The Autumn 2021 issue of the Licensing Source Book is now available to read online.
As we head towards the end of the year, thoughts have understandably turned to Christmas and, hopefully, the big celebrations that we’ll be able to have with extended family and friends.
After last year’s curtailment of festivities, this was the key point which came up when we asked a selection of licensees what they were hoping for most as we approach 25 December. Coming back together to celebrate after what has been another rollercoaster of a year for businesses across all sectors is much needed and, for many, can’t come soon enough.
If 2021 has been about getting back on track for many businesses, then 2022 is the year they are looking to forge ahead. Hopes include supply chains settling down, enough stock making it to retail, an end to freight cost extortion and more regularised factory lead times.
Encouragingly, many of the licensees we spoke to have ambitious plans for the coming year – whether that be new launches and projects, entering new categories, expanding into fresh territories, recruitment drives or sustainability initiatives.
Getting back to more face-to-face meetings – with colleagues and partners – plus the welcome return of Toy Fair, Spielwarenmesse and Spring Fair, is also helping to fuel the optimism and positivity in the industry.
But first, there’s Brand Licensing Europe and it is promising to be a stellar return to ExCeL for the show. Kudos has to go to the team at Informa Markets which has worked so hard to build a three-day fair which offers something for everyone, while juggling the health and safety aspects so that exhibitors and visitors can enjoy its return.
We’re looking forward to seeing everyone at the show (our stand is A217) and then it will also be time for Team Max to take a breath, open the fizz and raise a glass to everything that’s been achieved this year and everyone who has come through it.
Also in this issue you can find exclusive interviews with Paul Bufton from NBCUniversal; Daniel Avener, ceo of MDR Brand Management (and newly crowned Brand Ambassador); Michael Riley from WildBrain; Ashley Holman from ToyTopic; and Character.com’s Karen Hewitt.
We also invited four senior executives from ViacomCBS Consumer Products to share their experiences from their respective territories, as well as catching up with the teams at Drew Pearson International, Cyber Group Studios and The Flying Scotsman.
You can also relive The Licensing Awards and the Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards with a full run down of the respective winners and some well chosen pictures from the events.
All this and more, plus our regular contributions from The Insights Family, Adam Bass and Simon Gresswell.
The edition also comes with two special publications – we mark 40 years of classic brand, Care Bears, with Cloudco Entertainment and Bulldog Licensing, plus we take a look at how Hasbro is super charging its stories into 2022 and beyond.
We’ve also highlighted the vital Services & Suppliers sector of the licensing business in our special 2021/2022 guide.
