Deadline for entering new Max Publishing awards is February 3, 2016.
The inaugural Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards are now open for entries.
The new awards – which will reward excellence in brand licensed merchandise, IP management and retail execution – have been launched by Max Publishing.
The entire entry and nomination process will be via online submission through a dedicated new website – www.brandlicensingawards.co.uk.
The deadline for entering is February 3, 2016, following which a validation process for each of the awards sections will take place involving panels of industry experts.
The new event has been welcomed by the industry, with a raft of leading names pledging support, including Brand Licensing Europe as the headline sponsor.
“We are delighted to be the headline sponsor of these inaugural awards, especially as they reflect our commitment to this sector, as testified by the growing Brands and Lifestyle section of our Brand Licensing Europe exhibition,” said Darren Brechin, BLE event director.
Worldwide licensing trade association LIMA also had no hesitation in supporting the event, with LIMA UK md Kelvyn Gardner commenting: “Brands have really stepped up into the licensing limelight, and the Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards will duly recognise the excellence in this field.
“We are proud to build on our existing association with Max Publishing and The Licensing Awards by giving this new awards programme our wholehearted support.”
Other leading industry names confirmed as sponsors include Beanstalk, Discovery Consumer Products, Hallett Retail, Start Licensing, Brands with Influence, Brand Licensing Select, Carte Blanche Group and IFL Science.
The winners of the Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards will be unveiled at a lavish afternoon event at The Dorchester, Park Lane, London on Wednesday April 20, 2016, attended by retailers, licensees, brand owners and licensing representatives.
Ian Hyder and Jakki Brown, joint managing directors of Max Publishing, said: “We have been totally overwhelmed by the level of support and help we have already received in launching the Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards.
“We will do our utmost to ensure that they truly reflect and add further validity to this crucial and growing area of the licensing arena.”
Official media partner for the new awards is Total Brand Licensing, while Kilogrammedia has been appointed to handle the PR.
Createvents is managing the ticketing aspects – all enquiries should be directed at Clare Davies on 01183 340085 or clare@createvents.co.uk.
For sponsorship, details of how to enter and other general enquiries, please contact Ian Hyder on 020 700 6740 or ianh@max-publishing.co.uk.