Muppets on TikTok, Disney Ducks in the Parks, and the $40 Billion Star Wars Merch Machine (Ep. 95)
Jim Hill and Lauren Hersey unpack a surprisingly chaotic Muppets merch rollout on TikTok Shop, explore the viral duck trend making its way into Disney parks, and break down the latest Star Wars Day merchandise strategy. Then, Jim dives deep into the history of the Star Wars licensing deal that changed Hollywood forever—and why it’s still considered one of the smartest (and most lopsided) deals ever made. From plush drops to billion-dollar gambles, this episode connects the dots between fandom, merchandising, and Disney’s evolving playbook.
NEWS
• Disney tests a Muppets merch comeback with a TikTok-first exclusive plush launch
• Fans report confusion and delays during the Muppets TikTok Shop rollout
• The viral “ducking” trend arrives at Disney parks with new collectible lines
• Disney Cruise Line draws boundaries on where guests can place or hide ducks
• Star Wars Day merch drops roll out weekly, building momentum toward May the 4th
FEATURE
• The origin of Star Wars merchandising and George Lucas’ unprecedented deal
• How 20th Century Fox underestimated toy licensing after past failures
• Why Star Wars has generated over $40 billion in merchandise sales
• The surprising connection between Disney musicals and Star Wars’ business model
HOSTS
• Jim Hill – X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia
• Lauren Hersey – X/Twitter: @laurenhersey2 | Instagram: @lauren_hersey_
FOLLOW
• Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews
• YouTube: @jimhillmedia
• TikTok: @jimhillmedia
• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia
SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com
SPONSOR
This episode is brought to you by UnlockedMagic.com – your go-to source for great deals on Disney and Universal theme park tickets. Lock in savings now for your next trip and take the stress out of planning.
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