Category Archives: Highlight

Mondo TV to license popular property Bread Barbershop in Italian market

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Mondo TV Group, one of the largest European producers and distributors of animated content, and a licensing agent for many major international brands, has announced that it has been appointed by brand owner Monster Studio to represent licensing for the hit Korean show Bread Barbershop in the Italian market.

Already a success in Italy, where it launched at the end of 2020 on Discovery Italia free-to-air children’s television channel K2, the 3D animated comedy series for kids aged 6-9 is a makeover show – with a difference. All the characters are different kinds of cake and dessert. They come to master craftsman Bread, a renowned cake decorator, in the hope he will use his skills to change their appearance for the better.

A wealth of supporting characters, including clumsy but lovable Wilk, grumpy receptionist Choco, Sausage, Hamburger, Butter and, of course, a lot of hilarious customers, along with jokes, music and action, keep the comedy and energy levels high.

In Italy, Bread Barbershop ranked first among kids’ FTA commercial channels on the target 4-14 from September 2021 to March 2022.  

“In Bread Barbershop, while the main character gives life-changing makeovers that will put any customer in an amazing mood, one always learns that at the end of the day each of us is special in our own unique way,” says Sandro Sgrulloni, Programming & Content Acquisition Senior Manager, Warner Bros Discovery. “We’re delighted that this series has become one of the most appreciated titles on K2, as it fully reflects our mission to promote diversity and inclusion in an accessible, fun way. That’s why we believe our channel is the place to be for Bread Barbershop.”

Bread Barbershop has also been one of the best-performing shows on pay TV channel DeAKids since its launch at the beginning of 2022. It also boasts well over 1.5 million followers on TikTok, tens of millions of views on YouTube, and a top 10 placing on Netflix, where the first two seasons are now streaming. After the success of series one (39 x 7’) and series two (26 x 11’), series three (26 x 11’) will arrive in English-speaking markets later this year.

In its home market, Korea, Bread Barbershop has already inspired a number of successful product lines. Mondo TV, whose licensing division has successfully built a number of major overseas brands in the Italian market, is now developing a licensing campaign across a wide range of categories including toys, games, books, food and other products.

Matteo Corradi, Mondo TV President and CEO, says: “Bread Barbershop is engaging, colourful, clever and very funny. It’s also highly original – there’s no other show quite like it. This an ideal time to pursue licensing opportunities in an Italian market that has clearly embraced the show and its characters. We’re delighted that Monster Studios has appointed us to manage licensing for this unique property in Italy.”

Hyun Ah Ko, Chief of International Business, Monster Studio, says: “We’re thrilled to be working with Mondo TV on building a licensing programme for Bread Barbershop, and certain that it will be as much of a merchandising success as it has already been a broadcasting success on K2. We are now developing toys, books and other products for fans of Bread Barbershop, which we expect to be a lasting success in Italy.”

 

Warner Bros. Discovery EMEA jumps on board for series 2 of Mush-Mush & the Mushables

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Leading kids’ entertainment specialist CAKE, France’s La Cabane and Belgium’s Thuristar have announced a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery EMEA for season two of the Emmy-nominated comedy adventure, Mush-Mush & the Mushables.

Fifty new episodes, including two specials, are now in production and will air on HBO Max and Cartoonito in EMEA.

Warner Bros. Discovery EMEA joins Canal+ (France), VRT-Ketnet, RTBF (Belgium) and RTS (Switzerland), who have already confirmed their commitment to the second season. Season one of Mush-Mush & the Mushables has successfully launched in over 150 territories to date, most recently in the US on preschool block Cartoonito on HBO Max and Cartoon Network.

Created by Elfriede de Rooster, multi-award-winning Mush-Mush & the Mushables is produced by Perrine Gauthier, directed by Joeri Christiaen (Mush-Mush & the Mushables, season one, My Knight and Me) and produced by La Cabane and Thuristar in coproduction with CAKE, which is distributing the series worldwide. Copyrights Group, brand owner and licensing agent for Paddington, is acting as the global licensing agent.

 

Call for prizes as Light Fund Channel swimmers announce silent auction

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With less than two months to go before two teams of six people brave the unforgiving waters of the Channel and race to France, the organisers of The Light Fund English Channel Relay fundraiser have announced plans for a silent auction to get the donations even closer to the £250,000 target – and readers of Licensing Biz can help.

On 16 May the auction site will go live and the link will be sent out on multiple platforms, then all you have to do is place your bids. Everyone in the licensing industry – brand owners, licensees, licensors and all who work with them – is invited to take part.

But of course, to get the impressive response the Light Fund is aiming for requires a fabulous selection of items to choose from – and the industry is already coming forward with prizes big and small including framed posters, limited edition books, tickets to major events, signed football shirts and much, much more.

Anyone who can help is urged to contact the organisers:

Tasmyn Knight / Tasmyn.Knight@hasbro.co.uk

Simon Gresswell / simon@sglp.co.uk

Anne Bradford / Anneb@Poeticbrands.com

Desirable items, event tickets, money-can’t buy experiences, rare souvenirs – anything worth bidding on is welcome. All prizes will be acknowledged on the auction website.

The big swim is scheduled to start between 30 June and 3 July at around 2am on a day when conditions are optimal and, as the date and the Light Fund target of £250,000 get closer, there are still many opportunities to sponsor this brave and slightly offbeat fundraising effort as well, of course, as being name-checked in a film at the 2022 Licensing Awards.

You can find out more about corporate sponsorship options here. And, of course, individuals are very welcome to donate via the event’s Just Giving page, where you can also follow the teams preparing for the big day. There’s also an Instagram feed and a Facebook page containing team photos and updates.

Team captain Stephen Gould says: “If there’s one industry that can supply desirable goods and services worth bidding for it’s the licensing industry. Let us know what you can offer and when. All of it is going to a fantastic cause and will be a great boost to the brave men and women swimming the Channel both by day and by night only a few short weeks from now. Our thanks to you all!”

The Light (Licensing Industry Giving Help Together) Fund was born when a group of like-minded people from the UK licensing industry came up with the idea to form a committee to help those less fortunate than themselves. The Light Fund is a registered charity, which raises monies to fund worthwhile charity projects that help children, women and men. Since its inception, back in 2004, The Light Fund has raised over £1.7 million and funded hundreds of different charity projects.

https://www.lightfund.org

LICENSING EXPO: Q&A with Kerry Phelan, Chief Brand Officer, Genius Brands

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It’s been a successful year for children’s media company Genius Brands, with the acquisition of Canada’s WOW! Unlimited Media and Ameba TV, major investment in Germany’s Your Family Entertainment, and the worldwide rollout of Kartoon Channel! and Kartoon Channel! Kidaverse. The next 12 months promise to be just as busy; in the works are a brand-new series, Shaq’s Garage, featuring basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal, and a Stan Lee Centennial consumer products programme to celebrate 100 years since the revered comic-book creator’s birth.

We caught up with Chief Brand Officer Kerry Phelan ahead of this month’s Licensing Expo to find out more about both new projects, as well as Genius Brands’ plans for the rest of 2022 and beyond.

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Hi Kerry, can you give us a brief overview of Genius Brands – who you are and what you do?

I am the Chief Brand Officer at Genius Brands International, which is a leading global kids’ media company developing, producing, marketing and licensing branded children’s entertainment properties and consumer products for media and retail distribution. I am responsible for consumer engagement with our IP slate and expanding them into bigger commercial franchises.

Our goal is to create a larger ecosystem around our brands, with multiple consumer touchpoints (merchandise, gaming, LBE experiences, and so on) to allow fans to engage with our stories and characters in a much more immersive way.

You’ve worked with some major international companies – what excites you about Genius Brands?

I feel enormously honoured and privileged to have worked on some the world’s most prestigious brands, including the LEGO brand, Star Wars, Pixar Cars, Shrek, Hunger Games, and more. These experiences have all been so unique and amazing in their own way but, for the most part, the connective tissue has always been working on brands that enrich the lives of families and children. So when Genius Brands’ CEO Andy approached me about joining the company and sharing its mission of creating high-quality “content with a purpose” to do good, it became impossible not to say yes.

What are some of the major tasks/opportunities facing you over the next couple of years in your role as Chief Brand Officer?

We are a relatively young company with some very exciting content development in the works. One of our short-term priorities is to leverage our original, new content and dramatically increase our consumer products business, starting with Shaq’s Garage.

You are debuting Shaq’s Garage at the Expo. Can you tell us how the partnership with Shaquille O’Neal came about? What do you think is special about the series? Who is it going to appeal to?

Shaq’s Garage is a fabulous new animated series targeted at kids aged 3-8. The show is a partnership between ABG Entertainment, Shaquille O’Neal and Genius Brands, and it was inspired by Shaq’s real life love of cars and his unwavering  commitment to help kids be the best they can be. The show centres around Shaq and his family of cars, called the Shaq Paq, who have been brought to life. In each episode, Shaq sends the Shaq Paq out on missions to help the community. They eventually accomplish the mission, but not without a lot of humour and hijinks along the way.

The episodes are centred around teaching kids to respect differences and be inclusive, kind, honest, loyal, and all the values we believe are so important in today’s world. Shaq loves this show and is “all in!” He is both a producing partner on the show, as well as starring as an animated Shaq and also voicing the main car character, Biggie D, in the series.

Can you name any licensing partners yet, or is it too early?

It’s just a bit too early. We are very close to signing several partners, starting with toys, and will be debuting the brand to other potential partners at the upcoming Licensing Expo.

Likewise, can you tell us more about the Stan Lee celebrity brand, what’s exciting about it, and in particular, how you’re planning to celebrate the centenary of Stan’s birth?

At Genius Brands, we are incredibly honoured to be the trusted owners of the Stan Lee brand. It’s a great privilege to carry on Stan’s legacy and a responsibility that we take very seriously.

Stan Lee was a legendary content creator and the godfather of pop culture. He would have turned 100 years old later this year [on December 28]. To commemorate “100 Years of Stan”, we are launching a Stan Lee Centennial consumer products programme, as well as some Stan Lee fan events that will allow people to celebrate and pay tribute their beloved icon. And that’s the just the beginning, we will have more big Stan Lee announcements coming soon!

What will visitors to your stand at the Licensing Expo be able to see/do/find out about?

We are thrilled to be back LIVE at Licensing Expo! We welcome all our industry friends and partners to come visit us and learn more about the Stan Lee Centennial programme and see some early animation of Shaq’s Garage and possibly even hear about what’s next.

The licensing industry hasn’t managed to meet up in person for a while. What are you looking forward to most at Licensing Expo 2022?

I am most looking forward to the people! I’ve been very fortunate to have a long career in the entertainment licensing business. When you distil it all down, the licensing industry is all about relationships. If you form true, mutually respectful and collaborative partnerships with smart, good and talented people, then everything else will follow for a mutually successful business.

What do you think are some of the biggest challenges facing the licensing industry as a whole? And what do you think are the greatest opportunities?

The growth of the streamers, combined with the pandemic, has accelerated, and changed the way consumers consume content. This resulted in a proliferation of content being available, so it’s become harder for original IP to break through in a limitless ocean of consumer choices. But, of course, this also presents more opportunity, so it’s an exciting time to be a content creator like we are at Genius Brands.

The retail landscape has also dramatically changed. Online shopping continues to experience double-digit growth and is still the fastest growing retail channel. This presents both challenges and opportunities. The challenge is that, instead of launching big licensed product programmes in thousands of bricks-and-mortar stores, many retailers now want to “test” new, unproven properties in their online stores before committing to the bigger programme. The upside of this approach for licensors is that your new, original property can be given a chance to prove itself instead of the “all or nothing” approach of the past, where buyers would just pass on an unproven property.

Genius Brands International will be at stand C178, Licensing Expo, Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, from 24–26 May 2022.

 

LICENSING EXPO: Bulldog Licensing to showcase a stellar mix of brands, from Magic Mixies to Care Bears

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Bulldog Licensing is readying for its second face-to-face trade show since restrictions were lifted, with an appearance at Licensing Expo in Las Vegas later this month.

The licensing agency will have a range of brands on board its stand, including Care Bears, as it celebrates a big milestone anniversary; the much-loved heritage brand, Sesame Street; the ever-popular Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir; sell-out Christmas sensation Magic Mixies; and new preschool animation Odo, among others.

The loveable, huggable Care Bears from the whimsical land of Care-a-Lot are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year. First introduced in 1982 through a line of greeting cards, the Care Bears have amassed fans of all ages over the decades, and are now featured everywhere from consumer products and plush toys to animated television shows and feature films. Bulldog’s recent deals for the iconic bears include luxury knitwear label, Chinti & Parker, with a range of adult cashmere jumpers, hoodies, sweatpants and T shirts; Character World for a collection of children’s bedding and soft furnishings; and Eat Glitter and Shine for a homeware line based on the globally recognised faces of Tenderheart Bear, Wish Bear and Love-a-Lot Bear.

Heritage brands continue their reign during uncertain times and Sesame Street remains as popular as ever over 50 years since its initial launch. Another property which spans generations in its reach and popularity, Sesame Street still airs daily on leading commercial preschool broadcaster, Tiny Pop, and Bulldog has curated a number of best-in-class deals for the brand, providing a diverse and wide-reaching range of consumer products.

A more recent addition to Bulldog’s carefully selected portfolio of brands is warm-hearted and comic animated series Odo, a co-production between BAFTA winning Belfast-based Sixteen South and Polish animation studio Letko. Odo is a little owl with big ideas; the series launched on Milkshake! in the UK, Cartoonito on HBOmax in the US, ABC Australia, MiniMini in Poland RTÉ in Ireland and, TVO and Knowledge Network in Canada in 2021 with a series of 52 x 7-minute episodes, aiming to teach young children self-efficacy and to believe in themselves. The series has been sold to over 150 territories and was created to help combat the worrying rise in anxiety and depression rates in children. Each episode sees Odo positively tackle challenges with the help of his friends.

Bulldog’s first licensee for the property is master toy partner Wow! Stuff. The deal will see Wow! Stuff create a comprehensive line of Odo toys including plush, dolls, figures and accessories, role-play toys, vehicles, play sets, track sets, construction toys and bath toys. Bulldog has also signed Macmillan Children’s books as Odo’s global publisher.

ZAG’s Miraculous, Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir, everyone’s favourite superhero story, first aired in 2016 in the UK on the Disney Channel and quickly became the top-rated show for the channel. Ladybug and Cat Noir then joined the POP line-up where the show airs daily in prime-time and ranks amongst the top 3 series for Kids 4-15 (Sep 21-Feb 22). On-demand viewers can find Miraculous on Netflix, Disney Plus, and Google Play. The series has been sold to over 120 countries worldwide with season 5 currently in production for a fall 2022 launch, and the US$100 million animated feature will also premiere later this year. Recently, the brand hit over one billion dollars in retail sales with over 250 million products sold around the globe, while on social media, Miraculous has racked up 30 billion views on YouTube alone.

Recent additions to Bulldog’s consumer products line-up include Kennedy Publishing for a standalone magazine, and Zak, which will offer a dining collection including tabletop and dinnerware, drinkware and breakfast sets. The ZAG Lab and Playmates toy line is enjoying massive success at retail with the UK being one of the top 3 markets worldwide, and is a Top 10 Brand in the Fashion Doll category according to NPD data.

Sell-out Christmas toy sensation Magic Mixies, from Moose Toys, is one of the latest additions to the Bulldog family. The innovative magic cauldron caught the attention of the nation at the end of 2021 and was included on Christmas lists from retailers, the Toy Retailers Association, and children alike up and down the UK.

Magic Mixies sales rocketed the brand to become the highest grossing SKU in Moose Toys’ history with stock selling through as soon as it hit shelves. The interactive showstopper then went on to be crowned the Creative Toy of the Year at the 2022 Toy of the Year Awards. Bulldog is now in discussion with a range of leading licensees to partner with the brand for a range of consumer products.

Rob Corney, Managing Director, Bulldog Licensing, says: “The Bulldog team is so excited to be back in Las Vegas for Licensing Expo. Our return to the trade show arena after restrictions were lifted was at BLE and we had a great show seeing customers face-to-face again, so we can’t wait to do it again later this month. The Bulldog roster is the strongest it has ever been at the moment and we’re excited to share all of our news and brand updates with existing and new customers at the show.”

Bulldog Licensing will be at stand B129 at Licensing Expo, Mandalay Bay Convention Centre, Las Vegas, from 24–26 May, 2022.

Andy and the Odd Socks appoints Brands with Influence to manage worldwide licensing

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When Andy and the Odd Socks formed in 2017 and played the world-famous Glastonbury Festival, they had no idea that just a few years later they would have a hugely successful TV show in the UK, Australia and the USA, plus over 100 live shows under their belt, and a social media reach of 100 million.

The CBBC/CBeebies family show led by Andy Day has gone from strength to strength and Ninja Pig Productions, which put together the band and produces the show, has now appointed Brands with Influence to manage its worldwide licensing programme.

Martin Lowde, MD of Brands with Influence, says: “The energy you get from this series and this band is infectious. They amplify fun, make great music and deliver a really positive message on anti-bullying. They have been building a large loyal fan base over the last few years and we are excited to be asked to help serve this audience by creating fab merchandise.”

With a core audience of 4-9 year olds, Andy and the Odd Socks is a family brand, with parents loving the great music and positive messaging about inclusivity and anti-bullying. Content is now being delivered across TV, live tours and social media, and the brand is attracting guest stars like Brian May to join the fun.

Odd Socks Day in November 2021, which marked the start of Anti-Bullying Week, engaged over 7 million children and 15,000 primary schools in 2021.

Tamsin Skan, Creative Director of Ninja Pig Productions, says: “We were really impressed by BWI’s understanding and passion for what we are producing here at Ninja. We promote a positive social message throughout the TV show, our live show and original songs and we deliver it via a heady mixture of fun, comedy and music.

“Andy and the Odd Socks encourage children to celebrate difference and individuality, which is so important, especially in today’s world. Everyone is invited to join the Odd Socks and we look forward to embracing licensees who share our vision and positive ideas.”

Moonbug appoints Francesca Romana Gianesin as Head of Consumer Products EMEA ANZ

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Moonbug Entertainment Ltd. has announced the appointment of Francesca Romana Gianesin as Head of Consumer Products EMEA ANZ.

In this newly created role, Gianesin is responsible for driving the consumer products business across EMEA and ANZ. Her remit covers all Moonbug properties, including hit brands such as Blippi, CoComelon and Little Baby Bum.

Gianesin is an experienced international business executive with vast experience in the consumer products business. Prior to joining Moonbug she spent 20 years at The Walt Disney Company, where she held a variety of leadership roles across different business segments, countries and regions. Most recently she was Senior Vice President and Board Member of Disneyland Paris, where she oversaw all the Resort’s experiences and products. Prior to this, she was based in London, at the Disney EMEA headquarters, serving as Vice President Consumer Products for EMEA.

Gianesin started her career at Disney working as Vice President Consumer Products Italy and Vice President Retail, where she was responsible for driving commercial strategy, expanding businesses and seeking out new distribution opportunities across the business.

Prior to joining Disney, Gianesin worked in commercial roles for Johnson Wax, Unichips Group and Playtex.

“I am thrilled to be joining Moonbug at such an exciting time for the licensing and merchandise business. Our company is experiencing continuous growth as our brands are becoming firm favourites amongst EMEA audiences,” says Gianesin. “I am looking forward to working with the team in order to create high-quality, innovative and relevant products that will allow children across the region to interact with their favourite characters and expand their imagination.”

Simon Philips, Managing Director Global Consumer Products at Moonbug Entertainment, says: “Francesca has a wealth of relevant experience and expertise that I am confident will be invaluable for the growth of Moonbug’s Consumer Products business. Her role will play a key part in our continued rapid expansion. I am very much looking forward to her coming on board at such an exciting and important time in the Moonbug journey.”

Born in Italy, Gianesin graduated from La Sapienza University of Rome in Economics with a Master’s degree in Business Management. She lived in different countries in Europe and is fluent in Italian, English, French and Spanish. Gianesin is a champion for Diversity & Inclusion and has been ranked in the top Best Women Managers by Business People magazine Italy since 2008. She was also one of the first female leaders to sit at the Executive Committee of Centromarca, the Italian Consumer Brands Association, part of AIM.

Gianesin will be based in the Moonbug head offices in the UK working closely with the Moonbug licensing and merchandising team in the USA.

 

 

 

Moonbug appoints Francesca Romana Gianesin as Head of Consumer Products EMEA ANZ

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Moonbug Entertainment Ltd. has announced the appointment of Francesca Romana Gianesin as Head of Consumer Products EMEA ANZ.

In this newly created role, Gianesin is responsible for driving the consumer products business across EMEA and ANZ. Her remit covers all Moonbug properties, including hit brands such as Blippi, CoComelon and Little Baby Bum.

Gianesin is an experienced international business executive with vast experience in the consumer products business. Prior to joining Moonbug she spent 20 years at The Walt Disney Company, where she held a variety of leadership roles across different business segments, countries and regions. Most recently she was Senior Vice President and Board Member of Disneyland Paris, where she oversaw all the Resort’s experiences and products. Prior to this, she was based in London, at the Disney EMEA headquarters, serving as Vice President Consumer Products for EMEA.

Gianesin started her career at Disney working as Vice President Consumer Products Italy and Vice President Retail, where she was responsible for driving commercial strategy, expanding businesses and seeking out new distribution opportunities across the business.

Prior to joining Disney, Gianesin worked in commercial roles for Johnson Wax, Unichips Group and Playtex.

“I am thrilled to be joining Moonbug at such an exciting time for the licensing and merchandise business. Our company is experiencing continuous growth as our brands are becoming firm favourites amongst EMEA audiences,” says Gianesin. “I am looking forward to working with the team in order to create high-quality, innovative and relevant products that will allow children across the region to interact with their favourite characters and expand their imagination.”

Simon Philips, Managing Director Global Consumer Products at Moonbug Entertainment, says: “Francesca has a wealth of relevant experience and expertise that I am confident will be invaluable for the growth of Moonbug’s Consumer Products business. Her role will play a key part in our continued rapid expansion. I am very much looking forward to her coming on board at such an exciting and important time in the Moonbug journey.”

Born in Italy, Gianesin graduated from La Sapienza University of Rome in Economics with a Master’s degree in Business Management. She lived in different countries in Europe and is fluent in Italian, English, French and Spanish. Gianesin is a champion for Diversity & Inclusion and has been ranked in the top Best Women Managers by Business People magazine Italy since 2008. She was also one of the first female leaders to sit at the Executive Committee of Centromarca, the Italian Consumer Brands Association, part of AIM.

Gianesin will be based in the Moonbug head offices in the UK working closely with the Moonbug licensing and merchandising team in the USA.

 

 

 

George Leon to host Licensing International Excellence Awards

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Licensing International has announced that industry veteran George Leon will host the 2022 Licensing International Excellence Awards. With more than 25 years of experience, Leon is a respected expert in the global promotions and franchise development space.

Leon will take centre stage on May 23 at 5:30pm PST at The LIGHT Vegas Nightclub as the master of ceremonies for this year’s Excellence Awards. He has himself won multiple Licensing International Excellence Awards, including the 2003 Entertainment License of the Year for Spider-Man, the 2005 Overall Best License of the Year for Spider-Man 2, the 2005 Best Promotion of the Year, and the 2015 Academic Excellence Award.

Leon founded California-based Cakewalk Entertainment in 2017. He previously spent 16 years at Sony Pictures Entertainment, most recently serving as EVP of Consumer Marketing for global branded entertainment, licensing, and product placement. Leon has also worked with the teams at Saban Entertainment and Camelot Licensing.

“I’m beyond excited to honour this year’s incredible nominees and celebrate the winners as the host of the Licensing International Excellence Awards,” Leon says. “And after two years of virtual meetings, I can’t wait to get dressed up and gather together with my colleagues across the licensing industry.”

The Licensing International Excellence Awards recognise outstanding achievements and innovation in the licensing industry around the world. This year’s Excellence Awards feature 165 finalists from 20 countries in 25 categories.

Registration for the Excellence Awards ceremony is now open. Licensing Expo will take place from May 24-26 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, and registration for the event is available online.

 

George Leon to host Licensing International Excellence Awards

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Licensing International has announced that industry veteran George Leon will host the 2022 Licensing International Excellence Awards. With more than 25 years of experience, Leon is a respected expert in the global promotions and franchise development space.

Leon will take centre stage on May 23 at 5:30pm PST at The LIGHT Vegas Nightclub as the master of ceremonies for this year’s Excellence Awards. He has himself won multiple Licensing International Excellence Awards, including the 2003 Entertainment License of the Year for Spider-Man, the 2005 Overall Best License of the Year for Spider-Man 2, the 2005 Best Promotion of the Year, and the 2015 Academic Excellence Award.

Leon founded California-based Cakewalk Entertainment in 2017. He previously spent 16 years at Sony Pictures Entertainment, most recently serving as EVP of Consumer Marketing for global branded entertainment, licensing, and product placement. Leon has also worked with the teams at Saban Entertainment and Camelot Licensing.

“I’m beyond excited to honour this year’s incredible nominees and celebrate the winners as the host of the Licensing International Excellence Awards,” Leon says. “And after two years of virtual meetings, I can’t wait to get dressed up and gather together with my colleagues across the licensing industry.”

The Licensing International Excellence Awards recognise outstanding achievements and innovation in the licensing industry around the world. This year’s Excellence Awards feature 165 finalists from 20 countries in 25 categories.

Registration for the Excellence Awards ceremony is now open. Licensing Expo will take place from May 24-26 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, and registration for the event is available online.