Jessica Blue will now head up all licensing, including BLE and Licensing Expo.
As part of a commitment to further develop Brand Licensing Europe – both from an exhibitor and visitor perspective – a new management structure and strategy have been unveiled.
Drawing on the global strengths of UBM (which acquired BLE and its sister US show Licensing Expo from Advanstar at the end of last year), the new structure will see Jessica Blue (pictured) heading up all the company’s licensing interests (including Licensing Expo, BLE and NYC Summit) as svp of licensing for UBM Americas.
“I am relishing the opportunity of working with the team to build BLE to even greater heights,” said Jessica.
Other senior management changes include Anna Knight being appointed as brand director for BLE and Charlie Cracknell as head of sales. Both Anna and Charlie are part of the UBM team.
Commenting on her extended transatlantic role, Jessica added: “Anna Knight and I are delighted to be collaborating across the Atlantic to offer exhibitors and attendees new business growth potential, with more opportunities, more marketing support and more access to key partners than ever before.”
Reinforcing the benefits of the new structure, she continued: “Listening to the market with a global perspective and implementing new initiatives with a local approach is going to mean a solid win for attendees, exhibitors and partners.”
Bolstering BLE’s marketing prowess, Laura Freedman-Dagg has become marketing manager for the show, supported by Rhiannon Stubbs, marketing executive.
As part of the restructure, Darren Brechin, who has been event director of BLE for the last few years, has now left the company.
