Licensing Expo heads to Las Vegas with 170+ exhibitors and growing

Licensing Expo is gearing up to host what promises to be the consumer product industry’s most productive in-person get together in three years, with a growing roster of brands signing on daily to exhibit at the in-person event to be held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV, May 24-26, 2022.

Produced in partnership with industry trade association Licensing International, the event continues to lock in cross-category brands from around the world, from sports to gaming, entertainment, corporate brands and artists, with 17 countries represented to-date.

With 40 new companies confirmed in the past four weeks alone, the event now comprises more than 170 exhibitors signed on to date. The exhibitor list is now available online and is accessible here.

“Licensing Expo returns in-person for the first time since 2019, and excitement among the industry is palpable,” says Anna Knight, SVP of Licensing, Informa Markets. “This is a business-critical time in the calendar for brands, manufacturers and retailers alike – they’re coming with a pen in hand ready to ink new deals and discover the new trends that will line their shelves in the coming years, but also to reconnect in-person possibly for the first time since the pandemic.”

Commenting on Licensing Expo’s return, Knight also remarked: “The licensing industry is built on relationships, and we’re delighted to be able to provide a safe and comfortable environment for people to reconnect, strengthen existing partnerships, celebrate successes and do business at scale face-to-face for the first time in three years. We’re also extremely excited to showcase Location-Based Experiences as the event’s theme, creating even more opportunities for brands to engage and inspire attendees in new ways.”

The event is on track to showcase brands from all major and emerging categories, including character and entertainment, fashion and apparel, gaming and eSports, FMCG, attractions and theme parks, sports, art and design, non-profits, and museums.

Latest exhibitors confirmed include Banijay Brands, Legendary Entertainment, Hasbro, MGA Entertainment, Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Epic Story Media, Mattel, NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures Consumer Products, Lego, Joester Loria Group, Beanstalk, Buzzfeed, The Pokémon Company, Falcon’s Beyond, TOHO, Bravado, Zag, Ubisoft, Wildbrain CPLG, NFL Players Association, Shell Oil Company, Crunchyroll, Buzzfeed, Games Workshop, Jazwares, King Features, WWE, Moonbug Entertainment, Peanuts Worldwide, BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America, Frida Kahlo, Yale University, MGM Studios, Spin Master, BBC Studios, Crayola Properties, and many more.

“Excitingly, we’re seeing a robust selection of brands represented from across the globe, including Europe, the U.K., Japan, South America and the U.S.,” Anna Knight says. “We’re taking every measure possible to ensure non-domestic exhibitors and attendees are fully equipped with the latest health and safety measures in place, in addition to providing logistical information that will simplify international travel to Las Vegas.”

Thousands of retailers and manufacturers have already secured their free ticket to attend and meet with these brands, including Amazon, AMC Theatres, Bioworld, Build-a-Bear Workshop, Concept One Accessories, Difuzed, Funko, GAP, Hallmark Cards, Hot Topic, It’Sugar, Jakks Pacific, Jazwares, Kellogg’s, Macy’s, Moose Toys, Old Navy, Pacsun, Paladone Products, Primark, Spin Master, Zulily and many more. Attendance to Licensing Expo is free and tickets can be secured here.

LICENSING EXPO: Networking and content timetable revealed

A packed programme of in-person networking events and live content has been confirmed for Licensing Expo this May.

Licensing Expo, which is run in partnership with industry trade association Licensing International, is the world’s largest licensing trade show and takes place at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas from May 24-26, 2022. Online registration is free and open now.

Celebrations will kick off on the evening of Monday, May 23, with the unveiling of this year’s Licensing International Excellence Awards winners. The awards will take place at Light, with free entry from 5:30 pm.

Tuesday, May 24, will see doors open at 9:00 am for the first day of Licensing Expo, with the official Opening Night Party taking place later that evening. The party will be hosted at Daylight outdoor beach club from 5:30 pm till late and is free to attend for the first time ever. Finally, exhibitors are invited to join informal drinks at the Eyecandy Sound Lounge and Bar on Wednesday evening.

Licensing Expo will also host two special in-person keynotes at midday on Tuesday and Wednesday, with Wednesday’s keynote spotlighting this year’s Location-Based Experiences theme. Attendees will also benefit from the return of Licensing International’s acclaimed Licensing U programme, sustainability sessions delivered by Products of Change and the live finale of the License This! Competition on Thursday, May 26.  Further details will be confirmed over the coming weeks.

Additional content and networking opportunities will also be available via the Licensing Expo official online platform. Opening on April 11, the platform is accessible pre-, during and post-show to browse exhibiting brands and IPs, see who’s attending, view exclusive content and schedule meetings to take place both in-person in Las Vegas and online post-event until June 3.

“The licensing industry is a very sociable community and the lack of opportunity to connect face to face has had a real negative impact on our attendees’ ability to make meaningful connections and drive business. We’re planning to set this right at Licensing Expo in May and have a wonderful programme of events lined up to reconnect people,” says Anna Knight, VP of Licensing, Informa Markets.

The extensive networking and content programme will support three days of meetings, deal-making, and trend spotting. Latest exhibitors confirmed include Bravado, Banijay Brands, Penguin Random House, Zag Studios, Jazwares, Falcon Creative, Shell, Moonbug Entertainment and many more.

After-hours and networking programme overview

Monday, May 23, 5:30-8:30 pm: Licensing International Excellence Awards sponsored by Alifish and InSpirit Designs

    • Awards from 6:00 to 7:15 pm
    • Free entrance, registration to open shortly
    • Location: Light (Mandalay Bay, 3950 S Las Vegas Blvd)
  • Tuesday, May 24, 5:30 pm-late: Licensing Expo Opening Night Party
    • First-come-first-serve attendance
    • Free to attend. All attendees MUST be registered for Licensing Expo to gain entry
    • Location: Daylight Beach Club (3950 S Las Vegas Blvd)
  • Wednesday, May 25, 5:30 to 7:30 pm: Exhibitor Drinks
    • Free to attend – available to exhibitors only
    • Location: Eyecandy Sound Lounge and Bar (inside the Mandalay Bay casino)

Keynote and content programme overview

  • Tuesday, May 24 & Wednesday, May 25 – 12:00-12:45 pm: Licensing Expo keynote presentations delivered in-person on the show floor.
  • Licensing U, presented by Licensing International, returns to the show floor with content available May 24 through May 26.
    • Tickets available for sale soon
  • Thursday, May 26, 11:00-12:00 pm: License This! Competition live finale

Maura Regan, President of Licensing International, says: “The licensing industry has adapted to drastic changes and our content this year is focused on the opportunities that exist to continue to move business forward. It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to gather together in Las Vegas and we look forward to celebrating the successes of the past year and providing a platform for networking, new partnerships and learning.”

LICENSING EXPO: Networking and content timetable revealed

A packed programme of in-person networking events and live content has been confirmed for Licensing Expo this May.

Licensing Expo, which is run in partnership with industry trade association Licensing International, is the world’s largest licensing trade show and takes place at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas from May 24-26, 2022. Online registration is free and open now.

Celebrations will kick off on the evening of Monday, May 23, with the unveiling of this year’s Licensing International Excellence Awards winners. The awards will take place at Light, with free entry from 5:30 pm.

Tuesday, May 24, will see doors open at 9:00 am for the first day of Licensing Expo, with the official Opening Night Party taking place later that evening. The party will be hosted at Daylight outdoor beach club from 5:30 pm till late and is free to attend for the first time ever. Finally, exhibitors are invited to join informal drinks at the Eyecandy Sound Lounge and Bar on Wednesday evening.

Licensing Expo will also host two special in-person keynotes at midday on Tuesday and Wednesday, with Wednesday’s keynote spotlighting this year’s Location-Based Experiences theme. Attendees will also benefit from the return of Licensing International’s acclaimed Licensing U programme, sustainability sessions delivered by Products of Change and the live finale of the License This! Competition on Thursday, May 26.  Further details will be confirmed over the coming weeks.

Additional content and networking opportunities will also be available via the Licensing Expo official online platform. Opening on April 11, the platform is accessible pre-, during and post-show to browse exhibiting brands and IPs, see who’s attending, view exclusive content and schedule meetings to take place both in-person in Las Vegas and online post-event until June 3.

“The licensing industry is a very sociable community and the lack of opportunity to connect face to face has had a real negative impact on our attendees’ ability to make meaningful connections and drive business. We’re planning to set this right at Licensing Expo in May and have a wonderful programme of events lined up to reconnect people,” says Anna Knight, VP of Licensing, Informa Markets.

The extensive networking and content programme will support three days of meetings, deal-making, and trend spotting. Latest exhibitors confirmed include Bravado, Banijay Brands, Penguin Random House, Zag Studios, Jazwares, Falcon Creative, Shell, Moonbug Entertainment and many more.

After-hours and networking programme overview

Monday, May 23, 5:30-8:30 pm: Licensing International Excellence Awards sponsored by Alifish and InSpirit Designs

    • Awards from 6:00 to 7:15 pm
    • Free entrance, registration to open shortly
    • Location: Light (Mandalay Bay, 3950 S Las Vegas Blvd)
  • Tuesday, May 24, 5:30 pm-late: Licensing Expo Opening Night Party
    • First-come-first-serve attendance
    • Free to attend. All attendees MUST be registered for Licensing Expo to gain entry
    • Location: Daylight Beach Club (3950 S Las Vegas Blvd)
  • Wednesday, May 25, 5:30 to 7:30 pm: Exhibitor Drinks
    • Free to attend – available to exhibitors only
    • Location: Eyecandy Sound Lounge and Bar (inside the Mandalay Bay casino)

Keynote and content programme overview

  • Tuesday, May 24 & Wednesday, May 25 – 12:00-12:45 pm: Licensing Expo keynote presentations delivered in-person on the show floor.
  • Licensing U, presented by Licensing International, returns to the show floor with content available May 24 through May 26.
    • Tickets available for sale soon
  • Thursday, May 26, 11:00-12:00 pm: License This! Competition live finale

Maura Regan, President of Licensing International, says: “The licensing industry has adapted to drastic changes and our content this year is focused on the opportunities that exist to continue to move business forward. It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to gather together in Las Vegas and we look forward to celebrating the successes of the past year and providing a platform for networking, new partnerships and learning.”

Entries are invited for Licensing Expo’s License This! competition

Entries are now open for Licensing Expo’s License This! competition, which aims to help designers, illustrators and animators break into the $292 billion global licensing industry.
The competition launched 12 years ago in Europe and premiered in the US in 2021 as part of Licensing Expo Virtual. This year, for the first time, the finale will take place in person in front of a live audience of manufacturers, retailers and brand owners on May 26.
Licensing Expo, which is run in partnership with industry trade association Licensing International, is the world’s largest licensing trade show and is taking place in person at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas from May 24–26, 2022.
Through its two categories – Character & Animation and Brand & Design – the License This! competition aims to give unlicensed brands from across the globe a welcome leg-up into the world of licensing and consumer products by helping them secure new deals or agent representation.
The competition is free to enter online; the cut-off date is Friday, March 25, and the judges are looking for new, creative concepts that have the potential to be applied across multiple product categories.
Judge Steven Ekstract says: “License This! does a fantastic job of bringing together innovation and opportunity by helping designers, illustrators and animators to succeed in the wonderful world of licensing. The creativity of last year’s License This! entrants was a joy to behold, so I’m really looking forward to viewing this year’s entries and meeting the finalists in person at Licensing Expo for the first time in May.”
Each category winner will receive:
·       A free-of-charge 100 sq ft booth at Licensing Expo 2023, worth $2,500
·       One-year Licensing International membership, worth $1,000 for a small business
·       One-year Products of Change membership, worth up to $450 for a small business
·       One-to-one consultation with the License This! judges
Last year’s winners – Emily Blumenthal and Lindsay Kaye Lippman’s The Charmsters (Character & Animation), Xavier Smith’s Kujifunza Kids (Brand & Design) and Lawrence Canada, The Goodie Jar – will be exhibiting at Licensing Expo.

Licensing Expo to return to Las Vegas in May 2022

Diversity and innovation celebrated as Licensing Expo Virtual’s License This! crowns its 2021 winners

An animated brand with diversity at its centre, a refillable snack jar, and a children’s animation that brings African and African American culture to the super hero sector have each been named the winners of the inaugural US version of the popular License This! competition.

Held during this past week’s Licensing Expo Virtual – which ran from August 24th to 26th – License This! in partnership with InventHelp, is a global competition that culminated at the online trade event, by providing select illustrators, designers, animators, and product inventors the chance to pitch their concepts to a panel of expert judges.

Spanning three categories in its online format, including Character and Animation, Brand and Design, and Innovations and Product Innovation, the live finale is now available to watch via the Licensing Expo Virtual platform. It witnessed finalists making their pitch to a panel of licensing experts, who then deliberated over this year’s winners.

a staple of London’s Brand Licensing Europe trade show, this marks the first time that the License This! competition has been held for the US licensing industry.

The winners of the inaugural US version of the License This! competition, are:

License This! Character & Animation winners:

  • Emily Blumenthal & Lindsay Kaye Lippman, The Charmsters, a diversity-based animation brand. 

License This! Brand & Design winner:

License This! Innovations & Product Innovation winner:

The License This! competition’s 2021 judging panel comprised of 18 senior executives from every corner of the industry, including Bioworld Merchandising, Boat Rocker Studio, Crayola, FYE, Hallmark, Licensing International, Lisa Mark Associates, Product Counsel, PowerStation Studios and Redbubble, in addition to partner InventHelp and official sponsor WestEnd Software.

“We at the Goodie Jar are excited to have been chosen as a License This! winner,” said Lawrence Canada, The Goodie Jar. “This is a dream coming to fruition. We look forward to the opportunities and experiences that accompany this accomplishment at Licensing Expo.”

Fellow License This! winner Xavier Smith, added: “Winning License This! is an exciting and epic opportunity for The Kujifunza Kids brand and the II Tribes Entertainment family! We look forward to all opportunities from this wonderful experience.”

Finally, founder Emily Blumenthal, and creative director Lindsay Kaye Lippman, of Kanvas Brands, said: “We are excited to win the Character & Animation category for the License This! Competition. We believe this will bring awareness and opportunities to The Charmsters, a diversity-based animation brand rooted in joy, inclusivity and girl empowerment.

“We are grateful to the industry for giving us this platform to introduce our mission and female founded brand and look forward to what happens next.”

This year’s License This! winners receiveone-to-one consultation with members of the judging panel and competition sponsor WestEnd Software, free-of-charge turnkey booth at Licensing Expo 2022, one-year Licensing International membership, one-year Products of Change membership and – exclusively to the winner of the ‘Inventions & Product Innovations’ category – one-to-one consultation with InventHelp.

“I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of this year’s panel,” said Steven Ekstract, managing director of Global Licensing Advisors and Chair of the License This! Judges. “We are really excited to announce the winners and wish them all the very best of luck.”

Brand Licensing Europe’s (BLE) popular License This! competition, which has been running for over a decade, is now open for entries and announces a new third award category, the Inventions & Product Innovations category.

Licensing Expo Virtual’s On Demand Content goes live ahead of show’s launch next week

The on-demand content surrounding this year’s Licensing Expo Virtual has now gone live, with the show scheduled to take place only one week from now, when it will play host to some 3,000 confirmed digital meetings.

Slated to take place from August 24th to 26th and produced in partnership with the industry trade association, Licensing International, the latest exhibitors at the virtual event have also been confirmed, with the likes of Global Icons and Sportgear joining a line-up featuring ViacomCBS, Tokidoki, Crayola, Games Workshop, WWE, Activision, Warner Bros, and more.

Among the thousands of attending companies taking advantage of Licensing Expo Virtual’s rich content and networking offerings include Amazon, Bioworld Merchandising, Hot Topic, J&J, Microsoft, pocket.watch, PopSocket, Primark, Ross, rue21, Toys R Us, and Walmart.

Those interested in attending the virtual event can register here free of charge to schedule meetings with the world’s leading IP owners and sift through thousands of available IPs that are ripe for license.

“In addition to Licensing Expo Virtual’s endless networking opportunities, we are immensely proud to produce world-class education in partnership with Licensing International,” said Anna Knight, VP of Licensing.

“All on-demand sessions will be going live in the platform from Monday to give attendees the chance to enjoy some of the content ahead of the live event, understand the latest trends, and enjoy the Licensing U program in preparation.

“We are also thrilled to share the highly impressive lineup of live speakers that are a part of the all-new Retail ‘Ask Me Anything’ program, Digital Brand Roadshows, Live Keynotes, Licensing International Excellence Awards and new Sustainability Clinics – speakers, exhibitors and attendees alike are all eager to leverage the upcoming Expo as a platform to explore the many challenges we as an industry have faced over the past 18 months and provide expert-led direction on the new opportunities that have emerged as a result of adversity.”

Designed to serve the critical retail segment that fuels the $292.8 billion in sales of licensed merchandise, Licensing Expo Virtual launched a new ‘Ask Me Anything’ program to help retailers make the most of the opportunities that licensing can offer.

From creating unique product ranges to building a more substantial experience in-store, licensing can help retailers stand out amongst competitors. Key sessions include:

Retail – ‘Ask Me Anything’ live sessions

Ask a range of licensing experts ANYTHING about brand licensing & retail. All questions can be submitted anonymously and will be answered during live sessions at the event – registered attendees can add them to their diary from today.

Session one speakers include experts from Brand Liaison, ACI Licensing, pocket.watch, and License Global

Session two speakers include experts from Retail Monster, IT’SUGAR, and License Global

Retail sessions on demand (available to watch from today)

Licensing as a tool for growth and customer engagement in retail

This session, presented by Julia Redman, Buyer and Consultant at Buyers Eye, will cover what to consider when bringing licensing into retail and how a well-thought-through licensing strategy can enhance your engagement with the customer. As with any business strategy, if you are going to embark on including licensing in your plans, you must consider and pre-empt both the benefits and the possible pitfalls to ensure that you create a clear path to success. We will try and help you create that path.

The Experience Economy – from pause to fast-forward

As kids, parents, and families continuously change the way they work, learn, shop, and relax – it’s more important than ever to understand their attitudes, behaviors, and consumption patterns in real-time. In this session, Jonathan Watson, CPO at The Insights Family, highlights some popular properties, brands, and categories emerging as the world reopens. We’ll also be discussing the growing trend for the ‘Experience Economy.’ Our recent data shows that some of the most important values parents look to instill in their children is value experiences more than products. The session will explore how retailers can think of licensing from a more strategic approach, creating partnerships that provide more value and long-term retention.

Wayfair’s sustained growth powered by a customer-centric vision and focus on execution

In this session, Ankit Mangal, Director at Wayfair, will speak to Wayfair’s recent growth and how it will sustain itself in coming years due to its customer-centric vision that manifests in different facets of the organization and focus on flawless execution to continue to increase share in a highly fragmented market that’s everything home.

Complementing consumer trends that are turning toward sustainability, Licensing Expo Virtual rolled out all-new Sustainability Clinics, in partnership with Products of Change, providing attendees access to renowned experts who are eager to share advice on developing eco-friendly business practices.

“The Sustainability Clinics are an important addition to this year’s event, as they offer attendees real-world advice on how to navigate this continuing trend,” remarked Knight. “According to a recent report by Nielsen, the U.S. sustainability market is projected to reach $150 billion by the end of the year – those are figures retailers, and IP owners need to pay attention to.”

See below for a snapshot of participants confirmed for the Sustainability Clinics:

  • Andrea Green, Principle, Globally Green Consulting
  • Brenda Seto, Ambassador for Canada
  • June Kirkwood, Director, Nutmeg Licensing
  • Carrie Lomas, CEO, Brand Conscience
  • Leonora Aixas Otero, Ambassador for Spain

Sustainability clinics are now available to book – registered delegates can visit the Products of Change virtual book and book their meetings with the experts listed above.

To view the full 2021 Licensing Expo Virtual agenda, find out about the Keynotes, Licensing International Excellence Awards, License This! Finale, Digital Brand Roadshows, and more details on the above sessions, visit here

Educational offerings and meetings are available exclusively to Licensing Expo Virtual attendees;  register for free now to pre-book meetings and access this content at the event.

Press interested in attending the event can secure credentials here.

The Licensing International Excellence Awards prepare for Licensing Expo Virtual live stream ceremony

The Licensing International Excellence Awards will be returning to Licensing Expo this year, albeit in a virtual format, as the ceremony makes its preparations to live stream on Day One of Licensing Expo Virtual this August 24th to 26th.

The annual award programme will once again honour a list of nominees and reveal the 2021 winners across its 22 categories, whittling down the record-setting number of finalists from the more than 150 nominees across 23 countries. The live broadcast will take place on the Licensing Expo Virtual platform and is available exclusively to event attendees.

Register here for the event and ceremony free of charge.

Scheduled for August 24 at 9:00 a.m. PST/12:00 p.m. EDT, the live ceremony is designed to celebrate a world-class group of licensing professionals, IP owners, agencies, retailers, and more, for their creativity and dedication to the pursuit of advancing the brand licensing industry.

“In a year where stay-at-home restrictions radically disrupted societal behavior, a selection of standout professionals and companies helped the industry navigate these uncharted waters through strategic licensing initiatives – many of which are nominated for this year’s Licensing International Excellence Awards,” said Maura Regan, president of Licensing International.

“Each and every one of this year’s nominees have played a part in reimagining the brand to consumer relationship, changes that will have a positive impact on the outlook of our industry. We look forward to celebrating these successes during the award ceremony during Licensing Expo Virtual.”

Anna Knight, VP of Licensing, Informa Markets, added: “Licensing Expo is about bringing the global licensing community together, a sentiment that really strikes home as we’ve all had to face unique challenges and think outside the box, more so than ever before.

“We are proud to partner with Licensing International and host the Excellence Awards ceremony on the first day of this year’s event to pause and applaud so many individual’s and company’s continued perseverance and inflow of creative ideas that kept our industry’s momentum going.”

The Licensing International Excellence Awards categories include:

BEST LICENSED PRODUCT – Apparel / Footwear / Accessories
Presented by WildBrain CPLG

BEST LICENSED PRODUCT – Appliances/Automotive/Electronics/Housewares/Paint
Presented by ViacomCBS

BEST LICENSED PRODUCT – Digital: Apps / Software / Video Games
Presented by WildBrain – emojitown

BEST LICENSED PRODUCT – Food / Beverage
Presented by LI Accelerator Recipients Bedrock Collectibles, Holy Joe, LIBREX, Park Star Media & Somos Arte

BEST LICENSED PRODUCT – Health & Beauty Aids
Presented by WildBrain – Teletubbies

BEST LICENSED PRODUCT – Home Décor
Presented by InSpirit Designs

BEST LICENSED PRODUCT – Publishing / Social Expression / Back-to-School
Presented by ViacomCBS

BEST LICENSED PRODUCT – Toys / Games / Novelties / Role Play (ages 0-8)
Presented by Alifish

BEST LICENSED PRODUCT – Toys / Games / Novelties / Role Play (ages 8+)
Presented by InSpirit Designs

BEST AGENCY / MANUFACTURER REP
Presented by Bedrock Collectibles, Holy Joe, LIBREX, Park Star Media & Somos Arte

BEST LICENSED BRAND – Corporate
Presented by ViacomCBS

BEST LICENSED BRAND – Digital: Apps & Video Games
Presented by InSpirit Designs

BEST LICENSED BRAND – Entertainment / Character / Toy Brand – Animated
Presented by Alifish

BEST LICENSED BRAND – Entertainment / Character – Live Action
Presented by InSpirit Designs

BEST LICENSED BRAND – Food / Beverage / Restaurant Brand
Presented by WildBrain CPLG Lifestyle

BEST LICENSED BRAND – Lifestyle: Art / Design / Celebrity / Fashion Brand
Presented by Bedrock Collectibles, Holy Joe, LIBREX, Park Star Media & Somos Arte

BEST LICENSED BRAND – Sports / Collegiate
Presented by ViacomCBS

BEST LICENSED COLLABORATION
Presented by Alifish

BEST LICENSED PROMOTION
Presented by WildBrain CPLG – Peanuts Worldwide

BEST RETAILER – Corporate / Lifestyle / Fashion / Sports
Presented by Alifish

BEST RETAILER – Entertainment / Character
Presented by Bedrock Collectibles, Holy Joe, LIBREX, Park Star Media & Somos Arte

THE PANDEMIC PIVOT
Presented by ViacomCBS

 To view the full Licensing International Excellence Awards nominee list, visit here.

Mattel’s Richard Dickson and Roz Nowicki to deliver keynote at Licensing Expo Virtual

Mattel’s president and COO, Richard Dickson and the firm’s head of global consumer products and franchise marketing, Roz Nowicki will be taking to the stage at the upcoming Licensing Expo Virtual next month, when the pair deliver the online conference’s Day Three Keynote address.

In a fireside chat titled Mattel and Living its Brand Purpose, the pair will explore how the IP driven toys and entertainment company empowers the next generation by introducing purpose-driven products from its portfolio of brands. You can sign up for the free-to-attend keynote presentation here.

Joining senior executives from Warner Bros. Consumer Products, who will open the event as keynote speakers on Day One, Dickson and Nowicki will address the event’s thousands of attendees confirmed to date, who will get an inside look into building and progressing the toy giant’s brand purpose.

Attendees of the event – running from August 24th to 26th – will benefit from the duo’s combined experience that exceeds 50 years of leading brand and innovation strategy, design and development, and franchise marketing. They are responsible for the worldwide growth of brands including Barbie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Peanuts, Hot Wheels, among many others.

The keynote presentation will begin at 8:00 a.m. PST/11:00 a.m. EST, followed by a final day of live content including the new Digital Brand Roadshows, Retail and Sustainability Clinics, industry networking, and many meeting opportunities with hundreds of leading brand owners.

“Year after year, Mattel is an industry leader in delivering new products that not only excite consumers but bring characters and stories to life in a meaningful way,” said Anna Knight, VP of licensing at Informa Markets.

“We are thrilled to announce that Richard and Roz will impart learnings from their work that spans a full range of toy and entertainment brands across categories.”

Mattel’s president and chief operating officer, Richard Dickson, added: “We are proud to represent Mattel at the upcoming Licensing Expo Virtual event this August and speak to a topic that is foundational to our business: delivering purpose-driven products that help shape how children perceive, engage with, and someday, influence the world around them.

“Licensing is a powerful tool that enables us to build brand stories and reach a global audience – Roz and I could not be more excited to share our learnings that attendees can incorporate into their work.”

In addition to announcing the Day Three keynote, Licensing Expo Virtual has also revealed a selection of exhibitors participating in the all-new Digital Brands Roadshows, a collection of curated exhibitor case studies designed to spotlight compelling brands and IP broadcast live at the live event.

Among those participating are:

  • New Exhibitors to the Event with Chan-Chan, Playlife Media, Piney: The Lonesome Pine and Boat Rocker
  • Heritage & Nostalgia with MGM and Art Brand Studios
  • Licensing Around the World with Wildbrain CPLG and Yale University
  • The Live Experience with Penske and Nickelodeon
  • Animation & Anime with Viz Media

Licensing Expo Virtual also confirmed some of the experts as part of the exclusive retail program, composed of ‘Ask me Anything’ live Q&As and sessions on how brand licensing can support retail businesses.

Speakers for this program include Steven Heller, founder of The Brand Liaison; Andrew Cohan, co-founder/co-CEO, ACI Licensing; Sharon Weisman, CEO, Power Station Studios; Michael Connolly, founder & CEO, Retail Monster; Julia Redman, Retail Expert, Buyers Eye; Ankit Mangal, Director, Wayfair; The Insights Family.

License This! reveals senior exec judging panel with Crayola, Bioworld, and PowerStation Studios among panel

Global Licensing Group and Licensing International have revealed the full line-up of judges to be presiding over this year’s License This! as the competition prepares to make its US market debut at Licensing Expo Virtual next month.

A list of 18 senior executives from all corners of the licensing industry make up this year’s panel, including those from world-renowned companies and licensing agencies, such as Bioworld Merchandising, Boat Rocker Studio, Crayola, Hallmark, PowerStation Studios, Redbubble and more.

In addition, the competition will welcome its event partner InventHelp and its official sponsor, WestEnd Software.

After 12 consecutive years running at Brand Licensing Europe, License This! is now a global competition with this year’s debut in the US market at Licensing Expo Virtual, held August 24th to 26th.

“Industry connection is mission-critical in the licensing sector, and the License This! program provides just that: accessibility to a bench of the world’s most influential licensing executives,” said Anna Knight, vice president of Licensing, Informa Markets.

“We are so proud of the doors that the program has opened for creatives and inventors over the past 12 years. Many of our former winners have gone on to produce world-class products and licensing campaigns; we love seeing winners and participants return to our annual events as exhibitors to watch.”

Submit an entry here to compete to win the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from 18 of the world’s most influential licensing executives; the call for submissions closes on July 19. Attendees of Brand Licensing Europe and Licensing Expo Virtual can tune into the live final held on August 25 —register to attend the free event here.

“Combining licensed content with product conceptualization creates new, robust innovation in technologies and play patterns that result in powerful consumer experiences,” shared Joe Moll, Director of Product Design, Engineering and Inventor Relations at Crayola and responsible for building an innovative and unique pipeline of Crayola products through cross-functional internal ideation and partnering with the external inventor community.

“As a product developer, I am very excited to be a judge at the License This! event this year, and look forward to reviewing the innovative entries and learning how we can best bridge the gap between product inventions and licensing opportunities.”

The competition is made up of three different categories:
⦁ License This! Character & Animation
⦁ License This! Brand & Design
⦁ License This! Inventions & Product Innovations – produced in association with InventHelp

The Character & Animation and Brand & Design categories are aimed at unlicensed brands and properties looking to use the Licensing Expo Virtual platform to secure a licensing deal or agency representation. The applicants are usually illustrator/publishing/animation focused.

The Inventions & Product Innovation category is about tangible product inventions (that are patented or patent-pending) or innovative product designs that would benefit from licensing, either through in-bound (i.e., putting a character on it to enhance it) or out-bound to a manufacturer (i.e., a wearables item that is licensed by a mass manufacturer from the inventor).

The competition provides select illustrators, designers, animators, and product inventors, the exciting opportunity to pitch their concepts in front of a panel of expert judges. This is then broadcast live during Licensing Expo Virtual to an audience of manufacturers, retailers, and brand owners.

“With thousands of IPs available and new products launched almost daily, it can be very challenging to stand out in this highly competitive industry. License This! provides a leg up above the competition and helps you hone your craft from an idea into a successful, marketable product,” said Knight.

Important dates to note:

⦁ Entries close: Monday, July 19
⦁ Judging day: Friday, July 23
⦁ Competition pre-record: Friday, August 13
⦁ Live finals: Wednesday, August 25

The winner receives the following prize:

⦁ One-to-one consultation with members of the judging panel and competition sponsor WestEnd Software
⦁ Exclusively to the winner of the ‘Inventions & Product Innovations’ category one-to-one consultation with InventHelp
⦁ Free-of-charge turnkey booth at Licensing Expo 2022
⦁ One year’s Licensing International membership
⦁ One year’s Products of Change membership

Licensing Expo Virtual details ‘most robust educational agenda to date’ ahead of next month’s online event

Retail education, sustainability clinics, and a keynote from senior executives from Warner Bros. Consumer Products make up just a fraction of the agenda for this year’s Licensing Expo Virtual, taking place August 24th to 26th in an online format.

Celebrating 40 years… yes, 40, of connecting IP owners with retailers, manufacturers, and licensees, Licensing Expo Virtual will feature what it has billed as ‘the most robust educational agenda to date.’ What’s more, visitor registration for the event next month is free of charge.

This year’s event features the return of Licensing U, produced by Licensing International, the US market debut of License This!, and an opening keynote address from senior executives at Warner Bros. Consumer Products, plus the launch of Digital Brand Roadshows, Retail Clinics, Sustainability Clinics produced in partnership with Products of Change.

“We are so excited to reveal this year’s agenda as we tailor-made each offering to mirror the industry’s most pressing and ever-changing needs,” said Anna Knight, vice president of Licensing, Informa Markets.

“As a result of extensive conversations with our exhibitor and attendee community, we have devised the strongest agenda to date that is geared toward inciting collaboration, drawing hundreds of IP to the forefront, and addressing the challenges our attendee-base faces daily.”

The agenda will split into live and on-demand content and include:

LIVE SESSIONS

Digital Brand Roadshows: New to Licensing Expo, the Digital Brand Roadshows aim to highlight compelling brands and IP through an exciting collection of exhibitor case studies linked via a common theme, spotlighted in panel conversations broadcast live at the event. Categories for the 2021 event include:

  • Collaborations and Partnerships
  • New Exhibitors to the Event
  • Heritage and Nostalgia
  • The Live Experience
  • Animation and Anime
  • Licensing Around the World

Sustainability Clinics: Also new to the 2021 agenda are the Sustainability Clinics made possible by partner Products of Change, a global educational hub to drive sustainable change across consumer product markets and beyond. Attendees have the opportunity to participate in 30-minute clinics with experts from Products of Change to garner personalized advice on how to improve their current approach and gain a deeper understanding of what other players are doing in the licensing industry.

Retail Education & Ask Me Anything Sessions: Licensing Expo Virtual will offer Retail Clinics comprised of tailored educational sessions provided free of charge for all retailers. “Our intention with Retail Clinics is to ease the challenge of keeping up with and understanding key trends, helping retailers meet a range of licensing experts and gain the inspiration required to introduce licensing into retailer’s strategy,” commented Knight. Education sessions will include:

  • On-demand: Sessions on future trends, category-specific brand licensing case studies, and licensing 101 for retailers.
  • Live Broadcast: Ask Me Anything sessions where a panel of brand licensing experts will be on hand to answer any questions you have about brand licensing and retail. Questions can be submitted live or in advance and can remain anonymous.

Keynote Address: Senior executives from Warner Bros. Consumer Products will deliver the opening keynote address entitled “Unlocking the Fan Power of Global Franchises,” moderated by License Global magazine’s content director Amanda Cioletti. To tune into the address on August 24 at 11:00 a.m. EDT/8:00 a.m. PDT presented by Pam Lifford, president, global brands and experiences, WarnerMedia, and Robert Oberschelp, senior vice president, global franchise management and brand product, Warner Bros. Consumer Products.

License This! Finale: On Day 2 of the event, attendees can be a part of the License This! competition finale, a global initiative produced in partnership with Licensing International and InventHelp that provides select illustrators, designers, animators, and product inventors, the exciting opportunity to pitch their concepts online in front of a panel of expert judges.

ON-DEMAND SESSIONS

GLG Educational Content: Attendees can enjoy on-demand content produced by License Global, which will go live two weeks before the event and spotlight various industry categories, including:

  • Changing the Channel: The Evolution of Kids’ Content
  • Ordering Up: How F&B is Feeding Limited Edition Drops
  • Untapped Potential: How Mobile Gaming is Gearing Up for Big Change
  • Collectibles – Who’s Collecting What Now?
  • WTF is an NFT???!!

Licensing U: A Licensing Expo staple produced by Licensing International, Licensing U supports brand licensing newcomers and those interested in honing their expertise. This year’s educational offering will span three tracks:

  1. Basics, offering an essential introduction to how the licensing industry works
  2. Spotlights, providing insight into the latest topics and trends in key segments
  3. Tactics and Strategies, offering insight into the topics and trends impacting the brand licensing industry

A selection of Basics sessions includes:

  • Basics of International Licensing: A licensing program that operates in more than one country requires a specific set of considerations that can involve such aspects as financial, regulatory, and legal systems, cultural considerations, retail structures, and many others.
  • What You Need to Know About Royalty Rates: Find out how royalty rates are determined, what brand owners and licensees need to be thinking about when they’re being discussed, as well as the implications of the array of structures under which they’re calculated.
  • Developing a Retail Plan: A key element of any licensing effort to create a strategy for getting products to (and through) retail. Attendees will gain perspectives on how to understand the differences among various kinds of retailers, figure out their hot buttons, and match property or product lines to the appropriate targets.

A selection of Tactics and Strategies sessions includes:

  • The Future of NFTs: It might be the hottest topic in the business, with implications for corporate brands, sports, entertainment, celebrities, art – literally every category in licensing. What’s the state of the business, and where is it all headed? Experts will provide perspective.
  • Sustainability Strategies: Environmental responsibility is on the minds of an ever-growing number of consumers. Manufacturers and brand owners in all product categories need to address those concerns—a look at the latest thinking on sustainable sourcing and other topics.
  • Confronting Supply Chain Challenges: The pandemic didn’t just disrupt consumer behavior; it also sparked a significant disruption in manufacturing, shipping, and all aspects of getting new products to market in a cost-effective and timely way. How have things changed, and what’s the outlook for the future?

Attendees can secure their Licensing U Pass from just $88 for one track or $156 for the All-Access Pass by booking before July 23 to take advantage of the 20 per cent Early Bird discount. Licensing International members benefit from an additional 10 per cent discount.

For a full download of the 2021 Licensing Expo Virtual agenda, visit here. All sessions will remain available on-demand for three months after the live event ends.