The Global Licensing Group, the organiser of Licensing Expo, has revealed that this year’s opening keynote on 24 May will be delivered by Paramount and VaynerMedia, two of the world’s largest and most respected brands in the entertainment and NFT industries. Licensing Expo 2022 will take place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas from 24 – 26 May.
During the opening session, Pam Kaufman, president of consumer products and experiences for Paramount, and Gary Vaynerchuk, chairman of VaynerX, the CEO of VaynerMedia and the creator and CEO of VeeFriends, will discuss the future of licensing in today’s highly connected society.
Exploring digital opportunities
This year’s opening keynote will explore opportunities for the $292-billion licensing industry and will feature key insights and takeaways for attendees, elevating how and where brands reach consumers.
“Brand extension and the burgeoning digital space are a perfect match; there are so many opportunities for IP owners to engage with consumers in ways we couldn’t even have fathomed a few years ago, like NFTs,” says Anna Knight, SVP of the Global Licensing Group.
“Technology is a game-changer for the licensing industry, catalyzing new ways for brand owners across categories to meet consumers across the globe on whatever platform they’re on and create new revenue streams.
“We are so excited to share the news that Gary and Pam, two of the world’s most respected experts in their fields, will address the Licensing Expo community to discuss what’s next for our dynamic industry – this will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you won’t want to miss.”
“We are thrilled to share this keynote presentation with the licensing community,” adds Maura Regan, president of Licensing International.
“Education is part of our ongoing work to foster the growth and expansion of licensing around the world, and also a cornerstone of Licensing Expo. Pam and Gary are innovators in their fields and their expertise and insights will inspire the Licensing Expo audience, driving the business forward.”
More expert insights
Following this, the second-day keynote will be delivered by executives from Falcon’s Beyond, Robert L. Ward, Moonbug, and Bay Laurel Advisors (moderator). The panel will be discussing “From Dream to Reality: The Power of Brand Licensing for Location-Based Entertainment.”
“Licensing opens so many opportunities across categories for IP owners, retailers, and manufacturers alike to reach new audiences, a recurring theme throughout this year’s keynote presentations,” says Knight. “People are looking to experience again, and location-based experiences (LBE) and digital collectibles, for example, are becoming increasingly popular no matter what industry you’re in.”
Registration for the event is open on the Licensing Expo website.
A list of exhibitors was also recently announced for Licensing Expo, featuring household names such as Crayola, Mattel and The Pokémon Company.
