Licensing International and Octane5 name participants in global mentoring programme

The first group of mentors and mentees in the Licensing International Mentoring Program have been paired. Launched by Licensing International and sponsor Octane5 in January, this year-long effort marks the industry’s first ever global mentoring programme and is aimed at bringing the expertise of global licensing veterans to young professionals.

Participants in this year’s programme come from companies spanning multiple categories and territories, including Acamar, Beanstalk Licensing, Bulldog Licensing, Discovery, Holy Joe, Jazwares, NASCAR, Paramount, Penguin Random House, Redbubble, Rocket Licensing and SEGA. The Licensing International Mentoring Program will initially focus on regions including the US, the UK, France, Germany, and Japan.

Mentoring is a powerful personal development and empowerment tool. In addition to allowing mentees to build skills and knowledge while working to attain their career goals, the programme also provides an opportunity for mentors to further enhance their expertise through exposure to fresh perspectives.

In addition to sponsoring the mentoring programme, Octane5 is expanding its partnership with Licensing International to sponsor the Licensing International Young Professionals Network (YPN). YPN is designed to help brand licensing professionals under the age of 35 to expand their skills, network, and horizons with free educational and social events. The 2022 YPN calendar kicked off on March 31 in London, with more events coming soon to New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas.

“We are so excited to partner with Octane5 and appreciate their support of both the Mentoring and YPN programmes,” says Maura Regan, President of Licensing International. “Mentoring is a powerful tool that has the potential to transform the licensing industry, and both of these programmes provide opportunities for growth, development, and the building of meaningful connections.”

“Over 20 years ago, my brother Matt and I learned about licensing the way so many others do, by working and depending on industry veterans for advice,” says Mike Dunn, Co-Founder and Co-President of Octane5.  “We love licensing – it’s an energetic, dynamic industry with so many great people who are willing to help the next generation. We are especially proud to play a part in helping others learn and grow.”

Licensing International launches global mentoring programme

In honour of National Mentoring Month, the leading trade organisation for the global licensing industry, Licensing International, and its sponsor Octane5, have announced today the licensing industry’s first ever global mentoring programme, aimed at bringing the expertise of global industry veterans to young professionals.

With an initial focus on regions including the United States, UK, France, Germany, Japan and China, industry professionals and Licensing International members can sign up to join the programme directly at LicensingInternational.org beginning today. Following sign-up, participants will be matched up by Licensing International with their mentor or mentee through the programme.

Licensing International’s new programme will allow mentees to build skills and knowledge while working toward attaining career goals. At the same time, it will provide an opportunity for mentors to further enhance skills and knowledge areas through exposure to fresh perspectives.

Most importantly, the Licensing International Mentoring Program aims to bring value and career growth to licensing experts of all levels across a multitude of businesses and categories. Participating mentees will have an opportunity to gain wisdom from an experienced professional, while mentors have the chance to invest in an up-and-coming professional who can benefit from their skilled guidance.

“Knowledge sharing and mentoring are such powerful tools that have the potential to transform lives, and so we knew as industry leaders we wanted to create a platform to encourage just that,” says Maura Regan, President of Licensing International. “Our mentorship programme will not only build meaningful connections between longstanding professionals and young newcomers, but also offer important opportunities for growth and development.”

“When we connected with Licensing International to sponsor the upcoming mentorship programme, we were delighted to be able to facilitate connections between professionals in our industry,” says Mike Dunn, Co-Founder and President of Octane5. “Partnering with Licensing International allows us to offer a space where professionals new and old can form working relationships that otherwise wouldn’t be possible.”

For more information, visit LicensingInternational.org or contact Licensing International SVP, Global Partnerships, Gisela Abrams at gabrams@licensing.org.

Octane5 to talk brand staying power in latest webinar with Caterpillar

Octane5 is preparing to dive into the weeds with the corporate licensing powerhouse Caterpillar this month, in the fourth instalment of its ongoing webinar series of fireside discussions with leading names and brands across the licensing industry. The series kicked off in May this year as a means to maintain communication throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

On Thursday, August 20th, Octane5 will be joined by Kenny Beaupre, brand advocacy and licensing manager at Caterpillar to tackle topics including just how an industrial equipment company become one of the most recognisable and powerful brands in licensing.

Caterpillar is the recent recipient of a 2020 Licensing International Excellence Award, taking home the win in the Corporate Brand category. Topics up for discussion will include, what gives a brand staying power? How do some brands get permission from their fans to move from their core permission naturally? And what does it take to run a world-class licensing programme?

Also joining the webinar will be Linne Kimball, VP Strategic Partnerships at The Life is Good Company, sharing how Life is Good leverages licensing to help vulnerable kids.

“We’re all working and communicating differently this year and the team at Octane5 has tried to support our remote work environment with educational offerings,” said a representative from Octane5.

“In May, Octane5 started their free monthly webinar series to provide insights into some area of licensing best practices. The August webinar features Kenny Beaupre, head of licensing at Caterpillar, to talk about building a powerhouse brand.”

For more info on Octane5 webinars, check out their LinkedIn page, www.Octane5.com or email info@octane5.com to be added to their mailing list of upcoming webinars.

Octane5 to talk brand staying power in latest webinar with Caterpillar

Octane5 is preparing to dive into the weeds with the corporate licensing powerhouse Caterpillar this month, in the fourth instalment of its ongoing webinar series of fireside discussions with leading names and brands across the licensing industry. The series kicked off in May this year as a means to maintain communication throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.

On Thursday, August 20th, Octane5 will be joined by Kenny Beaupre, brand advocacy and licensing manager at Caterpillar to tackle topics including just how an industrial equipment company become one of the most recognisable and powerful brands in licensing.

Caterpillar is the recent recipient of a 2020 Licensing International Excellence Award, taking home the win in the Corporate Brand category. Topics up for discussion will include, what gives a brand staying power? How do some brands get permission from their fans to move from their core permission naturally? And what does it take to run a world-class licensing programme?

Also joining the webinar will be Linne Kimball, VP Strategic Partnerships at The Life is Good Company, sharing how Life is Good leverages licensing to help vulnerable kids.

“We’re all working and communicating differently this year and the team at Octane5 has tried to support our remote work environment with educational offerings,” said a representative from Octane5.

“In May, Octane5 started their free monthly webinar series to provide insights into some area of licensing best practices. The August webinar features Kenny Beaupre, head of licensing at Caterpillar, to talk about building a powerhouse brand.”

For more info on Octane5 webinars, check out their LinkedIn page, www.Octane5.com or email info@octane5.com to be added to their mailing list of upcoming webinars.