The first edition of Licensing Source Book in 2025 is now available to read online – along with a special publication celebrating Peter Rabbit, plus the Licensing Museum & Heritage Book.
Welcome to the first edition of Licensing Source Book in 2025 – we hope that you had a marvellous festive period and are feeling rested and energised and ready for the next 12 months.
The beginning of a new year offers us the chance, while not necessarily to start with a completely clean slate, but more to identify what we liked and what worked over the last year that we want to bring with us and develop.
Speaking to a wide range of brand owners and licensees for this edition, it’s clear they all have their own versions of this. It’s fair to say that 2024 was a pretty mixed bag – there were some definite wins, both big and small, for many companies, but equally the challenges have by no means disappeared, particularly on the licensee side, having to deal with continued impacted supply lines, disrupted shipping and rising material costs.
But – and accuse us of being glass half full rather than half empty here – after reading all the comments from the industry for this issue, the team at Licensing Source Book is rather excited about 2025 and the potential it offers. Words such as ‘bumper’, ‘very encouraging’, ‘a strong start’, ‘positive’ and, this might be our favourite, ‘our strongest year yet’ from licensees are music to our ears (pages 30-33). Licensors are equally as encouraging, with those we spoke to for our industry roundtable (pages 22-27) confident that the global licensing industry can enjoy a year of growth in 2025. As one pointed out, content may vary and evolve from entertainment to anime, sports, gaming and more, but the appetite from the consumer is there for everyone to capture when it comes to licensed merchandise.
Adding to our positive vibes is the growth and innovation being seen in the museum and heritage sector – which we explore in-depth in Licensing Museum & Heritage Book. This is a category which has really come of age and the confidence being shown in the high profile deals, out of the ordinary collaborations and product innovation is inspiring.
We also explore the wonderful World of Peter Rabbit in our dedicated publication, looking ahead to two major milestones for the brand – 160 years of Beatrix Potter in 2026 and 125 years of Peter Rabbit in 2027. You can read more here and stay tuned for a fuller look later in the week.
This issue also features exclusive interviews with Aykroyds and Craft Buddy, as well as focuses on Pokémon, Science Museum Group, design trends and the smash hit that is Wicked.
Plus, a spring issue wouldn’t be complete without a look at London Toy Fair, Spielwarenmesse, Spring Fair, New York Toy Fair and Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids. You can read more by clicking on this link.
Don’t forget too, entries for the Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards 2025 are open until 6 March (page 79).
We hope you enjoy the issue and the team will see you on the spring trade fair circuit.
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