Me franchise and Where’s Waldo? bag sets.
Disguise is gearing up for this year’s Halloween season with a stacked licensing portfolio, including Disney Princess, Minecraft, Harry Potter and Pokémon. Earlier this month, the company renewed its multi-year deal with LA-based toyco MGA Entertainment to sell its popular line of L.O.L. Surprise! costumes and accessories worldwide.
Consumer spending on Halloween is generally on the rise right now. Last fall, the US National Retail Federation estimated 2022 spending at US$10.6 billion, up from US$10.1 billion the year before, and more significantly from US$9.1 billion in 2017.