NEWS

Gene Simmons to take lead keynote at Licensing Leadership Summit 2020

Published on: 17th January 2020

Gene Simmons, the world-renowned entertainer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of KISS will headline the Licensing Leadership Summit 2020 as the lead keynote speaker this year.

Simmons will once again take to the stage, this time to tantalise an audience with his insight and experience of more than four decades worth of licensing and merchandising knowledge.

Not only is Simmons is the co-founder of KISS, America’s number one Gold Record award-winning group of all time, but the brains behind the merchandise powerhouse that has driven more than $1 billion in retail sales of licensed consumer products for brands ranging from Gene Simmons Family Jewels to Rock & Brews, Erebus Pictures, Simmons Records, LA KISS and more.

He’s also engineered collaborations with best-in-class partners such as Archie Comics, Coca-Cola, Hello Kitty, Visa, USPS, Indy Car Series and more.

In his keynote, Gene Simmons: Creating a Brand, Simmons will speak candidly to the Licensing Leadership Summit audience about the launch of his newest branding empire and the secrets to leveraging a brand when you’re the star.

“Licensing is an ever-changing, multi-faceted industry that, if executed passionately and strategically, allows brands to showcase and monetise their style and personality,” said Simmons.

“I look forward to sharing my personal experience and lessons learned over my years mastering the art of this electric business with Licensing Leadership Summit attendees.”

Year-over-year, the business of brand licensing is continuously growing and evolving. According to the Licensing International Annual Global Licensing Survey, global retail sales of licensed merchandise and services grew to $280.3 billion in 2018.

The Licensing Leadership Summit is set to take place at the New York Hilton Midtown, March 16th to 17th, 2020 and will bring together more than 300 brand licensing and retail executives for two full days of networking and thought leadership.

To register to attend, please visit: LicensingLeadershipSummit/Register2020.

“We are honoured to announce that Gene Simmons will headline this year’s Licensing Leadership Summit,” said Anna Knight, vice president, Global Licensing Group.

“Simmons is truly a merchandising genius – as the driver of one of the biggest music brands of all time, the innovation behind and staying power of his brand is certainly one any business leader would want to emulate. His ability to take risks, foster deep and lasting brand growth and diversify across product categories is inspiring and will be an experience our attendees will take back to the board room.”

Additional keynotes and speakers at Licensing Leadership Summit include:

  • Research and analysis organisation, The NPD Group
  • 19 million subscribers strong YouTube star Steven John (Blippi)
  • Artestar
  • Beanstalk
  • Dependable Rights
  • Funko
  • Future State Brands
  • Google Shopping
  • JPatten
  • MoMa
  • NFL Players Association
  • Spin Master
  • Trevco
  • United Talent Agency
  • Viacom Nickelodeon Consumer Products
  • Viacom CBS Consumer Products
  • Zynga
  • And many more!

Confirmed attendees include executives from:

  • Beanstalk
  • Coty Inc.
  • Crayola
  • Major League Baseball
  • Mars Wrigley
  • Steve Madden
  • The Pokémon Company
  • Warner Bros.
  • Warner Media
  • And many more!

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