Yep, “splicensing” as Adam Pawlus (Adam16bit here) has referred to it. Same reason you’re seeing Ninja Turtles from Super7 (toy-inspired Ultimates, Reaction), NECA (media reference “Ultimates”), BST Action, Playmates (retro toys), and, now, McFarlane (Mutant Mayhem kids toys).
In terms of Picard…I like what I saw. I watched bits of the series, but it just could never quite “grab me”. This time? Maybe it’s the visual and audio pandering, but I got pulled in. Ship design is gorgeous, the plot has a nice hook, and the usage of TNG cast members give a lot more weight than the sparse appearances in the prior seasons. The audio was FULL of fun Easter Eggs. In addition to the use of the Goldsmith Star Trek themes, it seemed like there was a LOT of Horner influence during the Titan sequences. Loved to hear the ending credits use the First Contact score as well the transition to the classic Goldsmith TNG music. Speaking of the credit sequence…