Licensing Expo facilitates 3,000+ meetings

The global licensing community is ready to re-convene at Licensing Expo, held this May 24-26 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, for its first in-person gathering since 2019.

To date, 3,000+ meetings have been confirmed on the event’s online platform. Thousands of registered guests are leveraging the online platform as a strategic tool to preemptively book meetings in advance of the in-person event before schedules fill up, guaranteeing face-to-face time with brands of interest. Visitors are encouraged to register here to access the online platform and proactively plan their agenda.

Even with less than two weeks remaining, registration numbers continue to rise with big-box retailers and world-class manufacturers signing on to meet directly with the owners of the world’s biggest brands, discover the latest trends, sift through the hottest IPs available for license, learn from industry experts, and network with peers.

Among the latest registrants to sign up are Wayfair, Urban Decay Cosmetics (L’Oréal), TJX, Burlington Stores, H&M, Forever 21, Aldi, AMC Theatres, Build-a-Bear Workshop, Claire’s Accessories,Paladone Products, Rue21, Moleskine, General Mills, Kohl’s, Levi Strauss & Co, Panini Spa, and Super RTL GmbH.

Notably, large groups from Mad Engine, Hallmark, Bioworld, Hot Topic, Target, Walmart, Centric Brands, and Jakks Pacific have registered and will be walking the show floor to meet and network with the 230-plus exhibitors.

“As we emerge from the pandemic, we’re seeing licensing take off as a strategic approach to meet consumers where they are and enhance their experience with the brands they love,” says Anna Knight, SVP of the Global Licensing Group. “There is so much pent-up demand for an in-person event of Licensing Expo’s scale and breadth across categories, especially as retailers and manufacturers search out new ways to engage with their customers in a more meaningful and intentional way.

“Meetings are being booked faster than they ever have before – if you haven’t accessed the online platform yet, we encourage you to do so to set yourself up for success and ensure a productive time on-site.”

While historically, entertainment and characters have dominated the $292 billion global licensing industry, emergent categories increasingly harness the power of brand extension strategies to reach new audiences and build a loyal fan base. This cross-category investment in licensing is reflected by the wide range of brands confirmed for the upcoming event, ranging from art and design, gaming and eSports, fashion and apparel, toys and kids, sports, technology, to location-based entertainment.

The latest exhibitors confirmed to participate include Microcosmic International LA Inc., IMC TOYS (CRY BABIES), Dipit, High Times, Death Row Records x Snoop Dogg, National Basketball Association,2nd Coming Comix / The Bunker Media Group, Get Down Art, Drizzle Art, Dylan Sky, All Star Kid LLC, Merry Marble Trees, Dancing Lemurs, BM Srl, Garena Free Fire and BenjiLock, LLC. New brands exhibiting their portfolio of licensable IPs include Jazwares, LAI Games, Netflix, and Riot Games. The full exhibitor list can be found here.

“Squishmallows has taken the world by storm as an industry-leading lifestyle brand that’s grown well beyond the toy aisle,” says Judd Karofsky, Executive Vice President of Jazwares, a highly sought-after new exhibitor. “As a first-time Licensing Expo exhibitor, we couldn’t be more thrilled to showcase the power of our brand and the infinite opportunities Squishmallows bring to our world-class licensing partners and beyond.”

Some of the most prominent IPs exhibitors will showcase include The Batman, Coca-Cola, Keith HaringCatan, Elden Ring, Pac-Man, Peppa Pig, Call of Duty, Black & Decker, Volvo, Xbox, Cap’n Crunch,Care Bears, Sesame Street, Hot Ones, Bob Marley, The Smurfs, The Walking Dead, The Cat in the Hat, Monopoly, Space Invaders, League of Legends, KFC, NBA, Casa de Papel, Star Trek, RugratsPaul Frank, Variety, Rolling Stone, Ryan’s World, and Cocomelon. Overall, thousands of IPs will be displayed across the show floor.

 

Licensing Expo 2022 delivers on commitment to sustainability with Products of Change

The Global Licensing Group, organisers of Licensing Expo, today announced a continuation of its strategic partnership with Products of Change (POC), a global educational hub aimed at driving sustainable change across the consumer product markets and beyond.

Returning as an instrumental partner following last year’s successful implementation at Brand & Licensing Innovation Summit (B&LIS) Europe and Brand Licensing Europe, the expanded initiative represents an ongoing commitment to facilitate industry-wide change and help as many as possible across the industry to take the first steps into their sustainability journey.

Licensing Expo and Products of Change will be delivering two free-to-attend sessions in the live theatre:

  • Sustainability 101: A deep dive into the science behind why sustainable transformation is vital for business future prosperity. Helena Mansell-Stopher, CEO at Products of Change, and Andrea Green, Principle at Globally Green and POC’s US Ambassador, will explain why we need to transition business and fundamental guiding principles to build a sustainable framework.
  • Sustainability in Licensing: Manufacturers and brand owners will share their sustainability journey thus far, their strategic plans, and areas of collaboration to move the industry forward.

Furthermore, all attendees and exhibitors have access to the Sustainability Business Lounge to arrange 121 Clinics with Products of Change experts and consultants and receive free counsel on where to focus their long-term sustainability efforts. Meetings will be scheduled on a first-come-first-serve basis and can be booked in the dedicated Meetings Platform available to all registered attendees – the online platform will be accessible from April 11.

Alongside the robust education made available to all event participants, Licensing Expo and Products of Change are dedicating significant resources to bring sustainability and DEI to the forefront to drive long-lasting change, encompassing:

  • Measuring and reducing carbon footprint: Top-line commitments for 2023 include managing waste streams, from significantly reducing carpet on the expo floor to identifying digital alternatives to signage and printed materials.
  • Hosting activations that showcase real-world examples of how licensed products can be produced ethically and using sustainable methods while remaining visually stimulating, on-brand, and commercially viable.
  • Providing a platform to amplify diverse voices, working in tandem with Black Lives Matter Licensing, Products of Change, Women in Toys, and other relevant organisations
  • Holding the License This! competition at Licensing Expo and BLE to elevate voices and brands that lack the investment or experience needed to broker licensing deals.
  • Running a Retail Mentoring Program for junior retail buyers. A year-long program that consists of seminars, coaching and mentoring, brand owner site visits, and expo passes to encourage the younger generation to pursue future career opportunities in the retail space.

“Sustainability and DEI are top of mind for us as leaders in the trade show sector; its critical to model behavior that drives real progress and deeply roots sustainable practices in the industries we serve,” says Anna Knight, SVP of the Global Licensing Group, Informa Markets. “We are so proud to renew and strengthen our partnership with Products of Change to, first, spread awareness of the long-lasting impact each individual can have on our planet’s health, followed by instilling sustainability into the core of each business’ operations. Our ambition is for the licensing industry to lead by example, encouraging others to follow suit, and we look forward to laying the foundation at Licensing Expo.”

Helena Mansell-Stopher, CEO, Products of Change adds, “With the lack of in-person events over the last two years, Licensing Expo is going to be a celebration of the industry coming back together globally, pivotal to this is how we future proof the industry as consumers mindset shifts and technology advances. Because of this, POC is proud to partner with the Global Licensing Group to highlight the importance of transitioning the industry to a sustainable future. Attendees can join the POC team for 121 in-person clinics in the Sustainability Business Lounge to see how the industry is advancing and take advantage of a variety of panels and debates on the Licensing University theatre throughout the three days. Sustainability is a global challenge, and I can’t wait to see how we can advance the industry together.

“It’s been great to work with the Global Licensing Group on ways they can make their events – Licensing Expo, Brand Licensing Europe, Brand & Licensing Innovation Summits – more sustainable. From the ‘Better Stands’ initiatives to a reduction in printed materials, through to the significant reduction of carpet at Licensing Expo, this year is a huge step in the right direction for the events’ industry and one that we highly commend Informa Markets for taking as market leaders.”

In 2021, B&LIS Europe and Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) welcomed POC as a strategic partner to the Global Licensing Group to promote actions the broader licensing community has already taken. The joint efforts included:

  • Producing a 2,000 square foot Sustainability Activation Feature – the activation was the single most visited stand at the event.
  • Elevated notoriously unsustainable categories within the licensing industry, using real-world illustrations and products to showcase progress in these groups. An example included showing how an apparel company could switch from producing fabric samples to using 3D modeling.
  • POC experts ran a 121 Sustainability Clinic to provide strategic guidance on how attendees and exhibitors alike can take a more sustainable-focused approach to business.

“We’re conscious of the various societal concerns that the licensing and trade show industries, often unconsciously, contribute to and recognise the value of working with our peers to solve big challenges,” says Anna Knight. “We invite you to join us at Licensing Expo this May and engage with the education available, learn about sustainable and inclusive practices, and reflect on what you can do to drive progress. In time, our collective efforts will catalyse real progress.”

To learn more about the sustainability and DEI initiatives at Licensing Expo and secure a free visitor pass for the upcoming event held May 24-26, visit www.licensingexpo.com.

 

Licensing Expo 2022 delivers on commitment to sustainability with Products of Change

The Global Licensing Group, organisers of Licensing Expo, today announced a continuation of its strategic partnership with Products of Change (POC), a global educational hub aimed at driving sustainable change across the consumer product markets and beyond.

Returning as an instrumental partner following last year’s successful implementation at Brand & Licensing Innovation Summit (B&LIS) Europe and Brand Licensing Europe, the expanded initiative represents an ongoing commitment to facilitate industry-wide change and help as many as possible across the industry to take the first steps into their sustainability journey.

Licensing Expo and Products of Change will be delivering two free-to-attend sessions in the live theatre:

  • Sustainability 101: A deep dive into the science behind why sustainable transformation is vital for business future prosperity. Helena Mansell-Stopher, CEO at Products of Change, and Andrea Green, Principle at Globally Green and POC’s US Ambassador, will explain why we need to transition business and fundamental guiding principles to build a sustainable framework.
  • Sustainability in Licensing: Manufacturers and brand owners will share their sustainability journey thus far, their strategic plans, and areas of collaboration to move the industry forward.

Furthermore, all attendees and exhibitors have access to the Sustainability Business Lounge to arrange 121 Clinics with Products of Change experts and consultants and receive free counsel on where to focus their long-term sustainability efforts. Meetings will be scheduled on a first-come-first-serve basis and can be booked in the dedicated Meetings Platform available to all registered attendees – the online platform will be accessible from April 11.

Alongside the robust education made available to all event participants, Licensing Expo and Products of Change are dedicating significant resources to bring sustainability and DEI to the forefront to drive long-lasting change, encompassing:

  • Measuring and reducing carbon footprint: Top-line commitments for 2023 include managing waste streams, from significantly reducing carpet on the expo floor to identifying digital alternatives to signage and printed materials.
  • Hosting activations that showcase real-world examples of how licensed products can be produced ethically and using sustainable methods while remaining visually stimulating, on-brand, and commercially viable.
  • Providing a platform to amplify diverse voices, working in tandem with Black Lives Matter Licensing, Products of Change, Women in Toys, and other relevant organisations
  • Holding the License This! competition at Licensing Expo and BLE to elevate voices and brands that lack the investment or experience needed to broker licensing deals.
  • Running a Retail Mentoring Program for junior retail buyers. A year-long program that consists of seminars, coaching and mentoring, brand owner site visits, and expo passes to encourage the younger generation to pursue future career opportunities in the retail space.

“Sustainability and DEI are top of mind for us as leaders in the trade show sector; its critical to model behavior that drives real progress and deeply roots sustainable practices in the industries we serve,” says Anna Knight, SVP of the Global Licensing Group, Informa Markets. “We are so proud to renew and strengthen our partnership with Products of Change to, first, spread awareness of the long-lasting impact each individual can have on our planet’s health, followed by instilling sustainability into the core of each business’ operations. Our ambition is for the licensing industry to lead by example, encouraging others to follow suit, and we look forward to laying the foundation at Licensing Expo.”

Helena Mansell-Stopher, CEO, Products of Change adds, “With the lack of in-person events over the last two years, Licensing Expo is going to be a celebration of the industry coming back together globally, pivotal to this is how we future proof the industry as consumers mindset shifts and technology advances. Because of this, POC is proud to partner with the Global Licensing Group to highlight the importance of transitioning the industry to a sustainable future. Attendees can join the POC team for 121 in-person clinics in the Sustainability Business Lounge to see how the industry is advancing and take advantage of a variety of panels and debates on the Licensing University theatre throughout the three days. Sustainability is a global challenge, and I can’t wait to see how we can advance the industry together.

“It’s been great to work with the Global Licensing Group on ways they can make their events – Licensing Expo, Brand Licensing Europe, Brand & Licensing Innovation Summits – more sustainable. From the ‘Better Stands’ initiatives to a reduction in printed materials, through to the significant reduction of carpet at Licensing Expo, this year is a huge step in the right direction for the events’ industry and one that we highly commend Informa Markets for taking as market leaders.”

In 2021, B&LIS Europe and Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) welcomed POC as a strategic partner to the Global Licensing Group to promote actions the broader licensing community has already taken. The joint efforts included:

  • Producing a 2,000 square foot Sustainability Activation Feature – the activation was the single most visited stand at the event.
  • Elevated notoriously unsustainable categories within the licensing industry, using real-world illustrations and products to showcase progress in these groups. An example included showing how an apparel company could switch from producing fabric samples to using 3D modeling.
  • POC experts ran a 121 Sustainability Clinic to provide strategic guidance on how attendees and exhibitors alike can take a more sustainable-focused approach to business.

“We’re conscious of the various societal concerns that the licensing and trade show industries, often unconsciously, contribute to and recognise the value of working with our peers to solve big challenges,” says Anna Knight. “We invite you to join us at Licensing Expo this May and engage with the education available, learn about sustainable and inclusive practices, and reflect on what you can do to drive progress. In time, our collective efforts will catalyse real progress.”

To learn more about the sustainability and DEI initiatives at Licensing Expo and secure a free visitor pass for the upcoming event held May 24-26, visit www.licensingexpo.com.

 

Laura Freedman-Dagg appointed Head of Retail, Licensing, by Global Licensing Group

Global Licensing Group has appointed Laura Freedman-Dagg to the newly created role Head of Retail, Licensing.

Prior to taking maternity leave, Laura held the position of event manager, Brand Licensing Europe, where she was integral in growing the trade show’s retail proposition, successfully attracting an increasing number of high-quality European retailers to attend the event each year.

In her new role as Head of Retail, Licensing, Laura will work across the business’s global event portfolio, including Licensing Expo, the European and North American Brand & Licensing Innovation Summits and Brand Licensing Europe, to continue to deliver incredible content and meaningful meetings for retailers and exhibitors.

“The new Head of Retail role reflects the continued investment from Informa Markets to focus on driving retail attendance at our industry-leading licensing events,” says Anna Knight, VP, Licensing.

“We know from talking to our customers that meeting and engaging with retailers is a huge priority for them, hence our introduction of many new initiatives over the last few years, including the Retail Mentoring Programme, Retail Trends Lounge with exclusive content sessions, VIP matchmaking concierge service, category specific show features (publishing, heritage and interiors and gaming) and the focus on location based experiences planned for Licensing Expo 2022.

“Equally, retailers also rely on our events to facilitate introductions between them and brand owners. As BLE event manager, Laura nurtured incredible relationships with key retailers, and I know she’ll continue to deliver ROI for them and our exhibitors and partners.”

Laura Freedman-Dagg added, “It’s brilliant to be back working with the Global Licensing Group. I loved developing the BLE retail proposition, and to be able to recreate that globally across our other event brands will be fantastic.

“One thing I’ve learnt over the years is that the retail buying calendar isn’t homogenous so it’s important that the whole portfolio of Global Licensing Group events can deliver value when – and where – it’s needed. Not only do we have world-class events already scheduled in the calendar, but we also have the reach and flexibility to innovate and introduce new, creative solutions.

“Our ethos has always been to stay close to our customers (retailers and exhibitors) so that we can understand what the market needs from us and act quickly to deliver it. This role will allow to us to do this even more effectively.”

Licensing Expo 2021 confirms all virtual event with plans for in-person return in 2022

The Las Vegas Licensing Expo is now to be a fully virtual experience, Informa Market’s Global Licensing Group has confirmed this week, with plans now in place to return to its in-person format for 2022.

“We’ve heard from our industry, and the best way to serve the international market in 2021 is to provide in-person experiences later this year, as well as a rich online experience that everyone can be a part of this summer,” said Anna Knight, vice president, licensing, Informa Markets.

“We’ve all felt the impact of not being able to gather in-person in 2020, and while the speed of recovery is promising, we serve a truly global market. Feedback from Licensing Expo customers and partners indicate that August is still too soon for the majority of the licensing community to properly plan and execute participation in an in-person event of this size and magnitude with continued restrictions on international and corporate travel.

“Our mission remains to create the most valuable platforms for our industry to connect and grow, and therefore we have decided to focus our efforts on our virtual experience in August, followed by in-person events in Q4 and beyond.”

Licensing Expo Virtual is now set to take place August 24-26, 2021 as a free-to-attend event supported by a robust online platform that allows exhibitors and visitors to schedule and host meetings, enjoy on-demand content and thought leadership and search and discover a range of properties available for license.

Maura Regan, president, Licensing International, exclusive sponsor of the virtual event, said: “Licensing International’s mission is to serve the licensing industry, help advance our member’s business and celebrate our successes as an industry. Licensing Expo Virtual does all of that and we are proud to be the exclusive sponsor.”

Licensing Expo Virtual will offer curated matchmaking, digital brand roadshows, the Licensing University, a host of world renowned keynotes, and Licensing International’s highly anticipated Licensing Excellence Awards.

Following Licensing Expo Virtual will be the inaugural Brand & Licensing Innovation Summit U.S. (Oct. 27-28, 2021), which will take place live and in-person in New York City at Convene Liberty Street.

Then in November, Brand Licensing Europe will take place live and in-person at ExCeL London on Nov. 17-19, 2021, with an online event following two weeks later (Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2021). To make online participation and navigation seamless, BLE will also use the same platform as Licensing Expo Virtual.

B&LIS and BLE in-person events will be organized in accordance with Informa’s AllSecure health and safety standards designed to ensure all participants can attend safely and with confidence.

Licensing Expo will return to Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev., on May 24-26, 2022.

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

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