The submissions window has opened for this year’s Kelvyn Gardner’s License This! competition.
The popular competition, which has been the springboard for many successful brands and careers over the years, is free to enter and closes at 5pm on 28 August.
Organised by Brand Licensing Europe and License Global, the competition propels illustrators, publishers, designers or animators with unlicensed brands into the spotlight, helping them break into the lucrative $340+ billion global brand licensing industry, secure new deals and/or agent representation.
Applicants are required to submit a written overview, video pitch and detailed vision explaining why their brand is suitable for licensing. The video is replacing the live pitch, which previously took place in front of the judges at BLE.
This year’s judging panel will review the entries based on:
- Level of ingenuity
- Licensing potential
- Alignment with today’s marketplace
- Why it’s unique
This year, the judging will take place ahead of BLE with the winner and three runners-up announced on stage ahead of the day one opening keynote on Wednesday 4 October.
The winner will receive over £7,000 of free exposure and promotional support to help develop their brand.
This year’s judging panel will be chaired by Robyn Cowling, licensing consultant/brand director, Rocky Horror Show at Golden Goose. The panel will include Sarah Lawrence (This is Iris); Dale Boreham (Moonpig); Teri Niadna (Brandgenuity); Dan Grant (Danilo); Billy Langsworthy (Mojo Nation & Brands Untapped); Maxine Lister (Natural History Museum); Sabrina Segalov (Sanrio); Emily Fawcett (Abysse); Clare Piggott (Larkshead Licensing); Charlie Langhorne (Wild in Art); Phil King (Trademark Products); Ben Roberts (License Global); and Ian Hart (License Global).
“The Kelvyn Gardner License This! competition invites aspiring creators and entrepreneurs to unleash their imagination and propose innovative ideas that could shape the future of licensing, it is fantastic to see this in its infancy and be a part of the process,” commented Sabrina Segalov, senior licensing manager at Sanrio Global. “I am really keen to see submissions that, whilst being current and relevant, have a vision to ensure longevity and be around for many years to come.”
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.
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