Tag Archives: ble 2021

Just 4 days left to enter the Kelvyn Gardner License This! competition at BLE

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There are just four days left for designers, illustrators, animators and inventors to enter this year’s Kelvyn Gardner License This! competition at Brand Licensing Europe. It’s an incredible opportunity to get a foot in the door of the $292 billion global licensing industry.

There are three award categories available to enter this year:

  • Character & Animation
  • Brand & Design
  • Product Design using Aardman Animations’ Morph as inspiration

The competition is totally free to enter, and the three winners will receive promotional space at Brand Licensing Europe 2022, valuable advice from industry experts, and annual membership of trade association Licensing International and sustainability education hub Products of Change.

Entries close on 11 October.

ViacomCBS Consumer Products to share Diversity & Inclusion insights plus new toy research during BLE Day 2 keynote

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ViacomCBS will share insights from its corporate Diversity & Inclusion efforts with a specific focus on its recently conducted toy research study during Brand Licensing Europe’s second day keynote.

Mark Kingston, Senior Vice President, International, ViacomCBS Consumer Products will lead the keynote and review the impact on culture, community and industry when there’s a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging. The keynote will also include Ameeta Held, Vice President, Insights and Business Strategy, Consumer Products, ViacomCBS, referencing original toy research detailing the importance of authentic representation in dolls and the impact on choice.

The keynote, which takes place in-person at BLE from 13:00-14:00 on Thursday 18 November, will also set the background as to why the consumer products and licensing community plays such a pivotal role in diversity and inclusion.

“As an organisation we are dedicated to creating content that reflects the global audiences we serve, and within consumer products we are especially committed to ensuring our products are inclusive and representative,” says Mark Kingston. “Our latest research shines a light on the important role our industry plays in our continued conversation around Diversity & Inclusion and I look forward to presenting our thoughts and findings alongside my colleagues at BLE.”

Ahead of ViacomCBS’ keynote, representatives from Black Lives Matter Licensing UK will take to the stage to talk about the group’s purpose, goals and activity in the sector to date.

Informa Markets’ VP of Licensing Anna Knight says, “It’s not possible to underestimate the importance of this keynote to our industry and I implore everyone who is attending BLE to pre-register now and secure a spot. Consumer products has a huge responsibility – and opportunity – to represent, embrace and empower diversity if we are to build a more inclusive and equal future for consumers across the world.”

ViacomCBS is one of over 150 exhibitors currently confirmed for BLE, which takes place in-person at ExCeL London from 17-19 November followed by an online event on 30 November to 1 December. The Exhibitor list features companies from all three licensing categories – Character & Entertainment, Brands & Lifestyle, and Art, Design & Image – and with strong representation from Europe, the UK and wider afield.

You can view the show’s exhibitor list here.

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

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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.

Hasbro, Science Museum, and Aardman among Brand Licensing Europe 2021 line-up

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MGA Entertainment, Hasbro Consumer Products, Mattel Brands, and the Science Museum Group are among the names confirmed to be exhibiting at this year’s Brand Licensing Europe as the industry readies to meet face-to-face once again at ExCeL London this November.

With just over four months until the in-person return of the London licensing event, the show’s organiser has detailed the first wave of exhibitors confirmed to take part in the trade event this year, spanning a range of countries and categories, from TV production and movie studios, to leaders in the toy space.

Confirmed exhibitors include The Smurfs, Magic Light Pictures, Crunchyroll, Asterix, and Aardman, alongside the likes of Sanrio, SEGA, National Basketball Association, and Gallimard Jeunesse. They join a roster of high profile toy companies who each continue to build on their global franchises through consumer products and licensing. These include Hasbro, Mattel, and MGA Entertainment.

Anna Knight, VP of Licensing, Informa Markets, said: “We are thrilled that BLE will return in-person this year. The support we’ve received from the industry has been amazing, proving that there is a genuine desire for the brand licensing community to reconnect face-to-face once more.

“We are delighted to welcome so many exhibitors already, including GO-N and The Scouts Store who will be new to the floor for 2021, and a wide range of European brands returning including Sophie La Girafe, FC Barcelona, Sagoo, Spain Licensing Pavilion, Tour de France and many more.”

Yana Esieva, Junior PR Manager, Masha and the Bear, said: “We are extremely happy Brand Licensing Europe will gather us in person again! This tough year made us realise the importance of in-person connections and communication, and now we’re anxiously waiting to reconnect face-to-face with our industry friends and partners.”

The exhibitor list is available to view on the BLE website, here.

Brand Licensing Europe’s character parade to make its in-person return at ExCeL London this November

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The characters will once again be parading as the doors swing open and Brand Licensing Europe sounds out the return of its in-person event at ExCeL London this November, enabling visitors to once again have their photos taken with some of the biggest personalities in the industry.

Making its in-person return this year, and marking the ‘return of normality’, the character parade has become an annual tradition since the concept was created in 2008, and without a doubt one of its most popular attractions. Taking place at 11am on the first day of the show, the parade will feature up to 100 of the industry’s most loved characters.

Over 500 characters have taken part in the parade over the years, including The Gruffalo, Paw Patrol, The Hungry Caterpillar, Sonic the Hedgehog, Peppa Pig, Hello Kitty, Minions, Paddington Bear, The Cookie Monster, The Simpsons, Dennis the Menace, Asterix and many more.

Simon Foulkes, managing director, Rainbow Productions, said: “The BLE character parade has grown dramatically over the years to the point now that it is widely recognised as one of the industry’s red-carpet events. Like anything, its success is in the weeks and months of planning to ensure that each character is accurately animated, each brand is meticulously represented and every costume is presented to maximise its appeal.

“As the clock ticks down to parade-time the atmosphere and tension in the character green room is electric and as lint rollers and velcro-guards get scattered at the exit curtain each character confidently and assuredly steps out to meet the discerning licensing industry to what we hope will once again be rapturous critical acclaim.”

Anne de Galard, producer, Go-N Productions, added: “We’re really happy to see the character parade back again! The first time we ever set foot at BLE, back in 2017, we were new to the world of licensing and merchandising. We were standing in the lobby when the parade began so we got to see the whole procession from start to finish!

“It threw us headfirst into the festive playfulness and vibrant energy of BLE and we’ve been learning more and more about this business since and now Simon (our adorable animated rabbit) is going to be part of the parade this year – a very gratifying and exciting development.”

BLE will also be launching a #paradeyourself campaign on social media in the run up to the event in November, inviting the industry to share selfies taken with the characters over the years. There will be a prize for the best selfie withthe winner being offered the opportunity to be photographed at the front of the parade at BLE 2021.

Posts must include the hashtags #paradeyourself #BLE2021 and @bleurope.

Anna Knight, VP of licensing, Informa Markets, said: “As soon as we announced BLE would be back in-person this year, the one question we were repeatedly asked is ‘will the character parade be coming back?’.

“Thankfully, the answer is a resounding yes and we can’t wait to work with Simon at Rainbow Productions again to bring back the joy cuddling a character brings to so many people.”

BLE’s Retail Mentoring Programme sees record-breaking numbers ahead of application closure this week

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A record breaking 84 delegates from 21 retailers have already signed up to this year’s Brand Licensing Europe’s Retail Mentoring Programme, with applications still being accepted until the closing bell on Friday, May 28th.

The influx of participants in this year’s programme include eight new comers to the scene, with international retailers GameStop and Bershka among the course’s first ever European brands. The increased uptake from overseas retailers has been credited with the offering of a fully virtual as well as hybrid option for this year’s programme.

New retailers to have signed up for the free-to-attend, CPD-accredited course include not only GameStop and Bershka, by Maqio, Merlin Entertainments, RSPCA, The Hut Group, Vanilla Underground, and ZSL. The programme boasts a vast number of high calibre alumni, including the likes of Marks & Spencer, John Lewis, Halfords, Ann Summers, Toymaster, and The Entertainer.

Arleene Rodríguez, licenses department coordinator and buyer at El Corte Inglés, took part in a trial run with European retailers in 2020.

She said: “I would most definitely recommend the Retail Mentoring Programme to other retailers because it’s a great experience. Not only do you get to learn very insightful and helpful things to better understand the industry and how it works, but if you already have some knowledge, you’ll get to review many concepts, see things in a different or new perspective, and of course get to meet a lot of people from the industry that also love the licensing world and can help you see the potential in your business.”

Retail Mentoring Programme delegate benefits include:

  • May: One-hour introductory meeting (virtual)
  • 17 – 18 June, over two half-days: Licensing Essentials Course delivered by Licensing International (virtual)
  • June: The option to virtually drop into Max Publishing’s Licensing Awards judging day and cast a vote
  • August-October: Spend around 2.5 hours on a personalised brand owner experience day (live and/or virtual)
  • 5 November: Half-day Licensing for Retail seminar (live/virtual)
  • 17-19 November: VIP admission to Brand Licensing Europe, where retailers can spend up to three days at Europe’s leading licensing event (live/virtual)

Anna Knight, VP of licensing, Informa Markets, said: “It is amazing that we’ve broken records and over 80 retailers will be joining us on the Retail Mentoring Programme for 2021. It’s no secret that non-essential retail has struggled throughout the pandemic, and the number of entries we have received is reflective of the difference brand licensing can make at retail and the growing trend among consumers to purchase branded product.

“Applications for this year’s programme will remain open until Friday 28 May – 2021 is going to be a pivotal year for retail, so I strongly recommend you don’t miss out.”

Retailers can apply for a free delegate place on the programme here. Applications will remain open until Friday 28 May.

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.”