LicensingSource catches up with Global Licensing Group’s business development manager, Cassius Anderson, to find out how he’s settling into his new role.
So Cassius, you’ve joined the crew at Global Licensing Group – what exactly is your role there?
Yes, I’m very much excited to be a part of the GLG family. My role is business development manager for Brand Licensing Europe, working closely with Greg McDonald on the UK market. I’m working closely with new brand owners and agents wanting to take their first steps into licensing and supporting their objectives with everything we have to offer within the Global Licensing Group portfolio which includes BLE, Licensing Expo, License Global and the Brand & Licensing Innovation Summit.
What’s your background and how do you feel about the transition to the licensing industry?
My background is in fashion and retail, working with global brands through to trendy apparel garments and connecting them with retail buyers to stock their collection within high street stores. Transitioning to the licensing industry is a very exciting chapter of my career as I am hungry and eager to meet and be a part of brand owners’ licensing journeys. Although it’s still early days, I’m more than ready to take my licensing knowledge to the next level.
Who did you get to meet at the B&LLAs?
I had the honour of speaking with a few art designers and retailers at the B&LLAs, and I’m really looking to meeting people in Vegas at Licensing Expo.
Just a few weeks in the job, and you’ll be heading to Vegas for Expo – what are you most looking forward to?
There’s so much excitement and buzz within the team and the industry, I can’t wait to be at Licensing Expo in Vegas to see the scale of the show and the brands literally ‘come to life’. There’s a huge amount of creativity in this industry and no better way to experience it all at once that at the events, Licensing Expo and BLE. It’s also going to be a brilliant opportunity to learn more about the industry and meet more faces. If you’re from the UK and would like to find out more about exhibiting at one of our shows for the first time, please get in touch!
I hear there’s some kind of wing eating competition at Vegas among the BLE team – tell us more?
I think it started a few years ago… I love my food, so I’m totally up for this challenge. I reckon you’re talking to the next wing eating winner…
And then back on home soil for B&LIS and BLE – what are your hopes for those two events, what are you most looking forward to?
As my first licensing event I’m very much looking forward to B&LIS, especially as it’s in person this year. There are some amazing speakers, and it covers some fantastic forward-looking topics, like the metaverse, which I’m still trying to get my head around. And all in preparation for BLE this September – I’m so excited to see the fashion theme come to life, there are some amazing conversations happening already which should look epic on the catwalk.
Tell us three things about yourself – two true and one a fib…
Well three things about me… I love going to the gym (borderline gym freak), I have over 50 tattoos (so any illustrators and designers out there specialising in gothic art, I would love to hear from you 😊) and I’ve seen Celine Dion three times… I know… three!
