{"id":44612,"date":"2025-09-16T17:07:29","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T15:07:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.licensingitalia.it\/?p=44612"},"modified":"2026-02-26T17:08:22","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T16:08:22","slug":"interview-with-giada-paterlini-president-of-starbright-licensing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.licensingitalia.it\/en\/interview-with-giada-paterlini-president-of-starbright-licensing\/","title":{"rendered":"Interview with Giada Paterlini, President of Starbright Licensing"},"content":{"rendered":"

In an exclusive interview with Licensing Italia, Giada Paterlini<\/strong>, President of Starbright Licensing<\/strong>, shares how Dragon Ball<\/strong> continues to thrive as an iconic brand in the global licensing world. A key strength of the franchise lies in its multigenerational appeal<\/strong>: the strategy combines collectible products designed for adult fans with categories that are easily accessible to younger audiences, creating a constant connection with fans of all ages. Internationally, the brand keeps evolving while staying true to its roots, with 2024<\/strong> marking an important milestone thanks to the launch of Dragon Ball Daima<\/strong>, the latest creation by Akira Toriyama<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

LI: Dragon Ball has long been one of the most impactful franchises in the global licensing arena, thanks to the depth of its narrative universe and the strength of its brand. Which product categories does the brand currently dominate, and which are delivering the strongest market performance?<\/b><\/p>\n

GP: Dragon Ball<\/strong> continues to hold a leading position across a broad range of product categories, with a licensing strategy that remains true to the brand\u2019s identity while engaging multiple consumer segments.<\/span><\/p>\n

Historically, the strongest categories remain Toys<\/strong> – particularly action figures and collectibles – and Apparel<\/strong>, which continues to be a key growth driver through capsule collections distributed through major retail chains.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Emerging categories such as <\/span>Food & Beverage<\/b> are also showing exceptional performance, fueled by the \u2018kidult\u2019 phenomenon and the growing appeal of collectible fandom products.<\/span><\/p>\n

The licensing program benefits from strategic collaborations with category-leading brands, which help maintain high perceptions of quality and authenticity. This ability to operate effectively across both mass-market and premium segments is a key factor in sustaining Dragon Ball\u2019s distinctive positioning and high profitability worldwide.<\/span><\/p>\n

LI: Dragon Ball\u2019s audience is broad and multi-layered, spanning long-time fans from the 1990s to new collectors and so-called \u201ckidults.\u201d How does the licensing strategy address these different consumer segments, and what role does nostalgia play in brand communication?<\/b><\/p>\n

GP: Dragon Ball is a <\/span>multi-generational brand<\/b>. Its community ranges from long-standing fans who grew up with the anime in the 1990s to kidults and new collectors. Our licensing strategy reflects this breadth, focusing on two main directions:<\/span><\/p>\n