Tag Archives: news

Asgard Media appoints Robyn Cowling as its Head of Strategic Partnerships

Posted on by

Asgard Media, the licensing consultancy business launched by Kelvyn Gardner, has tapped Robyn Cowling has its new head of strategic partnerships as the company looks towards ‘a bright future’, following Kelvyn’s passing earlier this year.

Formerly the licensing director at Underground Toys (acquired by Funko), Cowling brings with her over ten years of experience in the licensing space, as well as a wealth of knowledge in the pop culture and trends space. With a proven track record, she is a popular member of the licensing industry who is passionate about products.

Cowling was selected for the role at Asgard Media for the ‘values she embodies’ as well as her commitment to growing the business in collaboration with clients and licensors in a ‘profitable and sustainable way’ by encouraging them to connect, build and nurture relationships.

“In particular, I’m looking forward to combining my commercial knowledge and product development expertise to deliver new, exciting licensed ranges and products to the FMCG and gift sectors,” said Cowling. “Asgard represents clients in a broad range of sectors including craft gin and cakes – what’s not to love?!

“I’m keen to prove worthy of the support which Kelvyn’s family have shown me by guiding our existing clients into exploring different genres and adding to our strong portfolio with new strategic partners.”

Kelvyn Gardner created Asgard Media as a new consultancy business in 1998 after his success with Merlin Publishing, which was founded by Kelvyn and three colleagues in 1989. During the ’90s, Merlin Publishing became the fastest-growing private company in the United Kingdom, winning the coveted Price Waterhouse Top 100 in 1995. Merlin’s growth was rooted in Kelvyn’s work getting the essential licenses that brought that success. For the next 20 years, Kelvyn marketed hundreds of licensed products worldwide.

Over that time, Kelvyn also filled the role of managing director of Licensing International UK, helping the industry for more than ten years ending in 2020.

Michelle Gardner, director at Asgard Media, said: “Kelvyn’s sudden passing on the 26th of January this year hit us hard. Of course this meant a decision as to whether we continued in licensing. However a desire to look after our lovely clients led us to carry on, although without Kelvyn at the helm this was a daunting prospect.

“Advice from good friends within the industry led us to David Berry of Interim Licensing Management. David has done a fantastic job guiding us through the licensing maze, getting Asgard Media back on track at what has been a challenging time. We could not have asked for a better helping hand in the interim whilst we looked to engage someone permanently. Now seven months on, we are happy to announce Robyn Cowling’s appointment as Head of Strategic Partnerships for Asgard Media.”

Kelvyn’s children, Eliot and Regan, added: “Our dad created Asgard Media especially to provide a range of independent consultancy services and strategic advice to the licensing business sector. We grew up around licensing, and knowing that Asgard will continue to be a part of the vibrant industry he loved so much means the world to us. Having Robyn on board really makes us ready for an electric future.”

Alongside this exciting appointment, as part of their growth strategy, Asgard will be expanding its portfolio. You can now ‘summon the power of Asgard’ by contacting Robyn at:

Robyn Cowling: 07958 029 326

rc@asgardmedia.com

Fanattik names Get-Well Gamers its charity partner for 2022

Posted on by

The pop culture specialist, Fanattik, has named the gaming charity, Get-Well Gamers as its charity partner until the end of 2022. The partnership has been struck up as the firm’s means of ‘giving back to the community that has supported it since launch.’

Established in 2007, Fanattik has been developing film and gaming collectables for the geek culture market for the past 14 years. Its partnership with Get-Well Gamers not only reflects its appreciation for audience that has helped its success, but the role gaming plays with mental health improvement.

“Every member of staff at Fanattik HQ is a gamer, and we’re a multi-generational team, with some of us growing up with Atari’s and Amiga’s, and some growing up with PlayStations and Xboxes. We all recognise the importance of the problem-solving, hand-eye coordination, and mental health improvement that comes with gaming, so supporting a gaming charity like Get-Well Gamers, was a no-brainer,” said Fanttik’s MD, Anthony Marks.

Get-Well Gamers was founded in 2016 and provides recycled consoles and games to hospitals, hospices and other healthcare settings, where children may have long hospital stays, or are in circumstances in which recreational activities can be beneficial. They are currently linked up with almost 200 hospitals and organisations across the UK.

Fanattik is the licensee for many gaming franchises including Resident Evil, Sea of Thieves, Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, Banjo-Kazooie, Doom, Cuphead, and more. The team’s ranges of gaming gifts from 24k gold plated collectibles to limited edition pin badges can be found on sale at all levels of the European gift trade from HMV to Hamleys.

Fanattik is also an award-winning gift company, being crowned the North West Business of the Year awarded by the Federation of Small Business in 2020, their SpongeBob SquarePants bottle opener has been nominated for Gift Of the Year by the British Gift Association for 2021.

Get-Well Gamers were recently the subject of a BBC short film about the important work that they do, which you can watch here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p072wh7k.

ARTiSTORY secures exclusive partnership with Dunhuang Culture and Tourism Group

Posted on by

ARTiSTORY has entered into an exclusive partnership with Dunhuang Culture and Tourism Group that will enable the pair to work to establish a new licensing programme for key markets such as North America, the EMEA, and Asia.

This historical, multi-year partnership is one of the firsts of its kind for a Chinese cultural IP to be licensed to global retailers and consumer brands outside China.

Dunhuang Inspiration, an art and cultural brand established by Dunhuang Culture & Tourism Group will be operating this licensing programme with ARTiSTORY. Based upon the city of Dunhuang’s abundant cultural and tourist resources, DCTG holds the exclusive operation rights to the city’s well treasured cultural heritage sites. 

The city of Dunhuang sits at a unique position along the historical Silk Road. Lying by the Gobi Desert and north of the Mingsha Sand Dunes, Dunhuang was an essential resting point for travellers passing between East and West one thousand years ago. The gathering of diverse people and cultures led to Dunhuang’s prosperity with great legacies such as the world-famous stucco sculptures and murals of Mogao Caves.

Dunhuang Inspiration is a brand designed with cultural creativity and vitality. It embodies DCTG’s commitment to preserve, exhibit, and stimulate appreciation for the art of Dunhuang.

Through the partnership, Dunhuang and ARTiSTORY’s global creative team will collaboratively develop original design assets under annually refreshed themes such as “Voyage of Discovery” and “The Rhythm of Dunhuang” inspired by the world-class beauty of Dunhuang. Together, Dunhuang and ARTiSTORY will create a full spectrum of IP design assets such as illustrations, prints and patterns, badges, icons, colour palettes with narratives for licensees to use via merchandising, content marketing, online and offline retailing, and immersive experiences.

This will also help global retailers and consumer brands to engage more successfully with a global audience and speed up their market penetration in China, Japan, Korea, SE Asia, and beyond. 

Sun Xiaoqiang, chairman of Dunhuang Culture and Tourism Group, said: “Dunhuang culture is so profound that it requires our lifelong time to research and pass it on to our future generations. The Group, together with ARTiSTORY, will bring refreshed narratives of Dunhuang culture to a broader range of industries, blooming more brilliant light.”

Yizan He, founder and managing director of ARTiSTORY, added: “ARTiSTORY is delighted to partner with Dunhuang Culture & Tourism Group. We look forward to enabling global retailers and consumer brands to engage shoppers more effectively with art and cultural IP and storytelling.”

Roy Lowe & Sons celebrates 25 years in the socks business

Posted on by

It was a mark of jubilation for the members and extended members of the Lowe family, who spent the past weekend celebrating a full quarter of a century in the socks business and the milestone 25th anniversary of Roy Lowe & Sons.

Founded in 1996 by brothers Tim and Martin Lowe, and named in tribute to their late father whose own sock career spanned more than 50 years, culminating with his appointment as managing director at Samuel Eden, Roy Lowe & Sons has become a go-to name in socks circles, supplying some of the biggest names in retail today.

For the past 25 years, the business has been providing licensed character and non-licensed socks to bare feet across the UK, working with high street retailers, grocers, independents, online retailers, and in recent years, directly to the consumer.

“When I left school in 1981, my old man said to me: ‘No-one else will employ you so come to the factory on Monday!’. That was the start of my affinity with socks. Because of this, I have been given the honour of never having a job interview during my working career,” said Roy Lowe.

“I have learnt a lot over the years, but I think my main lesson to pass on would have to be that the best business has always been done over a drink or five – I think Ben and Hannah are trying to emulate this!” 

Combining Tim’s technical expertise, with Martin’s in-depth knowledge of customer markets and the licensing industry has seen the company grow its reputation to be the UK leaders in licensed character socks.

“The new management structure is well covered with Steven, our Finance Director, and Phil, our Technical Director, who have been with us since the formation of the company. Then we have Ben, Kelly and Hannah who are stepping up to drive the business forward. We are very thrilled to take a back seat and watch the business grow,” said Tim.

Recounting his own time within both the licensing industry and the family business, Martin Lowe has paid tribute to the industry that ‘made socks fun’ over the years.

“I am proud to say that I have made friends for life; David and Nigel from Aykroyds and Tim at TDP to name but a few…” he said. “And of course, the sock monkeys who I have worked with over the years – thank you for your valuable time. It is great looking back at what we have achieved.

“When we started licensing at Eden’s we were in the top three in the Disney royalty stream. At Lowe’s we have worked on so many different deals, signing Harry Potter, currently coming up to a 20 year partnership with Peppa and Nickelodeon, and of course the numerous agencies all with their own unique selling points.

“Fundraising for The Light Fund was always a pleasure, Deannie Doo, Radda and myself started with the ‘tri-sockle’ biking from Mansfield to the licensing awards in London. As most blokes who become MAMIL’s (Middle Aged Men in Lycra), know that lycra tends to flatten certain bits out. We decided over a boozy lunch to enhance said certain parts by using large carrots as props. Needless to say, we were getting a few gasps of appreciation from the front tables! 

“Can I say it’s been an absolute pleasure, and if you haven’t argued or fallen out with me at some point, you weren’t doing your job correctly.”

Ben Lowe, now part of the third generation of Lowes to succeed in the socks business, said: “We Lowe children were told repeatedly since we were young that we were not to go into socks; clearly Kelly, Hannah and I failed to listen!

“From my first week at work in Las Vegas, where I received a warning on my first day for being late… it has certainly been a learning curve on socks, licensing and drinking. I think I speak on behalf of the whole company (past and present employees) when I say how proud we are of what Tim and Martin have achieved over their careers, and over the last 25 years with Roy Lowe & Sons.

“What an incredible tribute to Grandpa, and one that lives testament to his name and reputation. Here’s to the next 25 years of Roy Lowe & Sons!”

The Gruffalo’s Child plots new ‘enchanting trail’ through Kew Gardens this autumn

Posted on by

The Gruffalo’s Child is plotting a new and ‘enchanting trail’ through the gardens of the popular Sussex heritage site, Kew this autumn, through a new partnership between Magic Light Pictures and Kew’s Royal Botanic Gardens.

Adventurous visitors will encounter much-loved characters from author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler’s book, including, Fox, Owl, Snake, The Gruffalo, the Gruffalo’s Child and of course, the Big Bad Mouse. At Kew Gardens, intrepid explorers of all ages are invited to enjoy a trail across the Gardens, beginning at Brentford Gate, snaking through Kew’s Rhododendron Dell and concluding at the Children’s Garden.

Throughout their wild journey, visitors will collect clues to cultivate their curiosity in their search for The Gruffalo’s Child and other characters. As part of their adventure, young visitors will get the chance to play and explore in Kew Gardens’ striking natural landscapes – home to 14,000 trees – and become immersed in the world of The Gruffalo’s Child, brought to life with stunning planting which replicates the snow-covered landscape of the book.

As well as the Gruffalo’s Child trail, Kew Gardens’ stunning autumn landscape boasts canopies bursting with autumnal colours, and visitors can also learn more about seasonal produce in Kew’s Kitchen Garden, home to a harvest of beetroots, carrots and pumpkins.

Meanwhile, Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden in Sussex, will also host its own trail, taking in Bethlehem Woods and a Tree Trunk Trek. Admission to the Gruffalo’s Child Trail is included with entry to the gardens, which can be pre-booked. Activities on offer at Wakehurst include ‘Make a Stick Buddy’ and a dedicated Gruffalo’s Child workshop trail, as well as a Creative Cookery Camp.

Both Kew Gardens and Wakehurst will be open early for members on selected dates between 16th to the 31st October, full details are available here.

Sandra Botterell, director of marketing and commercial enterprise at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew said: “We are delighted to be welcoming The Gruffalo’s Child to Kew this autumn, allowing intrepid visitors to immerse themselves in the magic of Donaldson and Scheffler’s beloved imaginative world.

“This new adventure for 2021 promises to be one for all of the family to enjoy, particularly against the stunning botanical backdrops of both Kew and Wakehurst in the autumn.”

Daryl Shute, brand director at Magic Light Pictures, added: “It is so wonderful to enter a second year of this partnership with Kew. Their site and ethos make the perfect home for The Gruffalo’s Child – a young, curious character who is discovering her environment, adventuring bravely and engaging with nature. Following the success of The Gruffalo Adventures they hosted last year, we know it will be a great activity.”

Hasbro partners with Rubber Road to launch merchandise range based on its hit global franchises

Posted on by

Hasbro has tapped the pop culture merchandise specialist, Rubber Road and its design arm, Numskull Designs, to develop, manufacture, and distribute a wide range of official merchandise based on some of the toy maker’s biggest franchises.

Rubber Road has made a name for itself as a producer of quality merchandise for movie, toy, gaming, and TV brands. Its portfolio consists of official products for fans and collectors of some of the world’s biggest names in pop culture, including Minions, Harry Potter, DC Comics, Sonic the Hedgehog and more.

In its new partnership with Hasbro, Rubber Road’s Numskull Designs team will introduce a range of products based on some of the global toy maker’s most notable global franchises, including Transformers, Power Rangers, Dungeons & Dragons, NERF, and My Little Pony.

Liam Taylor, commercial director and ‘Dungeons & Dragons fan’ at Rubber Road, said: “We are thrilled to be teaming up with Hasbro to work with some of the world’s best names in toys. With a Transformers movie coming up in 2022 and a resurgence in Dungeons & Dragons, we are excited to be producing some fantastic merchandise that will appeal to fans old and new, big kids and little kids.”

According to a press release issued by the team, ‘fans are going to love celebrating their favourite toys with this eclectic range that is super cool, fun, useful and collectible spanning many of Rubber Road’s categories: *TUBBZ Cosplaying Collectible Figures, wireless charging mats, Nintendo Switch cases, lamps, statues, pin badges, sunglasses and sweaters.’

Rubber Road already works with leading global brands in entertainment including Universal, Warner Bros, Netflix, Xbox, Sony Playstation, SEGA, so Hasbro is in outstanding company and a most welcome addition to this impressive portfolio of partners.

Magic Light Pictures partners with lifestyle brand Joules for exclusive The Gruffalo collection

Posted on by

Magic Light Pictures is partnering with the premium lifestyle brand, Joules, for the launch of an exclusive collection of Gruffalo clothing and accessories for babies and toddlers. The new collection will launch in Joules stores and online mid-September.

The range features colourful apparel and accessories for babies and children up to six years old. Part of the Better Cotton Initiative, Joules’ range uses organically grown cotton for its items, spanning jackets, boots, hats, gloves, and bags adorned with the Gruffalo’s terrible teeth, tusks, and purple prickles.

The collection will also feature t-shirts, tops, leggings, dresses and jackets featuring vibrant images of The Gruffalo, Mouse, Fox, Owl and Snake, and patterns inspired by the deep, dark wood.

Daryl Shute, brand director at Magic Light Pictures, said: “We are delighted to launch this new licensing collaboration with Joules. As a contemporary country loving brand who share our values they are the perfect partners to capture the spirit and charm of The Gruffalo and this really comes across in this wonderful collection.

The team’s unrivalled attention to detail in delivering fun and quality for families has created fabulously stylish and quirky lines that we are sure kids are going to love wearing. We hope that our partnership will continue for many more such covetable collections.”

Josie Will, licensing manager at Joules, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Magic Light Pictures to create this enchanting new Gruffalo-inspired range. He is such a treasured character for families all over the world and we love him too – the story really chimes with our own rural roots and the way we take inspiration from nature.”

The launch will be supported by Joules’ online market place ‘Friends of Joules’, where you can discover a carefully curated selection of additional Gruffalo merchandise from the brand’s partner sellers.

Created by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, The Gruffalo is a modern classic children’s story that has been published in 105 languages. Magic Light’s award-winning animation has been seen in more than 185 countries since its launch on BBC One on Christmas Day 2009, which attracted 10 million viewers.

Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go pulls into Channel5’s Milkshake this November

Posted on by

Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go – a new, vibrantly refreshed, 2D animated series following the iconic Thomas the Tank Engine – is pulling into Channel 5’s Milkshake on Monday, November 8th this year.

Produced by Mattel Television in partnership with Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana Studio, the new series is a major reimagining of the classic Thomas & Friends franchise and the fourth ever major revamp for the world famous kids’ animated show in its 75 year history.

The new series follows Thomas, more playful and relatable than ever before, as the hero of his own adventure. Thomas strives to be the Number One Tank Engine through trial and error, all while just enjoying being a kid.

According to Mattel, highlights of Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go include a greater range of character expressiveness, more physical comedy and music, and core characters that are now kids themselves and voiced by British child actors. The show has been ‘crafted to appeal to contemporary audiences’ sensibilities while maintaining Thomas’ core message about the value of friendship.’

 Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go incorporates 26 social-emotional, cognitive, and physical life lessons throughout the series, including friendship, taking turns, teamwork, self-help, and empathy.

Four additional engines make up the core cast of characters:

•Percy – Thomas’ best friend who loves telling silly jokes, Percy has a lot of hidden courage (that not even he’s aware of!) and will do anything to help his friends. 

•Nia – Nia is an engine who loves a good plan, offering both creative and practical solutions. Because Nia is so well travelled, she often has valuable insight into things the other engines haven’t seen before.

•Diesel – Diesel is always trying to one-up Thomas and inadvertently causes trouble for everyone in his quest to be “the real Number One Tank Engine.”

•Kana – An all-new electric high-speed rail train, she is fast talking, loves to race and creates gusts of wind that blow windmills and bend trees in her wake.

 Fred Soulie, senior vice president and general manager, Mattel Television, said: “This new creative direction for the classic Thomas & Friends franchise is crafted to appeal to contemporary audiences, yet still maintain the beloved characters’ core ethos: the value of friendship. Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go features stories that are both timeless and timely, with themes that will resonate with children, parents and caregivers alike.” 

Christopher Keenan, senior vice president, global content and executive producer, Mattel Television, added: “We can’t wait for the next generation of fans to meet Thomas and his friends. In Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go, we aim for audiences to have fun as we expand the world of Sodor in new and exciting ways. For the better part of the last decade, I’ve had the privilege of working on the Thomas & Friends television series and I’ve seen first-hand how Thomas and his core message about the value of friendship inspire a broad audience – children, parents and caregivers alike. These stories are both timeless and timely, with themes that continue to resonate with kids today.”

 Kelly Philp, director of marketing, Mattel UK, said: “Thomas & Friends has 92 per cent brand awareness in the UK, so we are looking forward to exciting our Thomas fans new and old with all the fun and adventure of the show’s new approach.

“The singable songs and endless laughs have already tested well with our pre-school audience and Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go will be a great tool for parents and caregivers too, due to the integrated life lessons and values that are incorporated within the content.”

 Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go will premiere on Channel 5 Milkshake on November 8th. In the UK, the series will be preceded by a new 60-minute animated motion picture, Thomas & Friends: Race for the Sodor Cup™, showing at Vue and Odeon cinemas throughout the UK from Friday, September 17th, which will be the first time that children and parents can see the new-look and feel Thomas & Friends before it hits television screens later in the year.

Rocket Licensing welcomes brace of new UK licensees for The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Posted on by

The popular preschool property, The Very Hungry Caterpillar is expanding its presence in the toys, role-play, and party space this year thanks to renewed and extended ranges from its master toy partner, Rainbow Designs, as well as product launches from Smiffys, and the Great British Teepee Company.

Play teepees, mats, and cushions all based on Eric Carle’s iconic The Very Hungry Caterpillar are among just some of the newest licensed products to making their way to the UK’s retail space this year, as Rocket Licensing continues to extend the consumer product reach for the hit preschool IP.

The Great British Teepee Company joins a list of new partners, including Findel Education, DNC and Gullivers Theme Park Resorts to embark on new and expansive ventures with the Eric Carle property through partnerships secured by Rocket Licensing, the UK licensing agency.

A range of play teepees, mats, and cushions will launch via the Great British Teepee Company’s eCommerce site and its flagship store this autumn, while Findel Education will introduce a range of educational resources for nurseries and early Childhood centres.

Products featuring the wiggly character are set to include story stones, a storytelling scene and an outdoor board in an international deal covering the UK, Europe, Africa and Asia.

DNC UK Ltd are newly signed for a broad range of homeware items including lunch bags and containers, tableware, hydration and drinkware, cutlery and baby food coolers. With broad distribution across grocery, independent specialist stores, online and mass market, an initial product range is in development to launch in Q1 2022.

Finally, the new experiential partner Gullivers Theme Parks has recently launched its theme park branded activities including character costume appearances and even The Very Hungry Caterpillar accommodation for families to stay overnight in their very own cocoons. The attractions will feature at two of the theme parks’ sites – Gulliver’s Land (Dinosaur and Farm Park) in Milton Keynes, and Gulliver’s Valley South Yorkshire – and there are plans to further develop these activities for next year.

Louisa Skevington, licensing executive, Rocket Licensing, said: “It’s an honour to have these four new partners on board for The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Each a best in class player in their own industry, the new deals take the property into new areas, offering exciting new products and experiences for fans in the UK and beyond.

“The Very Hungry Caterpillar has enjoyed great success with experiential campaigns over recent years, including our award-winning partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society in 2019 and successful partnership with ZSL London Zoo earlier this summer, so we’re excited to extend that into the theme park arena too. Meanwhile the range from Findel will satisfy a growing demand among Early Years settings for The Very Hungry Caterpillar related learning and play activities.”

As well as the new partnerships, Rocket Licensing’s existing portfolio of licensees for The Very Hungry Caterpillar have been busy creating fresh products.

Master Toy partner, Rainbow Designs, is launching a refresh of its wooden toy collection this autumn, while Dennicci offered its biggest ever babywear range for spring/summer this year, with up to 20 SKUs launching across grocery retail. Further extensive babywear ranges are now planned for autumn/winter 2021 and spring/summer 2022.

In addition to this, MORI, which launched its inaugural eight-piece The Very Hungry Caterpillar babywear range in February this year – will be building upon the collection’s success with a relaunch of three of bestsellers: the Zip-Up Sleepsuit, Long Sleeve T-Shirt and Printed Pyjamas, as well as the launch of two new sweatshirts this autumn.

Smiffy’s is working on a new The Very Hungry Caterpillar range of paper partyware using the brand’s new Love Your Planet style guide. Meanwhile Robert Frederick launched its new Little Gardener’s Range in May, including Paint Your Own Pots, Paint Your Own Butterfly House, and Garden Tool Set.

Louisa added: “It’s incredible to see so many new lines launching from our brilliant partners. Consumers have been turning to heritage and nostalgic brands during these uncertain times, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a firm favourite across generations over 50 years since it was first published.

“All of our partners create on-brand, bespoke, beautiful products which appeal to a range of ages and these new lines are no exception.”

BLE 2021 brings Licensing International’s Licensing U to European audiences for the first time

Posted on by

Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) in partnership with industry trade association Licensing International, is launching Licensing U for Europe, a ‘one-stop-shop’ education programme about the $292bn licensing industry for newcomers and experienced professionals.

Licensing U will take on a fully virtual format with the content being available to view on demand for three months from 22 November 2021 allowing delegates to engage with and return to the content at a time that best suits them. Early bird discounts are available from now until 8 October.

The content, which has proved to be a popular staple of Licensing Expo’s programme over the past few years, will bring the same three tracks to its UK debut in November, offering insight into the topics and trends impacting the brand licensing universe.

Topics range from the ‘Basics of international licensing’ and ‘What you need to know about royalty rates’, to ‘Working with agents and consultants’.

The three content tracks are:

  1. Basics of Licensing: Designed for licensing newcomers and those interested in learning more about the industry, Licensing U’s ‘Basics’ track offers an introduction to how the licensing business works, contracts and other legal basics, royalty rates, style guides, retail development and more.
  2. Spotlights: Licensing professionals are invited to take a deeper dive into key industry segments with Licensing U’s ‘Spotlights’. The sessions will focus on specific areas such as art and design, corporate brands, celebrities and influencers, sports, entertainment, collaborations, and location-based entertainment.
  3. Tactics and Strategies: Aimed at the more seasoned licensing professionals, Licensing U’s ‘Tactics and Strategies’ track features more advanced sessions and will tackle some of the latest topics and trends impacting today’s licensing industry, including eSports, NFTs and more.

Anna Knight, VP of Licensing, Informa Markets, said: “It is always a pleasure to partner with Licensing International and we are thrilled to bring Licensing U to European delegates this November. It is such a distinctive time for our industry when continued education is paramount, providing much-needed refresher courses for practiced professionals and serving as a gateway into the exciting world of licensing for those starting their journey.”

Maura Regan, President, Licensing International, added: “Licensing U has been the content cornerstone of Licensing Expo and we are excited to bring this programming to BLE. Relevant, timely information sessions combined with recognised industry leaders offer resources to help licensing professionals at all levels of their careers. Licensing U is a trusted resource designed to serve the licensing industry.”

Attendees can take advantage of the early bird discount by booking before October 8. Licensing International members benefit from an additional 10 per cent discount.