The summer 2023 edition of the Licensing Source Book is now available to read online – along with special publications celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Van Gogh Museum and MGA Entertainment’s bumper growth in the licensing space.
If there’s one thing guaranteed to make pretty much anyone in the UK smile, it’s the sun coming out. From retailers, who know that consumers will be heading out to enjoy the weather and will be more likely to spend; to licensees, who will be hopeful their products are what the consumers are spending their money on; to the team at Max Publishing, who might or might not currently be thinking of cold pints/glasses of wine in beer gardens.
Speaking to a selection of licensees across all categories for this issue, there is certainly an air of ‘green shoots and positivity’, as one described it. There are also hopes that by the time summer really arrives, some serious headway will have been made to clear the stock hangover that has been clogging up many retail supply chains. The ultimate wish for many is then a period of stability for the industry as we head towards Q3 and the all-important Q4.
Speaking of stability, the block building powerhouse that is Minecraft has firmly cemented itself as an evergreen brand, knocking on the door of its 15th anniversary in 2024. We were lucky enough to get an audience with Federico San Martin, global head of consumer products, ahead of his keynote at Licensing Expo in June and his enthusiasm for the brand is infectious.
So too is that of Netflix’s senior director of consumer products EMEA, Filippo Zuffada, who shared an amazing story which showcases just how much emotional attachment fans have with the streaming giant’s brands and underlined the whole point of not just Netflix’s CP programme, but any CP programme. “It’s not about making a quick buck; it’s about integrating the fandom and finding ways to connect to people in a meaningful way,” he told us.
A desire to connect fans with the art of Vincent Van Gogh has also led the Van Gogh Museum – which is celebrating its 50th anniversary – to a host of innovative yet meaningful collaborations. You can read all about these in our 16-page special publication with this issue, and find out how the Museum and its local agents have helped partners to be inspired by the various themes running through Vincent’s work.
Inspiration also comes in spades from the creativeness, vision and sheer determination of Isaac Larian, MGA’s founder and ceo. You can read more on the company’s developments within the licensing space in our special focus by clicking here.
The ultimate message from many in this issue is one of connection. For the team at Max, we’re looking forward to connecting with as many of you as possible at Licensing Expo, most likely with that cold drink we’ve been thinking about.
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