The Global Licensing Group, the organiser of Licensing Expo, has announced a range of on-demand content is now live, ahead of this year’s virtual event which takes place from 24 – 26 August. There are also over 3,200 meetings already confirmed during the event, which is produced in partnership with industry trade association Licensing International, showing the industry’s need to reconnect with partners and potential clients.
During the virtual expo, attendees from across the licensing community, including retailers, manufacturers and IP owners, will be able to learn and network, as well as arranging deals.
Networking opportunities
Confirmed exhibitors include Pan Am, H3 Sportgear, Global Icons, Country Music Association, Seltzer Licensing Group, Chronicle, The Joester Loria Group, CAA-GBG, Beanstalk, ViacomCBS, tokidoki, Crayola, Peanuts Worldwide, MGM Studios, Games Workshop, Scholastic, WWE, SEGA, Dr Seuss, Activision, Warner Bros, OSearch, Yale University, and over 200 more.
In addition, there will be several companies attending in order to take advantage of the content and networking opportunities, such as Amazon, Bioworld Merchandising, Hot Topic, J&J, Microsoft, pocket.watch, PopSocket, Primark, Ross, rue21, Toys R Us, Walmart and more. Attendees can schedule a meeting with key IP owners from around the world.
“In addition to Licensing Expo Virtual’s endless networking opportunities, we are immensely proud to produce world-class education in partnership with Licensing International,” says Anna Knight, VP of Licensing.
“All on-demand sessions will be going live in the platform from Monday to give attendees the chance to enjoy some of the content ahead of the live event, understand the latest trends, and enjoy the Licensing U program in preparation.
“We are also thrilled to share the highly impressive lineup of live speakers that are a part of the all-new Retail ‘Ask Me Anything’ program, Digital Brand Roadshows, Live Keynotes, Licensing International Excellence Awards and new Sustainability Clinics—speakers, exhibitors and attendees alike are all eager to leverage the upcoming Expo as a platform to explore the many challenges we as an industry have faced over the past 18 months and provide expert-led direction on the new opportunities that have emerged as a result of adversity.”
Educational content
This year’s virtual event will feature many insightful sessions, including the new ‘Ask Me Anything program. This will allow attendees to ask licensing experts their burning questions about brand licensing and retail. The questions can be submitted anonymously ahead of the event and will be answered during the live sessions.
There will also be sessions on-demand, which are available to watch from today. Highlights include “Licensing as a tool for growth and customer engagement in retail”, presented by Julia Redman, Buyer and Consultant at Buyers Eye, “The Experience Economy – from pause to fast-forward”, hosted by Jonathan Watson, CPO at The Insights Family, and “Wayfair’s sustained growth powered by a customer-centric vision and focus on execution”, hosted by Ankit Mangal, Director at Wayfair.
In addition, Licensing Expo Virtual is introducing new Sustainability Clinics, in partnership with Products of Change, meaning that attendees can get advice on eco-friendly business practices from leading experts.
“The Sustainability Clinics are an important addition to this year’s event, as they offer attendees real-world advice on how to navigate this continuing trend,” says Knight. “According to a recent report by Nielsen, the U.S. sustainability market is projected to reach $150 billion by the end of the year – those are figures retailers, and IP owners need to pay attention to.”
Sustainability Clinics are now available to book. Participants confirmed include:
- Andrea Green, Principle, Globally Green Consulting
- Brenda Seto, Ambassador for Canada
- June Kirkwood, Director, Nutmeg Licensing
- Carrie Lomas, CEO, Brand Conscience
- Leonora Aixas Otero, Ambassador for Spain
To view the full agenda for Licensing Expo Virtual, please click here.
The Global Licensing Group also recently announced the first exhibitors to be confirmed for Brand Licensing Europe, taking place from 17 – 19 November. Attending for the first time will be The Scouts, GO-N and Roadsign, who will join big names such as Hasbro, Mattell, Smiley and FC Barcelona.
