Brand Licensing Europe has revealed Nails.INC founder Thea Green MBE as the event’s day two keynote (5 October).
Thea (pictured) launched Nails.INC in 1999 and it is now the UK’s leading and multi-award-winning, British beauty brand, turning over $137 million in 2021.
Renowned for its first-to-market attitude, Nails.INC was the first ever US style nail bar to open in the UK and introduced the idea of experiential retail to many.
Nails.INC has also nurtured inspired licensing collaborations with everyone from Victoria Beckham in 2014 to Marks & Spencer’s iconic Percy Pig, Velveeta, Magnum ice creams, Alexa Chung, Diet Coke, The Summer I Turned Pretty and – most recently – Fruit Loops.
At BLE, Thea will join License Global’s Ben Roberts for a fireside chat covering: trends driving the unstoppable growth of the health and beauty industry; how to successfully deliver retailtainment and brand engagement in-store; Nails.INC’s growth plans at home and abroad; tips for surviving the rollercoaster that is retail, including the role of brand partnerships as a differentiator and tool for attracting new customers; and how to select the best/right licensing partners and how a great partnership can exceed the sum of its parts.
“It’s such a privilege to speak at BLE – this will be our first year attending as a brand and I’m so looking forward to being a part of this event,” said Thea Green MBE. “Nails.INC have really embraced collaborations in recent years as we’re finding that it’s such a great way to entice and engage new and existing customers. Our collabs have gone from the crazy Velveeta cheese-scented polish and stickers, to the number one toy brand Squishmallows, to our more recent Froot Loops scented neons.”
Thea will take to the stage in the License Global Theatre at 12pm on Thursday 5 October.
Ella Haynes, BLE event director, commented: “Valued at $427 billion, the global beauty industry is huge and on an unstoppable growth trajectory. The ‘lipstick effect’ is a well-known economic predictor, and it appears this has helped the beauty industry to be pandemic proof and cost-of-living immune.
“Health and beauty licensing is also a growing market. Licensing International valued it at $12.34bn in 2022, up 7% year on year and accounting for 4% of the entire global licensing industry. Thea Green has been innovative across both sectors for years – her keynote will be an inspirational watch for brands, retailers and manufacturers.”
The BLE 2023 agenda – now complete with speakers and participants – is available to view online. All sessions are free to attend and focus on the trends defining brand licensing, extensions and collaborations with sector specific sessions covering gaming, Location Based Experiences, fashion, food & beverage, anime and animation.
Brand Licensing Europe takes place from 4-6 October 2023 at London’s ExCeL. Visitor registration is now open. Simply click here for further details.
Want to read more news like this? Simply sign up to our daily digest by clicking here. You can also follow @LicensingSource on Twitter and @licensing_source on Instagram.
