Kids Industries has unveiled KIx, a new specialist team dedicated to redefining brand experiences for families in response to a surge in demand for location-based experiences in the licensing space.
Unveiled at the IAAPA Expo in Orlando, KIx will combine 25 years of expertise in creating family experiences with KI’s methodologies – including the Fandom Model and Experience Engineering Model – to provide clients with insight, strategy and creative solutions.
“Our work with LEGOLAND, Netflix, Royal Caribbean, TUI, and others has allowed us to refine a unique approach to developing family experiences,” commented Gary Pope, ceo and co-founder of Kids Industries. “KIx consolidates this expertise into cutting-edge services that reduce investment risk, enhance effectiveness, nurture return visitation and increase secondary spend, transforming how brands and IPs connect with families in today’s booming experience economy.
“With the continual rise of LBE as a critical licensing category that consumers have come to expect, our offering provides brand owners and licensees with the insight needed to make the most of themed entertainment opportunities.”
The global Family Entertainment Centre (FEC) market is projected to reach $45 billion by 2032, and in the US, families account for 35% of domestic travel, spending 39% more per trip than other traveller segments.
KIx – which will be led by Gary Pope in London and Pam Kunick-Cohen, an ex-Disney, 20th Century Fox, HIT and Technicolor executive, in Los Angeles – will offer expertise in three core areas:
Insight: Deep consumer understanding to uncover what families truly need and want – and how brands can deliver it.
Strategy: Development of products, services and experiences designed specifically for families, balancing their unique needs with commercial objectives.
Creative: Generationally aligned branding, content, social media and communications, leveraging experience with global brands like Universal, Warner Bros., and Pokémon.
KIx will also be collaborating with Purdue University, partnering with Dr. Christian Rogers PhD, Director, Themed Entertainment Design and the Experience Design Lab and Professor Rich Dionne of the Fusion Studio for Entertainment and Engineering.
Together, they are developing an AI-driven experience evaluation tool designed to measure emotional engagement and brand affinity. Currently in beta, this tool blends advanced quantitative and qualitative methods to help brands design, evaluate, and optimise guest experiences. The tool is scheduled for formal launch in Q1 2025.
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