It’s like the old Funko strapline says: Everybody’s a fan of something. It’s no secret that adult fandom has become an increasingly important market to the toy industry and pop culture scene in general, but – with limited shelf space among retailers – just how can brands and manufacturers cater …
Read More »Six finalists revealed in this year’s all virtual License This! awards
The weeks are drawing in to the start of this year’s all-virtual Festival of Licensing, and with it the ever popular License This! final is undergoing its preparations to crown the winners of the 2020 offering. Six brand designers have been shortlisted for this year’s final, with just a couple …
Read More »Licensing chatter: 10 questions with Start Licensing’s Ian Downes
In these unprecedented times for the global community, it’s nice to keep connected – and for an industry as reliant on peer to peer networking as the licensing business, maintaining those connections with our industry colleagues is paramount. That’ why Licensing.biz is kicking off a new series of interviews to …
Read More »Popular licensing four take on Thames Bridge Challenge in HikeForCal fundraiser
Popular licensing executives Ian Downes, Paul Bufton, Simon Gresswell, and Chris Isitt will take on the Thames Bridges Challenge this September walking together for Mind in memory of Ian’s son, Calum, who passed away in 2015 aged 19. The event will see the team cross every London bridge, starting at …
Read More »Mojo Nation and Start Licensing launch global licensing event Brands Untapped
A two-day experiential brand showcase, Brands Untapped will see specially invited guests experience 25 exciting brands, each of which are on the lookout for licensing partnerships across a wide range of categories.
Read More »Start Licensing’s Ian Downes joins toy and game design body Mojo Nation as non-executive director
Downes will add valuable licensing expertise to the company and in the role, provide key oversight and initiative to Mojo Nation’s existing portfolio of events, including the Play Creators Festival.
Read More »The refined palate of food and drink brand licensing with Start Licensing’s Ian Downes
The Start Licensing director sits down for an in depth chat with Licensing.biz about the industry's newly refined palette for food and drink brands.
Read More »BLE 2018: “If I don’t do this, who will?” Nadiya Hussain on licensing life after The Great British Bake Off
In a candid conversation with Start Licensing’s Ian Downes and UBM’s Jessica Blue, Hussain detailed the moment she realised that what she was bringing to the world of cooking and licensing “was presenting an important message to the world.”
Read More »Ian Downes’ 24 hour HikeForCal challenge raises over £6,400 for UK charity Mind
Downes and Warner Bros' Paul Bufton hiked 40 miles across Cornwall as they and Sanrio's Simon Gresswell raise money for the mental health charity Mind.
Read More »HikeForCal industry effort ‘well on target’ to hit £5k fundraising for mental health charity Mind
A two-hour walk around South London, WalkForCal raised £2750, over half the target set by Start Licensing’s Ian Downes, Warner Bros’ Paul Bufton and Sanrio’s Simon Gresswell ahead of their 24-hour walking challenge in September.
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