Category Archives: Live

Brand & Licensing Innovation Summits to launch in Europe and North America this year

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Global Licensing Group is to launch its Brand & Licensing Innovation Summits in Europe and North America to celebrate the power of brands and brand extension, as well as provide trends and forecasts, retailer insights, spotlights on growth categories, and deep dives into digital and content innovation.

B&LIS 2021 aims to help middle-management, business leaders, and owners to navigate the changing retail, content, and consumer landscape through keynotes, panel discussions, roundtables, and workshops all providing actionable advice, information and strategies on the future of brands and licensing.

Content will be curated by the License Global editorial team and Products of Change and is presented in association with industry trade body Licensing International. The inaugural B&LIS, focusing on the European market, will premiere as a virtual event on June, 9 to 11 2021.

Each day of the event will spotlight a different topic, with trends and retail taking its day one slot, CSR and sustainability with a programme curated by Products of Change taking place on day two, and day three dedicated to content and digital transformation.

The second edition of B&LIS will focus on the American market and takes the form of a hybrid summit on October 27th to 28th with the in-person element hosted in New York.

“We spent many, many hours talking to the industry before launching B&LIS, and our research confirmed there is huge appetite for forward-looking content that highlights the innovations, insight and future trends that will drive the success of brands and businesses post-pandemic,” said Anna Knight, VP of Licensing, Informa Markets.

The Brand & Licensing Innovation Summits will complement the Global Licensing Group’s current trade show portfolio, which includes Brand Licensing Europe (November, 17 to 19 in London) and Licensing Expo (August 10 to 12 in Las Vegas).

Knight added: “Our trade shows very much focus on deal-making, networking and trend spotting whereas the newly launched B&LIS summits are a complementary thought-leadership opportunity for the industry to learn from and debate with experts inside and outside the world of licensing.

“They will provide inspiring and exclusive content on future-looking actionable trends and enable delegates to better navigate the changing licensing landscape.”

Register your interest now for the European Brand & Licensing Innovation Summit at www.brandlicensinginnovationsummit.com

Warner Bros partners with Imagine Exhibitions for new touring Harry Potter: The Exhibition

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A new Wizarding World exhibition is now under development and is scheduled to make its worldwide debut in 2022.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products has lined up a partnership with Imagine Exhibitions to a create an innovative new Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts exhibition, slated to begin touring across multiple regions, including in North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific Region, and Europe, as well as the Middle East and Africa from next year.

Harry Potter: The Exhibition will be a scalable experience for fans, covering between 10,000 and 20,000 square feet. It will celebrate the most iconic moments from the films and stories through an immersive, behind the scenes exhibition experience, while presenting crafted environments that honour the characters, settings, and beasts seen in the films.

“We are honored to be entrusted with the iconic Harry Potter brand and excited to develop and share an exhibition experience that celebrates the magic of the Wizarding World,” said Tom Zaller, CEO of Imagine Exhibitions. “We look forward to working with world-class partners, promoters, and sponsors to bring an all-new Harry Potter: The Exhibition to fans around the globe.”

The initial venue for the new Harry Potter: The Exhibition will be announced in the coming months.

Visitors will get an up-close look at authentic props and original costumes from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films as they engage with innovative, inspiring, and magical environments and installations.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the experts at Imagine Exhibitions, on this all-new Harry Potter exhibition,” said Peter van Roden, senior vice president of global themed entertainment at Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “Everyone involved with this project is committed to bringing a masterfully crafted newly innovative Wizarding World experience to fans around the world.”

Sustainability in Licensing Conference confirms its return for 2021

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The Sustainability in Licensing Conference has confirmed its return for 2021 with plans to take place at The British Library in London while dual-cast digitally across the SILC21 digital platform.

Breaking new ground in the licensing industry when it launched last year, the 2021 edition of the conference is scheduled to take place on June 24 this year. The event is once again aimed at everyone in the licensing arena, from retailers to licensors, licensees to trade suppliers.

Launched by Max Publishing along with Products of Change (the online membership platform for sustainable advancement within the industry) and curated by Helena Mansell-Stopher – an experienced licensing executive and founder of Products of Change, SILC 2021 will aim to inspire and inform as to how the sector can continue to innovate and grow commercially while not costing the planet.

The agenda will see leading lights and visionaries from outside and within the industry as well as retail experts, all sharing their inspiring achievements and demonstrating the gains, both environmentally and financially, that can be made.

“It has been amazing to learn of the businesses that were inspired by the speakers last year and have since implemented those learnings into actionable sustainable change, and it’s because of this I am extremely proud to curate the 2021 line up,” said Mansell-Stopher.

“To drive sustainable growth within the licensing industry over the next few decades will require a radical approach to business practices, be it through embracing new materials and production techniques, re-engineering packaging or adopting new marketing methods, all without sacrificing financial growth. Our aim with SILC 2021 is to help both future-proof our industry and our world.”

Already, a number of leading companies have pledged their official support to SILC 2021, underlining their commitment to change within the industry, including BBC Studios, Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Natural History Museum, ViacomCBS, Hasbro, Character World, TDP Textiles, Dreamtex, Amscan and GB Eye with more due to be announced in the coming weeks.

Products of Change is the headline supporter of SILC 2021.

Toy & Edu China and Licensing China will host digital-physical hybrid fairs this year

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Toy & Edu China, Baby & Stroller China, and Licensing China will be offering a physical-digital hybrid fair experience this March with an online platform to support toy, baby product, and licensing companies exploring business opportunities in the region.

The virtual marketplace will go hand in hand with the physical fairs that will be held in Shenzhen from March 30th to April 1st this year.

The move follows the heightened demand for online exhibition services against the backdrop of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, Messe Frankfurt’s E-connect 360 will feature a series of digital solutions that ‘go beyond geographical locations and time differences’ to help boost business interaction on a global scale.

A dedicated website will be available by the end of February, giving exhibitors and buyers access to the services all in one place.

Ms Wendy Wen, senior general manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, commented: “We are finding innovative and effective ways to help our stakeholders embrace the digital possibilities driven by the pandemic. As an extension of the three in-person events, the online platform will present brands with valuable opportunities to establish connections and maximise coverage.

“Meanwhile, livestreaming of concurrent conferences and the fair tours will be employed for the first time during the fairs to enhance online participation.”

To replicate face-to-face interactions for those who cannot travel to China, a business matching service will be available on the ‘E-connect 360’ platform four weeks before and after the fairs, allowing industry players to interact virtually and build new relationships in a more flexible manner.

Users can check out business profiles based on AI-powered recommendations or manual searches, and reach out to their preferred business partners using the built-in instant messaging tool. Moreover, it can be used to pre-arrange and hold video meetings during the fairs.

Buyers visiting the fairs in person, meanwhile, can use the business matching programme to schedule appointments with online exhibitors.

Click here for more details and to pre-register for the business matching service.

In addition to business matching, exhibitors can utilise the ‘E-connect 360’ platform to promote their company and product offerings. Brands can submit their product shots along with descriptions and video content which will be made available for viewing on the website.

Moreover, an information centre that highlights the latest developments about the toy, baby product and licensing sectors will provide valuable insights to industry players.

When the fairs open, virtual participants can enjoy livestreaming from the fairground. Fringe programme events such as conferences and the fair tours will be broadcasted live on the platform.

Toy & Edu China, Baby & Stroller China and Licensing China are organised by Guangdong Toy Association, Guangzhou Li Tong Messe Frankfurt Co Ltd and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd. The three fairs will be held at the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center from 30 March to 1 April 2021.

Silvergate Media unveils world’s biggest Octonauts attraction at Sea Life Shanghai

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Silvergate Media has released the first images from the launch of the world’s biggest Octonauts attraction at Merlin Entertainment’s Changfeng Ocean World in Shanghai, part of the Sea Life global aquarium chain.

The new Octonauts experience opened its doors to the public on December 28th and visitor numbers are already expected to surpass 500,000 a year.

The new attraction offers an authentically themed experience that will give families the opportunity to go on a real life Octonauts adventure in a fully submerged Octopod capsule within Merlin Entertainment’s new ‘Ray Bay’ experience at Changfeng Ocean World.

Visitors can join characters including Captain Barnacles, Kwazii and Peso to learn about the world’s oceans and help save baby rays. They will also be able to take home a memento of their day, with a range of Octonauts merchandise available to buy on-site at a dedicated SEA LIFE gift shop.

The new attraction arrives ahead of a new content launch for Octonauts, as new spin-off series Octonauts: Above and Beyond prepares to debut globally this autumn, with new licensing partners soon to be announced. The new Octonauts experience in Shanghai builds on the momentum of previous SEA LIFE partnerships with Merlin Entertainments in the UK, Europe, Australia and the US, with additional new activations due to be announced.

“What better way to bring the brand to life than a fully immersive attraction at a world-class SEA LIFE centre,” said Ron Allen, EVP Commercial Silvergate Media. “This promises to be an exciting year for the brand as we build up to the launch of Octonauts: Above and Beyond and we’re excited that families in China now have the opportunity to step into the world of Octonauts in this unique underwater adventure.”

Matthew Williams, senior brand director midway, Merlin Entertainments, added: “We are delighted to have opened the world’s biggest Octonauts experience at Changfeng Ocean World in the fantastic new Ray Bay area, immersing families in a heroic underwater adventure with their favourite characters from the series.

“Octonauts is an ideal IP for SEA LIFE with fun and discovery at its core, and we look forward to working with Silvergate to share more exciting and innovative themed Octonauts experiences with families at our aquariums around the globe.”

Manchester’s Trafford Centre prepares for a £4.5m Nerf laser combat attraction

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Plans have been put in place to launch the first official Nerf Action Experience attraction in Manchester’s Trafford Centre shopping destination through a partnership between Hasbro and Rocafella Leisure Group.

The £4.5 million attraction will mark the first of its kind Britain, mirroring a similar attraction already open in Singapore called Nerf Xperience. The news has been reported following plans to change 25,000 square feet of units at Barton Square were placed with Trafford Council.

According to Manchester Evening News, the application reveals that three first floor units will be combined to create the space to accommodate the adventure attraction. A 4,000 sq ft mezzanine floor is also planned, with room for a café and a viewing platform.

The application states that Nerf is a ‘family entertainment leisure experience, incorporating laser guns and virtual interactions and is a market leading attraction with 20 attractions across Europe’.

“Nerf’s occupancy at Barton Square will be their first UK destination,” it adds.

It is expected that the new Nerf Action Xperience will create somewhere around 50 new jobs.

Word of the partnership between Hasbro and Rocafella Leisure Group was first announced when the event company’s chief operating officer issued a social media statement detailing the launch of the experience at the Trafford Centre “in early 2021.”

“Taking UK family Entertainment Centres top the next level with the first of its kind. A huge thank you to @Hasbro and their dedicated team,” he said.

New York Toy Fair 2021 cancelled as Coronavirus pandemic continues to cause uncertainty

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The New York Toy Fair 2021 has been cancelled owing to the insufficient resolution of the ongoing Coronavirus crisis across the globe, the Toy Association has confirmed this afternoon.

The annual industry event had been moved from its Q1 February slot to a later date, scheduled to take place from May 1st to 4th this year. However, the US industry body has confirmed this afternoon that it will not conduct the interim trade show this year.

Plans for Toy Fair Dallas remain on course for October 2021 while providing an ongoing mix of physical and digital business opportunities for the industry will be the Association’s focus this year.

“Our foremost consideration is the health and well-being of the global toy and play community and setting a clear path forward,” said Steve Pasierb, president and CEO of The Toy Association.

“We want to provide our exhibitors, retail buyers, and the larger toy and play community with certainty on important destination shows and the ability to take advantage of immediate opportunities through our year-round buying and selling platform.”

As uncertainty about the pandemic persists, The Toy Association remains keyed into what is possible, stating that it will be concentrating on its digital business offerings, before bringing the industry back together in person for Toy Fair Dallas 2021 from Tuesday, October 5 through Thursday, October 7.

The Toy Association is also looking ahead to Toy Fair New York 2022 from Saturday, February 19th to Tuesday, February 22nd in a newly expanded Jacob K. Javits Center.

Toy Fair Everywhere digital market weeks held throughout 2020 successfully helped toy businesses forge ahead amid the pandemic and brought in more than 3,000 buyers from over 60 countries, proving the global potential of the platform for doing business despite travel restrictions and different time zones.

This February, the digital B2B marketplace will further establish its position as the toy industry’s first and only year-round platform, making new business opportunities possible every day.

The Toy Association will also collaborate with additional prospective retailers throughout 2021 on virtual private product preview events, which in 2020 created new avenues for nearly 400 toy makers to get their products on shelves.

The next virtual event with specialty retailer Claire’s is scheduled to take place February 4th.

“These proven digital opportunities should continue to be a critical part of every toy businesses’ mixed sales and marketing strategy,” said Marian Bossard, executive vice president of global market events at The Toy Association.

“As we look forward to our time together at Toy Fair Dallas 2021 and Toy Fair New York 2022, the proof is in the pudding as to the potential of these digital tools and events to serve our members in reaching new audiences.”

Hyve Group reveals dates for the all-virtual Spring Fair @ Home 2021

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Hyve Group has confirmed the dates of its Spring Fair @ Home virtual event, an all-digital show that will take the place of the in-person Spring Fair 2021 that was cancelled last month over the continued uncertainty surrounding covid-19 restrictions.

Running from February 8th to 10th, Spring Fair @ Home has been designed to ‘bring the industry together, even when we remain apart’ by providing a hub for industry professionals in the UK and around the world.

Bringing together the key elements of what makes the show, Spring Fair @ Home will provide key industry insights, as well as a first-hand look at the latest products, trends and collections. Among the exhibitor line up are names such as Coach House, Puckator, Moulin Roty, Paper Salad, T & G Woodware, and Alexander Thurlow.

Julie Driscoll, managing director for Hyve’s retail portfolio, said: “We are delighted to be offering a digital platform for the Spring Fair community this February. Whilst we are working hard towards the return of our physical events, I am so proud that the team have been able to develop a virtual offering that has proved so valuable to both retailers and brands during such a challenging time for retail both here in the UK and abroad.”

Spring Fair exhibitor Steve Cox, UK sales director at Keel Toys, said: “Spring Fair is undoubtedly the most important fair of the year for Keel Toys. At the start of 2021 we all need to get creative to meet with all our key buyers effectively with the lack of physical shows. The Spring Fair Virtual show will be an important part of our mix to present the new ranges for 2021.”

An exclusive content programme will provide access to of-the-minute industry intel, trend insights, peer-to-peer panel sessions, and more.

Dedicated Virtual Showrooms will also provide buyers with an easy and accessible way to discover new brands and see what their current partners have to offer. The Virtual Showroom will provide carefully curated brand line-ups on the Spring Fair website. Dynamic profile will allow brands and designers to put their best virtual foot forward, with capabilities to host videos, lookbooks, brand imagery and more.

Spring Fair @ Home will also see the return of the Product Showcase concept. Giving brands the opportunity to take buyers on showroom tours, or simply talk through their latest collection, the Product Showcase offers exhibitors the chance to submit a five-minute video to be shown to buyers during a sector-specific time slot.

Spring Fair @ Home is open to all buyers and takes place on 8th – 10th February 2021.

Global Licensing Group details new dates for BLE 2021 – a hybrid of in-person and online events

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Global Licensing Group, a division of Informa Markets and event organisers of Licensing Expo and Brand Licensing Europe, has detailed its 2021 and new event format, bringing with it a hybrid of in-person and virtual offerings.

Licensing Expo will take place live and in-person at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas on August 10th to 12th, while accompanying the tradeshow is an online event, which will be held two weeks later on August 24th to 25th.

Meanwhile, Brand Licensing Europe will take place live and in-person at ExCeL London on November 17th to 19th, 2021, with an online event also following two weeks later on November 30th to December 1st, 2021.

The new format has been devised to meet the demand for face-to-face meetings with the flexibility and convenience of an online event setting as a means of encouraging  IP exploration, new connections and thought leadership.

The shift to a multi-platform format will blend the best components of in-person and online to create an enhanced experience for all participants no matter their circumstances or location. Supported by a robust online platform, exhibitors and visitors will have access before, during and after the events to schedule and host meetings, enjoy on-demand content and thought leadership and search and discover the widest range of properties available for license anywhere in the world.

The Las Vegas and London events will be organized in accordance with Informa’s AllSecure health and safety standards designed to ensure all participants can attend events safely and with confidence. AllSecure practices are comprised of learnings and best-practices from across the leading trade event companies around the world, in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, to create physical environments that meet industry standards for gathering.

“We truly understand the importance of relationships and in-person connections to the licensing industry and have therefore made the decision to move both events to a time later in the calendar year,” said Anna Knight, vice president of the Global Licensing Group.

“In addition, we have also seen a fantastic response to Licensing Week Virtual, which we ran in June, and October’s month-long celebration Festival of Licensing. Following consultation with many of our customers, we have decided to carry forward the successful elements of these virtual events and learnings from them to run alongside our in-person events in 2021 and beyond.

“Multi-platform events are definitely the future, and the combination of live and online offers no limits to global participation.”

Maura regan, president, Licensing International, Global Licensing Group event sponsor, added: “I know I’m not alone in eagerly anticipating the moment when we can all gather again in person, and this revised timeframe and hybrid solution for our industry’s two flagship gatherings will offer the best chance for that to happen soon and safely.

“While we certainly learned this year that nothing can replace actual face-to-face interaction, the unique value of virtual events is their global accessibility. This plan for the 2021 iterations of Licensing Expo and BLE will allow us to have the best of both worlds.”

Cityneon partners with Museo Larco to introduce Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru

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The exhibition and live event specialist, Cityneon Holdings has entered into an agreement with Museo Larco and Inkaterra Asociacion, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and the Government of Peru, to debut an exhibition of over 200 piece of rare artefacts from Peru that pre-date the Inca empire.

Called Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru, the exhibition will feature pieces that are valued at around $250 million and will travel to various cities around the world.

Partnering with World Heritage Exhibitions as the exclusive global show operator and promoter, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru will feature the largest gold collection to travel the world. It will also include a virtual walkthrough of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Machu Picchu.

Recent restrictions put in place to preserve the invaluable historical site, fewer than 1 million travellers are allowed entry into Machu Picchu every year. With the recent global pandemic situation, the need for social distancing and other measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, this number has further dipped to 250,000.

In Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru, visitors will be treated to the story of the transformation of dozens of ancient cultures in Peru, starting with the Chavín culture, one of the earliest civilizations in the Americas, and stretching 3,000 years to the discovery of Machu Picchu by Hiram Bingham III in 1911.

The highlight of the exhibition is a fully intact Gold attire of a Chimú emperor, that dates back to 1300 AD. The Chimú empire was born from the previous Moche state in the northern coast of Peru, centuries before the expansion of the Inca empire, that formed the largest empire of the Southern Hemisphere.

The Chimú attire is the expression of an imperial body dressed in gold, channelling the power of the Sun, representing this Andean God on earth, and it will be surrounded by more than 10 earlier royal gold and silver ancestral attires from the land of the Incas.

Ron Tan, executive chairman and chief executive officer of Cityneon, said: “We are honoured to be trusted by Museo Larco and the Government of Peru to showcase these treasures to the world. We believe our expertise and track records will let us do justice to these remarkable pieces of rare Machu Picchu artefacts and allow us to take visitors through big, wonderful experiences.

“We are thankful to work with partners as established as the Museo Larco, Inkaterra Asociación and World Heritage Exhibitions. Together, we are confident to showcase this thrilling exhibition about the ancient cultures who lived in this city 7,000 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains.”

With the limited entertainment options available as the world recovers from the unprecedented global pandemic situation, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru will differentiate itself as a safe entertainment option due to the sheer size of the exhibition spanning over 1,500 square meters, allowing social distancing between visitors while they savour the 228 pieces of original Peruvian artefacts.

José Koechlin Von Stein, president of Inkaterra Asociación, added: “We are delighted to announce this partnership with Cityneon. Their track records of holding interactive exhibitions means Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru will be just as engaging as all their previous works, and we look forward to hosting millions at this historical, educational and fun exhibition while visitors learn about Peruvian history.

“We trust Cityneon’s vast expertise will truly bring ancient Peru to life.”

Andrés Alvarez-Calderón Larco, president of Museo Larco said: “We’re incredibly proud of our rich history and trust that Cityneon is the best partner to showcase the extraordinary and rich history of ancient Peru, bringing to life the various cultures that have lived in the land of the Incas and Machu Picchu over an astounding 5,000 years. We cannot wait for people all over the world to view these amazingly preserved artefacts up close.”

To hold the exhibition, Cityneon has assembled an experienced global team who would be able to handle the historical treasures. The Group’s subsidiary Victory Hill Exhibitions holds the world’s largest market share of Hollywood exhibition IPs globally, and it will make use of its vast industry experience in the curation of intellectual property in the travelling museums artefacts space.