The latest edition is packed full of news, comment, views and interviews across all sectors of the licensing business.
The Autumn 2020 issue of the Licensing Source Book is now available to read online.
I never thought I’d be quoting Ronan Keating, but he got it spot on when he sang about life being a rollercoaster… and never has that been more perfectly illustrated than in 2020.
As LSB went to press, a number of new restrictions had been announced to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, although the government had stopped short of the full scale lockdown which saw non-essential retail closed down for three months earlier in the year.
Some silver lining at least, in that bricks and mortar stores can continue trading as we approach the key Christmas period.
But, as Ronan said, you’ve ‘just gotta ride it’ and the licensing industry has been busy doing just that, with licensors, licensees and agents working hard throughout the summer to adapt their businesses and take advantage of any new opportunities.
One of these has undoubtedly been the surge in demand for face coverings and you can read about how canny licensees have been getting involved with character, entertainment and heritage designs to help meet demand.
Another positive, plans for Festival of Licensing are continuing apace, with the virtual four-week celebration of the global industry garnering support from all corners of the business and companies embracing the new digital elements to really make the most of their portfolios. And speaking of those portfolios, while Q4 will be different from what we’re used to, there are certainly still plenty of new products and deals hitting retail, as LSB discovers.
Plans for the first part of 2021 are also being thrashed out, with the industry being proactive and meeting the dual challenges of the ongoing pandemic and the unknown of Brexit (you hadn’t forgotten about Brexit, right?).
We gathered views from licensees across various categories to get their feedback on the main challenges they are facing, but also the positives they have taken from 2020 so far.
Meanwhile, the museums, heritage and galleries sector has faced its own set of unique circumstances – we find out how Natural History Museum, Eden Project, Historic Royal Palaces, National Trust, V&A, Science Museum, The Ashmolean, RHS, Van Gogh Museum and National Gallery have been faring.
Riverside Brands and The Entertainer talk all things Early Learning Centre, while we find out more on Smiley‘s plans for its 50-year anniversary in 2022.
There are also exclusive interviews with Silvergate Media, Lisle Licensing as it marks ten years, Good Housekeeping and Formula 1.
All this, plus our regular columns from Ian Downes at Start Licensing, Adam Bass from Golden Goose and Kids Insights, while Wynne-Jones imparts some key advice in its IP Surgery.
There are also full run downs of all the finalists in The Licensing Awards 2020 and the Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards 2020.
Congratulations to all the finalists and rest assured that plans are in place to ensure you receive the plaudits that you deserve.
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