Bolt!

Creating Style Guide Assets with Product Categories in Mind

Creating Style Guide Assets with Product Categories in Mind

Every licensed brand has its own unique set of attributes that resonate with its fans. Therefore, each should be treated uniquely in how it they are represented visually within the consumer product marketplace. Instead of employing the same templated approach to the development of design assets for … Read More

Package Design Architecture delivers the brand at a glance

Package Design Architecture: Delivering the Brand at a Glance

A brand's package design architecture is most often what resonates first and foremost with consumers. While some consumer product brands don't leverage package design architecture as an integral part of their package design, most knowledgeable brands do. In some cases, it's obvious; in others, less so. Package … Read More

6 licensed product packaging scenarios to avoid

6 Licensed Product Packaging Scenarios to Avoid

Owners of licensed brands, as well as their licensees, are sometimes disappointed by the sales of licensed consumer products. Even for strong properties, sales can fail to meet projections. Quite often, the problem lies in the fact that the property's packaging program is poorly designed and its … Read More

Investing in a style guide. What kind of ROI can I expect?

Investing in a Style Guide: What Kind of ROI Can I Expect?

Brand owners who become interested in licensing often ask the question: “What kind of ROI can I expect if I invest in a style guide for my licensed brand?” The answer lies in understanding the unique nature of licensing and the implications of merchandising consumer products across … Read More

cueing emotions with visual assets in package design

Cueing Emotions with Visual Assets in Package Design

While marketing researchers have recently been discussing the power of visual cues in regard to social media, this isn't new. If anything, it corroborates what psychologist Jerome Bruner of New York University found in studies: people recall 10% of what they hear, 20% of what they read … Read More

how to package action figures for retail success

How to Package Action Figures for Maximum Impact

It's no secret that kids crave action, and lots of it. The truth is, so do adults. Generations have grown up with comic books and movies that have created pop cult heroes with established back stories that resonate. These are the good guys who take on all … Read More

Packaging feelings for mental well-being

Packaging the “In My Feelings” Trend for Mental Well-Being

It’s been very long and difficult couple of years for all of us since the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic. During that time, we, as a global society, have had to endure a magnitude of challenges, from annoying inconveniences to heart-wrenching … Read More

how great licensed products are created

How Great Licensed Products are Created

Licensed brands achieve greatness by design. Clear strategy, consistent brand management, implementable tactics, as well as stellar design make superstars among a sea of licensed properties that often fail to live up to expectations. Design is a crucial component of the marketing mix. It represents both art and … Read More

toy industry capitalizes on popularity of space exploration

Packaging Our Fascination with Space Exploration

Let’s face it: most of humanity can say that 2020 was one of the most difficult years of our lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of us wince at the mere mention of the number. But, as is the case with almost every crisis that we’ve … Read More

The power of ownable creative strategies in brand licensing

The Power of Ownable Creative Strategies in Brand Licensing

The holy grail for any brand is to become a lifestyle brand. Having legions of fans who identify with your brand on a highly-personal level is truly amazing. When this happens for toy and entertainment brands, massive success typically follows in the form of brand licensing. However, … Read More