The first edition of 2021 is packed full of news, comment, views and interviews across all sectors of the licensing business.
The Spring 2021 issue of the Licensing Source Book is now available to read online.
Opportunities and challenges. Two words which cropped up a lot during the course of the team putting together this edition of LSB.
It looks a bit different from our usual spring issue – indeed, the whole licensing landscape currently looks different, with none of the usual spring trade shows able to take place, non-essential retail unable to open and the country riding out the latest restrictions by once again staying home.
However, while we must all have felt we’re trapped within Groundhog Day at various points during the past year, there is no sense of inertia within the business. Challenges are being faced head on and opportunities are being seized, at home and abroad.
Speaking to a selection of licensors and agents about what they see as some of the greatest opportunities for our sector in 2021, ecommerce was a popular choice. The growth in consumers shopping online over the last year has created new targeted retail opportunities for brands, opening up the playing field to new and smaller properties which otherwise might struggle to make it to shelves.
Many brand owners also believe that pent up demand from consumers will lead to a ‘freedom bounce’ as they begin to spend on items outside of the weekly food shop. Then there is also the fact that the lockdowns have led to consumers experiencing branded content in greater quantities than ever before.
Meanwhile, licensees have risen to the challenge of no in-person shows by creating their own virtual showcases, as well as progressing their sales efforts with improved marketing materials and product catalogues to inspire retailers.
Continuing to pull together will remain vital in the coming months. It’s important to keep moving forward and focusing on that light at the end of the tunnel.
Also in this edition, we have exclusive interviews with George @ Asda, Withit, Poetic Brands, Team GB and Banijay Brands.
We also share just some of the industry’s tributes to Kelvyn Gardner.
We spoke to a number of licensors and agents from outside of the UK to find out how the licensing industry is currently performing in territories such as France, Germany, the US and Italy among others, while five key industry voices tackle five big challenges which the business will face this year.
On top of this, we turn the spotlight onto four new brands/companies which are likely to have an impact on the business this year, while SGLP’s Simon Gresswell offers some sporting insight, as well as our regular insight from Kids Insight.
This edition comes with a special publication from The Point.1888, taking a look at its entertainment brand portfolio and what’s coming up in 2021.
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