Brand Licensing Europe has revealed its content programme, packed with keynotes, catwalks, competitions and more.
Featuring daily keynotes, forward-looking panel sessions, retail focused education, 10 catwalk shows, two License This! finals, plus exclusive content for first timers at the show and newcomers to the industry, the content programme aims to offer something for everyone.
Day one and two keynotes have now been unveiled with Mattel president and coo Richard Dickson taking centre stage on Tuesday 20 September with ‘Barbie x Fashion’, followed by ‘Leaders panel: building a post-pandemic retail & licensing strategy’ on Wednesday 21 September when industry leaders will air expectations, hopes and fears for the future of retail, and give insight into long-term opportunities for licensing.
Moderated by Ben Roberts (EMEA content director, License Global), panellists confirmed for the second keynote include Marianne James (vp EMEA and Asia Licensed Consumer Products, Hasbro), Daniel Avener, (ceo, MDR Brand Management) and Jalil Rahman (director of brand partnerships & licensing, Liberty).
The third keynote will be announced imminently.
Also highlighting what’s in store for licensing at retail is ‘Forecasting the future of retail through consumer trends’. Participants include Francesca Lisle (Lisle Licensing), Hannah Craggs (TrendBible) and Abi Wilson (Buying & Design Manager- Celebrations, Sainsbury’s).
New for this year, and the BLE team will hold orientation sessions and show tours at 9:30am on the first two days to help attendees navigate the show floor and make sure they don’t miss any content that’s specifically relevant to them.
In addition, Kelvyn Gardner License This! final pitching will take place over two days, with the Product Design category decided at 11am on Tuesday 20 September, and the Character & Animation and Brand & Design trophies awarded at 10:30am on Thursday 22 September.
“BLE exists to support everyone working in and with the European licensing industry to do better business and identify new opportunities, and that means providing retailers, manufacturers and brand owners with meaningful content, introductions and meetings to drive their businesses forward,” commented Anna Knight, svp licensing at Informa Markets.
“It’s brilliant to be able offer so much new and diverse content to this year’s visitors, in person or online, from our new orientation sessions for first timers, inspiring daily keynotes, and category-specific educational panels on sports and LBE, to hosting 10 fantastic catwalk sessions.”
All seminar sessions and keynotes are free to attend and take place in the License Global theatre on the show floor. More sessions and speakers to follow.
Brand Licensing Europe runs from 20-22 September at London’s ExCeL. Visitor registration is open and can be completed via this link.
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