Toy, merchandising, and cross-promotion campaigns for blockbusters (1977-1994)

1. Studios test modern blockbuster licensing model

   Jan 1, 1975Labels: Studios, Licensing model

   • Merchandising
   • Film history

2. Kenner secures Star Wars toy license

   Jan 1, 1976Labels: Kenner, Star Wars

   • Kenner figures
   • SWCA archive

3. Star Wars premieres and triggers toy shortages

   May 25, 1977Labels: Star Wars, Toy shortages

   • Star Wars
   • Kenner figures

4. Kenner sells Early Bird Certificate “empty box”

   Sep 1, 1977Labels: Kenner, Early Bird

   • SWCA archive
   • Den of Geek

5. Fox and Lucas renegotiate sequel and licensing control

   Jan 1, 1979Labels: 20th Century, George Lucas

   • LA Times
   • Empire Strikes Back

6. Raiders inspires a fast-follow toy line launch

   Apr 1, 1982Labels: Kenner, Indiana Jones

   • Toy guide
   • ToysNTat

7. E.T. launches with a major candy cross-promotion

   Jun 11, 1982Labels: E T, Reese s

   • E T
   • Wired

8. Top Gun highlights value of fashion product placement

   May 16, 1986Labels: Top Gun, Ray-Ban

   • Mental Floss
   • Brands Films

9. Batman marketing standardizes a logo-led tie-in approach

   Jun 23, 1989Labels: Batman, Warner Bros

   • Batman 1989

10. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles expands fast-food and retail cross-promotion

    Mar 30, 1990Labels: Teenage Mutant, Fast-food

    • TMNT 1990
    • Consumer Reports

11. Home Alone 2 pioneers a movie-prop-to-retail toy conversion

    Nov 20, 1992Labels: Home Alone, Talkboy

    • Talkboy

12. Jurassic Park sets a new scale for licensed products

    Jun 11, 1993Labels: Jurassic Park, Universal

    • MarketingMovies
    • LA Times

13. Jurassic Park merchandise projections signal billion-dollar expectations

    Jul 6, 1993Labels: Jurassic Park, Merchandise projections

    • LA Times

14. By 1994, tie-ins become standard blockbuster-era playbook

    Dec 31, 1994Labels: Blockbuster playbook, Tie-ins

    • MarketingMovies
    • Consumer Reports