We chat to Robert Marick, vp of US licensing & global location based entertainment at Discovery Consumer Products.
What will be your main focuses at Licensing Expo this year?
We have a few key areas of focus this year. One is our Discovery Adventures line. This revamped line seeks to ignite the adventurous spirit in all of us by providing products, experiences and services that help consumers engage with the world around them.
The brand is for spirited adventurers who enjoy camping, travel and the outdoors. With products like hardy bags, portable chairs, travel cups, battery operated fans and travel notebooks, the shop will serve as a one stop shop for all curious travelers ready to begin exploring the world.
Additionally, we are working on Say Yes to the Dress special occasion and Say Yes to the Prom collections. The lines will be based on the popular TLC franchise Say Yes to the Dress which millions of viewers tune in to watch each week to experience the meaningful moment a bride-to-be says ‘yes to the dress’.
We want to give every teen and woman the opportunity to feel their best and experience their own transformative ‘say yes’ moment. The lines will offer dresses, accessories, handbags, jewelry and cosmetics, providing women of all ages the opportunity to celebrate meaningful occasions with the perfect look.
We will also continue to focus on the Discovery Kids consumer products’ brand which is about inspiring curiosity while providing interactive and entertaining experiences filled with fun, discovery and adventure. We hope to add new licensees that fit with our mission and complement our existing product line.
How important is Licensing Expo in your overall business? What benefits do you get from exhibiting there?
Our ultimate goal is to deliver products that strengthen our brands by offering consumers the chance to deepen their connections with their favorite Discovery network, TV program or personality.
As a global brand, Licensing Expo provides us a way to connect with a variety of different partners to achieve our goals but also interact with our other licensing and retail partners around the world like Latin America, Europe and Asia.
How strong is the US licensing industry in general at the moment, do you think? Do you see any trends emerging?
One of the trends we are seeing is an increase in the popularity of experiential licensing. Consumers today want to interact with brands on a much deeper level. They have a new expectation and demand for truly exciting, immersive and interactive experiences that give them a connection and the ability to touch, feel and live the brands they love.
Our location based entertainment division offers consumers the opportunity to take the Discovery experience beyond the TV screen with a variety of unique and adventurous programs. Programs like Discovery at Sea with Princess Cruises, offers a memorable vacation experience for the whole family to enjoy that includes themed tours, science activities, hands-on programs and games based on hit Discovery Networks programming.
We also have a program called Discovery Destinations which is a collection of distinct, destination properties uniquely positioned to deliver guests an extraordinary vacation experience.
What’s the one thing that you are looking forward to most about Licensing Expo this year? What would you most like to achieve at the show the year?
We’re thrilled to be launching Discovery Adventures and Say Yes to the Dress special occasion and Say Yes to the Prom collections this year.
As mentioned, we’re really looking to find partners that can really help us strengthen our brands with products that offer consumers the chance to deepen their connections with their favorite Discovery network, TV program or talent.
