This year’s License This! features an all-new format, alongside a new-to-show pitching competition and will spotlight emerging IP discovery.
Licensing Expo has announced the opening of submissions for two new programmes: License This! and Ignite Brand Pitches. Both programmes aim to highlight new branding concepts from never-before licensed and emerging IPs. The competitions will be given a platform on the live stage at Licensing Expo, taking place from June 13th-15th at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, organized by Informa Markets’ Global Licensing Group.
License This! aims to spotlight newcomers into the industry, inviting artists, illustrators, designers and creatives with no existing licensing experience to submit concepts from today to be reviewed by a panel of expert judges. Entrants will be reviewed based on level of ingenuity, licensing potential and alignment with today’s marketplace. Three runner-ups and the winner will be announced on a live stage during Licensing Expo and the winner will receive over $7,000 of free exposure including a booth at the following year’s event to launch their brand to the global licensing community.
Ignite Brand Pitches is aimed at Licensing Expo’s signed exhibitors to provide them with a platform to generate buzz and get the industry’s eyes on their newest IP or innovation. Designed for brands with existing licensing portfolios, five selected entrants will pitch one brand concept live on-stage to Licensing Expo’s audience of industry experts.
Both competitions are free to enter, with submissions closing on April 17th, 2023.
“There is high demand at Licensing Expo to curate experiences surrounding emerging and existing IPs, with brand discovery a key reason that attendees come to the show – to seek the next big thing,” commented Ella Haynes, Event director for Licensing Expo. “We wanted to bring back License This! to provide a voice for those who are trying to break into the licensing industry. We are also launching Ignite Brand Pitches this year to support continued innovation and to spotlight ‘newness’ for existing exhibitors to amplify their current projects.”
To enter the License This! 2023 competition, for more information on Ignite Brand Pitches, or to register to attend or exhibit at Licensing Expo 2023, visit LicensingExpo.com.
