Execs from NVCP, Jazwares, Natural History Museum among those on the panel this year.
The line-up of judges for this year’s License This competition at Brand Licensing Europe has been confirmed.
LIMA UK md Kelvyn Gardner will chair the panel and will be joined by:
- Tom Gunn, Senior International Brand Director, Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products
- Jane Evans, Director, JELC
- Sam Ferguson, Senior Director of Licensing & Retail, Jazwares
- Pat Reading, Licensing Director, UU Ltd
- Max Lister, Senior Licensing Manager, Natural History Museum
- Clare Piggot, Director of Licensing and Merchandising, Larkshead Media
Kelvyn commented: “As the second annual LIMA survey demonstrates, retail sales of licensed products are increasing year on year. Platforms like License This, which expose new talent to industry executives, are therefore essential for the future development of the industry.
“I am looking forward to working with my fellow judges to review this year’s creations.”
Now in its seventh year, License This offers new creative concepts or brands the chance to break into the global licensing industry.
It is open to anyone with a concept that has yet to be published or broadcast, or a brand that has not yet extended to non-core consumer products. It applies to any new property with its roots in publishing, art and design, television or digital media.
Entries are reviewed by the panel of judges, and a shortlist of four properties are then pitched to them in front of visitors at BLE on October 13. The winner will receive a prize worth over £6,000, including a fully furnished stand at BLE 2017 in order to bring the property to market. They will also receive LIMA membership for one year and a ticket to the LIMA Licensing Essentials Course & Spring Fling Networking Party in May 2017.
The competition has provided a successful launch platform for many past winners, including Pink Chillies, RaNT! and Mr Trafalgar, who have gone on to sign licensing agreements as a result.
OiDroids (pictured), a range of collectable pop out and build robot characters aimed at the pocket money sector, was crowned 2015 winner. Visitors can meet the OiDroids team at this year’s show as it brings the property to market on its prize stand in the Art, Design & Image Zone.
Entry forms and competition rules can be found at www.brandlicensing.eu. Deadline for entries is September 9 2016.
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