Tag Archives: Brand Licensing Europe 2021

BLE online event starts tomorrow

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There’s just one day to go until the start of the BLE follow-up online event.

The perfect place to kickstart productive conversations and gain new knowledge in preparation for a successful year ahead, the digital event runs from 30 November – 1 December. Over 170 brand owners are taking part, and there will be some familiar names from the show floor as well as some additional big brands like Mattel, Bavaria Sonar Licensing and Pokemon that can only be met with virtually.
Log on to view 33 content sessions recorded from the live show, including the live Keynotes and Retail Lounge talks, 13 educational Licensing U sessions and new exclusive on-demand content.
With 1,000+ meetings booked already, calendars are very quickly filling up so reach out to the brands you want to meet with now to avoid disappointment.
Register now to take part by clicking here.

The show that keeps on giving: BLE goes digital on 30 November and 1 December

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Attendees to Brand Licensing Europe, which took place at ExCeL London last week, participated in 2,669 pre-booked meetings and many hundreds more arranged spontaneously during the three-day show, resulting in one exhibitor hailing the event a ‘triumphant return’.

BLE was back in person after more than two years away to reconnect thousands of retailers, manufacturers and designers with over 150 exhibiting companies and a marked increase in retailer attendees compared to 2019 (11 per cent to 15 per cent).

BLE 21 networking continues online

A further 870 (and rising) meetings have now been booked on the BLE platform for the follow-up online event, which takes place on 30 November and 1 December. Attendees unable to attend BLE in person, and those who did attend but want to book overflow meetings, will be able to connect with most of the in person exhibitors as well as 53 online-only exhibitors, including Mattel, The Pokémon Company, Playmobil, ITV Studios, Bavaria Media, Brigitte Bardot, Edutainment Licensing, Metrostar, Mondo TV, Princess Sam, and more.

The event’s online content programme will expand BLE’s ‘What’s Next’ theme, including three online-only ‘In Conversation’ sessions with senior executives from ViacomCBS Consumer Products; a sustainability panel with Products of Change, and Licensing U, alongside the option to watch recordings of the Team GB and ViacomCBS live keynotes, five ‘What’s Next at Retail’ sessions and the Kelvyn Gardner License This! final, which took place at the show. All of this content will be available to watch on demand for free until 28 February 2022.

 Online-only content includes:

‘D&I In Conversation’ sessions with ViacomCBS executives

  • Diversity in the Workplace
  • Diversity in Content
  • Diversity in Products

Brands for Social Change: Join Products of Change as they talk to Yellow Octopus, Newlife, Preloved Kilo and George at Asda to discuss how they are diverting clothes from landfill and building a fully circular fashion industry.

Licensing U: Featuring 14 presentations across three tracks – Basics, Spotlights and Tactics & Strategies – Licensing U is a one-stop-shop education programme about the $292bn licensing industry for newcomers and experienced professionals. Tickets start at £145 if purchased ahead of the event, or £160 in the platform, and can be purchased when registering for BLE. (Licensing International members can enjoy a 10% discount).

Anna Knight, VP licensing, Informa Markets, says: “What can I say? A massive thank you to everyone who not only made it possible for BLE to return in person this year, but who delivered a top-quality event that delivered on its promise to reconnect the European licensing industry for three days of incredible networking and content. We couldn’t be prouder or more delighted with the feedback we’ve received from exhibitors, visitors and partners.

“Next stop BLE online on Tuesday 30 November and Wednesday 1 December. This is the last real opportunity for the European licensing industry to connect en masse in 2021, so book those meetings now. And then next year we’ll be travelling over to Vegas for Licensing Expo and finally – just 10 months from now – BLE 2022, which will take place 20-22 September at ExCeL London. Despite the sore feet, we can’t wait.”

 

 

 

 

The show that keeps on giving: BLE goes digital on 30 November and 1 December

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Attendees to Brand Licensing Europe, which took place at ExCeL London last week, participated in 2,669 pre-booked meetings and many hundreds more arranged spontaneously during the three-day show, resulting in one exhibitor hailing the event a ‘triumphant return’.

BLE was back in person after more than two years away to reconnect thousands of retailers, manufacturers and designers with over 150 exhibiting companies and a marked increase in retailer attendees compared to 2019 (11 per cent to 15 per cent).

BLE 21 networking continues online

A further 870 (and rising) meetings have now been booked on the BLE platform for the follow-up online event, which takes place on 30 November and 1 December. Attendees unable to attend BLE in person, and those who did attend but want to book overflow meetings, will be able to connect with most of the in person exhibitors as well as 53 online-only exhibitors, including Mattel, The Pokémon Company, Playmobil, ITV Studios, Bavaria Media, Brigitte Bardot, Edutainment Licensing, Metrostar, Mondo TV, Princess Sam, and more.

The event’s online content programme will expand BLE’s ‘What’s Next’ theme, including three online-only ‘In Conversation’ sessions with senior executives from ViacomCBS Consumer Products; a sustainability panel with Products of Change, and Licensing U, alongside the option to watch recordings of the Team GB and ViacomCBS live keynotes, five ‘What’s Next at Retail’ sessions and the Kelvyn Gardner License This! final, which took place at the show. All of this content will be available to watch on demand for free until 28 February 2022.

 Online-only content includes:

‘D&I In Conversation’ sessions with ViacomCBS executives

  • Diversity in the Workplace
  • Diversity in Content
  • Diversity in Products

Brands for Social Change: Join Products of Change as they talk to Yellow Octopus, Newlife, Preloved Kilo and George at Asda to discuss how they are diverting clothes from landfill and building a fully circular fashion industry.

Licensing U: Featuring 14 presentations across three tracks – Basics, Spotlights and Tactics & Strategies – Licensing U is a one-stop-shop education programme about the $292bn licensing industry for newcomers and experienced professionals. Tickets start at £145 if purchased ahead of the event, or £160 in the platform, and can be purchased when registering for BLE. (Licensing International members can enjoy a 10% discount).

Anna Knight, VP licensing, Informa Markets, says: “What can I say? A massive thank you to everyone who not only made it possible for BLE to return in person this year, but who delivered a top-quality event that delivered on its promise to reconnect the European licensing industry for three days of incredible networking and content. We couldn’t be prouder or more delighted with the feedback we’ve received from exhibitors, visitors and partners.

“Next stop BLE online on Tuesday 30 November and Wednesday 1 December. This is the last real opportunity for the European licensing industry to connect en masse in 2021, so book those meetings now. And then next year we’ll be travelling over to Vegas for Licensing Expo and finally – just 10 months from now – BLE 2022, which will take place 20-22 September at ExCeL London. Despite the sore feet, we can’t wait.”

 

 

 

 

Kelvyn Gardner License This! winners announced

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The winners of the 2021 Kelvyn Gardner License This! competition were announced at Brand Licensing Europe on Friday afternoon after nine finalists battled it out in three pitches full of creativity, inspiration, laughter and emotion.

The winners are:

  • Brand & Design Category: Sophie Jonas-Hill and Tea for Tattoo
  • Character & Animation: Joel Mercer – SeedFolk
  • New for 2021! Product Design in partnership with Mojo Nation: Wayne Lindsay – Imaginnovation
  • Tea for Tattoo is a series of hand-drawn motifs which bring together the colour palette and style of traditional blue and white ceramics, with the aesthetic and cheeky edge of old-school tattoos.
  • SeedFolk has been developed by the innovative creative team behind Seedlings Cards & Gifts; a lovable range of characters, who care for our native habitats and wildflower seeds.
  • Wayne Lindsay designed a desk tidy based on Aardman Animations’ beloved Morph and Chaz characters, a product inspired by the ‘tension’ and ‘collaboration’ epitomised in their relationship.

When commenting on the final presentations, Ian Downes, chair of the judges and director of Start Licensing, said of the Brand & Design and Character & Animation categories:

“Congratulations to the finalists who presented very strong, well thought through and commercially mindful concepts. Lots of thought had gone into where the brands fit the market and the licensing potential of them.”

Of the Product Design category presentations, he said, “It was genuinely a very close call. The spirit of friendship between the designers – all three are sitting together – is a real credit to them and to design and creative people. It was a really good set of presentations, products and ideas and Aardman and Start Licensing would love to talk to all three designers afterwards about developing their ideas in the future and talk about how we can bring them to life.”

The Kelvyn Gardner License This! final can be viewed again during the online Brand Licensing Europe event, which takes place 30 November – 1 December. Brand Licensing Europe returns in 2022 from 20-22 September at ExCeL London.

Kids Industries to reveal new research on sustainability at Brand Licensing Europe

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Family-focused marketing agency Kids Industries (KI) is launching a new report today at Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) exploring the relationship children and their parents have with the environment.

Hot on the heels of COP26 and the announcement that Government is planning to change the primary curriculum to include climate change science and sustainability studies, the survey of 2,001 children and parents in the UK and US shines a light on current perceptions today and what families would like to see change.

It showed that the current understanding of climate concerns and topics is limited:

  • 65 percent of children aged 5-15 do not know what ‘sustainability’ means – this includes 80 percent of 5–7-year-olds and 50 percent of 12-15 year olds
  • 65 percent of children aged 5-15 do not know what ‘sustainability’ means – this includes 80 percent of 5–7-year-olds and 50 percent of 12-15 year olds
  • 87 percent of UK children don’t know what ‘greenwashing’ means
  • 86 percent don’t understand the term ‘bioplastic’
  • 42 percent of UK children are confused about environmental issues (this confusion reduces with age) – this rises to 53 percent amongst US children

Children do think the environment is important: 

While 63 percent of UK children (67 percent in the US) aged 5-15 believe our impact on the environment and wildlife is the most important issue we face today, the specifics vary by country.

In the UK, they are:

  1. Plastic waste (53 percent)
  2. Climate change (50 percent)

In the US, they are:

  1. Pollution (41 percent)
  2. Saving endangered species (39 percent)

Children are trying to do their part – even if it is small: 

  • 94 percent of UK children (92 percent US) have done something for the environment, most commonly recycling (63 percent UK, 36 percent US).
  • 83 percent of UK and US children US agree everyone can be environmentally friendly if they try hard enough.
  • 70 percent of UK children (76 percent US) agree it is important to them that their lifestyle is more environmentally friendly.
  • 69 percent of UK children (77 percent US) would do more for the environment if they had more time and money.

The circular economy and product reuse, recycle, repurpose

 It’s clear that plastic is still king, but planet-friendly toy options are catching up.

Plastic toys were the most popular toy category purchased in the past 12 months by UK parents (40 percent) and US parents (52 percent), followed by second-hand toys in the UK (37 percent) and wooden toys in the US (38 percent)

In the US, plastic toys are also the most frequently bought (32 percent) but in the UK, more parents buy second hand (25 percent) over plastic (22 percent).

What happens when toys outlive their use:

  • Thrown away and heading to landfill (14 percent UK/16 percent US)
  • Given to charity (32 percent UK/26 percent US)

Interestingly, 25 percent of UK parents said that they had bought a ‘sustainable’ toy in the past year (rising to 37 percent of US parents).

 What next? 

Parents want to see…

  1. Products that are easier to recycle (48 percent UK/41 percent of US)
  2. Cheaper sustainable product options (45 percent UK/32 percent US)
  3. Products that are easier to refurbish or fix (37 percent UK/35 percent US parents).

Gary Pope, CEO and Co-Founder at Kids Industries and Children’s Commissioner for Products of Change, commented: “The introduction of a new environment-based curriculum couldn’t come at a better time. Children need supporting in their knowledge of the issues at hand and what they can do to make a difference – never underestimate the power of collective responsibility. That said, parents don’t want more information, they want it to be easier and they’re looking for companies that can facilitate this.

“The demand for new solutions from children and their parents is evident – and just as recycling is at the forefront of children’s minds, it’s playing on their parents thinking, too, and best of all, it’s the easiest solution. There’s now a genuine desire too for toys that are produced more sustainably – a consciousness to see less waste. The toy industry has a responsibility to review these figures and adjust accordingly. The time to take action and listen to wants and desires in these areas is now.”

Meet Gary Pope at the BLE Sustainability Activation 17-19 November, ExCeL London. He is also presenting in the Retail Trends Lounge at 10am on Friday 19 November, which is accessible to retailers and press badge holders.

 

Scan the QR code to download the full report for FREE

BLE latest: Style Sisters’ live appearance, plus attractions for speed freaks and dog lovers

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Come and meet the celebrities’ favourite duo, the Style Sisters, for an insight into their incredible skill set detoxing, styling and organising homes; relax with special guests from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and Guide Dogs; check out the latest automotive innovations with Motul and more.

With nearly 300,000 Instagram followers, celebrity clients and fans aplenty, Style Sisters Gemma Lilly and Charlotte Reddington are taking time out of their busy schedules to make an exclusive appearance at Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) next Thursday (18 November) to tell the story of their burgeoning brand in the Retail Trends Lounge and take part in a meet-and-greet at the BLE bar.

Attendees are not only able to grab one of 40 giveaway copies of their book Style Sisters: Helping you live an organised and stylish life, but also be in with a chance to win a very special wardrobe detox* by The Style Sisters themselves.

“We are thrilled that the Style Sisters are able to join everyone at BLE, talking to retailers, licensees and guests about their success in business and what it takes to bring an organised and stylish life to everyone’s home, and on all levels of budget,” says Francesca Lisle, Managing Director, Lisle Licensing.

“Style Sisters are due to launch their licensing programme in Spring 2022 and are looking forward to sharing their plans with guests in the retail lounge and in the BLE Bar during Thursday afternoon.  After all, every stylish life deserves a glass or two to make you smile!”

Exclusive appearance from the Style Sisters on Thursday 18 November:

2.15pm-2.45pm – Presentation and Q&A in Retail Trends Lounge
2.45pm-3.45pm – Meet & Greet at BLE Bar (Stand C191)

Gemma and Charlotte’s appearance at BLE (17-19 Nov, ExCeL London) is just one of many exciting new announcements to the event schedule.

Each day of the show, BLE attendees can meet a Battersea dog or join the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home team at any time for a chat and ice cream by Jude’s (visit stand #C201), which last year launched its Battersea branded ice cream for dogs.

Guide Dogs for the Blind will also be bringing two adult dogs and two pups in training to the first day of BLE, Wednesday November 17. Attendees can meet them via their brand licensing agent, Bulldog Licensing (stand #A182), or come and say hi as they make their way through the show.

Attendees with a love of all things automotive can visit a wide variety of cars and motorcycles on the show floor from a range of prestigious brands. Direct to Retail will be bringing an M-Sport WRC Rally Car (Stand #D143/C190), BlueSkye Licensing and KJG Ltd will be showcasing the world’s smallest car, the Peel P50, on the BLE Bar and the Motul Café will be hosting two iconic British and Italian bikes – the 1956 Triumph Bobber and 1979 Moto Guzzi Custom – to bring automotive brand licensing to life.

BLE runs from Nov. 17-19 and is also followed by a complementary two-day online event on 30 Nov and 1 Dec. Registration for both events is free and available online at www.brandlicensing.eu. Please note, visitors to the in-person event at ExCeL London are asked to register by Tuesday 16 November.

* The winner of the Style Sisters’ Wardrobe Detox must live within the M25 and must submit a picture of their wardrobe to gain approval. Single/two single wardrobes only.

Art and design brand Snowtap to make licensing debut at BLE

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Set to appear for the first time at Brand Licensing Europe, Design studio Snowtap has partnered with licensing agent Kirsty Guthrie from KJG to create a range of consumer products based around its beautiful, playful designs.

Established in 2016 by two university friends, Snowtap is the design studio of graphic designer Susy Snow and illustrator Gracie Tapner. The pair met at the University of Westminster in 2011 while studying for degrees in Illustration and Visual Communication.

After graduating, the founders were both working in the industry, when a catch-up over coffee sparked the idea of setting up a studio together. Less than a month later, the pair had launched Snowtap and the initial two greeting card designs had been stocked in their hometown of Newmarket.

The company now boasts over 70 card designs. Featuring witty puns, the cards cover all occasions, with a range of instantly recognisable designs and illustrations created collaboratively using watercolour, line drawing and hand-drawn typography.

Snowtap is now working with Kirsty Guthrie from KJG to build a licensing portfolio around the brand and extend the illustrations to a range of products covering greetings, homewares, stationery, gifts and more.

Susy commented: “We’re really excited to be working alongside Kirsty and for our range of illustrations to have had such a positive reception already from industry leaders. Working as a duo, our designs have double the creative input, resulting in illustrations that are the best of both worlds. Add to this mix some new opportunities to expand our range and the result is a very exciting future for Snowtap with unlimited potential.”

Kirsty Guthrie added: “Snowtap’s designs are absolutely gorgeous, and their clever, funny puns make the artwork ideal for creating a wide range of lifestyle products. Susy and Gracie are incredibly talented and can create illustrations for any purpose and I’m really looking forward to discussing this brand with potential licensees at BLE and building a consumer product portfolio. Our initial conversations have already resulted in a few deals – more to be revealed shortly – and the brand is being incredibly well received over all manner of product categories. I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds for Snowtap.”

 

 

 

Team GB to present Day 1 keynote at Brand Licensing Europe

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Fresh from securing 63 medals at Tokyo 2020 this summer, Team GB will present the opening day keynote at Brand Licensing Europe in November when British Olympic gold medallists Tom Daley and Charlotte Worthington will talk about their journeys to the 2020 Summer Olympics.

BLE – the meeting place for the European licensing industry – takes place in-person at ExCeL London from 17-19 November followed by an online event on 30 November to 1December. Visitors can register for a free ticket now at www.brandlicensing.eu

The Team GB keynote will take place on Wednesday 17 November at 4pm (GMT) in the Platinum Suite of ExCeL London, and open with the Olympians’ personal accounts of their experiences before, during and following their gold-medal-winning performances at this year’s 2020 Summer Olympics.

The first Team GB diver to win four Olympic medals, Tom Daley will appear by live video link from Canada. BMX Freestyle gold medallist Charlotte Worthington will appear in person alongside Tim Ellerton, Commercial Director of Team GB, and Will Stewart, Managing Director of The Point. 1888 (one of Team GB’s brand licensing partners).

A panel session will follow, featuring all four speakers and covering: how Team GB are building the brand to inspire future athletes and sports fans; how will Paris 2024 be a new milestone for the Team GB brand and its athletes?, and Team GB’s unique approach to brand licensing with sports and fan communities in mind.

Charlotte Worthington will join The Point. 1888 on their stand for a meet-and-greet following the presentation at 5pm.

“The brand licensing stories behind Team GB and our British Olympians are fascinating for retailers, licensees and consumers at any time, but this year – when the pandemic delayed the 2020 Summer Olympics by 12 months – they are particularly compelling,” says Informa Market’s VP of Licensing Anna Knight.

“How do you extend your campaigns while also ensuring they have the same impact with consumers? How do you maximise the window of opportunity when an athlete strikes gold? And how do you prep for something that’s three or four years ahead?

“BLE is truly honoured to have two of this summers’ most popular and inspirational Team GB Olympians participate in what will no doubt be an exceptional keynote at the event next month.”

“The Tokyo Games were a sporting event like no other and the postponement to a year later created some complicated challenges, not only for the athletes but also off the field of play in the commercial and licensing world,” says Tim Ellerton, Commercial Director of Team GB.

“Our ability to come together and find creative solutions for our partners and licensees played a huge role in ensuring that when the Games arrived we had everything in place to provide the athletes with the best possible platform to go and perform. We’re very excited to join the panel on the day and provide an insight into what was another fantastic Olympic Games for Team GB.”

Please note, attendees must pre-register for Brand Licensing Europe to ensure a seat.

 

Just 4 days left to enter the Kelvyn Gardner License This! competition at BLE

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There are just four days left for designers, illustrators, animators and inventors to enter this year’s Kelvyn Gardner License This! competition at Brand Licensing Europe. It’s an incredible opportunity to get a foot in the door of the $292 billion global licensing industry.

There are three award categories available to enter this year:

  • Character & Animation
  • Brand & Design
  • Product Design using Aardman Animations’ Morph as inspiration

The competition is totally free to enter, and the three winners will receive promotional space at Brand Licensing Europe 2022, valuable advice from industry experts, and annual membership of trade association Licensing International and sustainability education hub Products of Change.

Entries close on 11 October.

Hasbro, Science Museum, and Aardman among Brand Licensing Europe 2021 line-up

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MGA Entertainment, Hasbro Consumer Products, Mattel Brands, and the Science Museum Group are among the names confirmed to be exhibiting at this year’s Brand Licensing Europe as the industry readies to meet face-to-face once again at ExCeL London this November.

With just over four months until the in-person return of the London licensing event, the show’s organiser has detailed the first wave of exhibitors confirmed to take part in the trade event this year, spanning a range of countries and categories, from TV production and movie studios, to leaders in the toy space.

Confirmed exhibitors include The Smurfs, Magic Light Pictures, Crunchyroll, Asterix, and Aardman, alongside the likes of Sanrio, SEGA, National Basketball Association, and Gallimard Jeunesse. They join a roster of high profile toy companies who each continue to build on their global franchises through consumer products and licensing. These include Hasbro, Mattel, and MGA Entertainment.

Anna Knight, VP of Licensing, Informa Markets, said: “We are thrilled that BLE will return in-person this year. The support we’ve received from the industry has been amazing, proving that there is a genuine desire for the brand licensing community to reconnect face-to-face once more.

“We are delighted to welcome so many exhibitors already, including GO-N and The Scouts Store who will be new to the floor for 2021, and a wide range of European brands returning including Sophie La Girafe, FC Barcelona, Sagoo, Spain Licensing Pavilion, Tour de France and many more.”

Yana Esieva, Junior PR Manager, Masha and the Bear, said: “We are extremely happy Brand Licensing Europe will gather us in person again! This tough year made us realise the importance of in-person connections and communication, and now we’re anxiously waiting to reconnect face-to-face with our industry friends and partners.”

The exhibitor list is available to view on the BLE website, here.