Tag Archives: Informa Markets

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.

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

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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.