The MTA is apparently huge in Japan, according to an article in today’s Post. Jeremy Olshan took a look at the MTA’s merchandising and licensing sales and discovered that 20 percent of the sales are made in Japan. Of the $5 million of MTA-licensed merchandise sold last year, $1.1 million of it came from Japan, and with a royalty rate of 10 percent, the authority earned $111,332 from Cosmo Japan. “We seem to do especially well in countries that have an affinity for subway systems,” Mark Heavey, the authority’s head marketer, said.
Olshan, who offers up a full list of MTA licensees, drills down on the sales totals as well. Clothing sales from NYC Subway Line generated over $70,000 in royalties for the MTA while token and subway bullet cufflinks and umbrellas remain top sellers. My personal favorite items though are the subway bullet magnets because I can spell out my first name on my fridge.
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