Ahead of SiLC23 on 8 November, LicensingSource.net catches up with some of the high profile sponsors. Today, Smiley and how its Future Positive story has experienced significant evolution and growth.
We are at the dawning of a new age for licensing. With legislation coming at us from all angles, the landscape upon which business operates is about to shift dramatically. The $340bn global licensing industry has the chance to be leading that sustainable transition from the front, we just have to seize it.
That opportunity sits at the heart of this year’s Sustainability in Licensing Conference – the brand licensing and consumer product industries’ only event dedicated to collective sustainable development – as it makes its return to the Royal Geographical Society in London on Wednesday, 8 November 2023.
Of course, this year’s Sustainability in Licensing Conference wouldn’t go ahead without the support of the industry, our Products of Change community and our honourable list of sponsors, all of which are flying the flag for sector sustainable development while taking great strides themselves.
Let’s meet a few. Today: The Smiley Company.
Over the last 12 months, the Smiley Future Positive story has experienced significant evolution and growth, and month by month the team has expanded its network of partners, all of whom share a common commitment to making a positive impact on the world. These partners themselves have been responsible for spearheading some “remarkable initiatives” which resonate with Smiley’s core values of positivity, sustainability, and social responsibility.
Meanwhile, audiences and customers have been responding positively to the brand’s commitment to sustainable development as customers become increasingly conscious of the products they choose and the brands they support. Smiley has even received numerous commendations for its transparency in reporting and its efforts to reduce its environmental impact.
Ambitions for 2024: Smiley already boasts just over 100 partners on board who fit the criteria to produce Future Positive products, while no other brand owner in the licensing space has such an extensive programme dedicated to driving positive impact in the sector. The company’s long-term ambition is to ensure they all develop as many Future Positive products as possible and Smiley has made it its mission to increase the number of licensees year-on-year until 100% of them have a sustainable offering.
“I think down the line it will be made easier by the fact most of the big retailers have a clear agenda and want all of their supply chain to be sustainable by 2030,” said Nicolas Loufrani, ceo of The Smiley Company.
Nicolas Loufrani, ceo, The Smiley Company: “Consumer goods are an absolute necessity to the livelihood of billions around the world. They create our cultures. However, the amount of problems we create through them is enormous. We must absolutely change the way we produce and recycle everything.
“If we don’t wake up, a very large portion of consumers will simply end up being fed up and buy second hand goods. This will impact the lives of hundreds of millions of people who live along our supply chains, from raw materials producers to retail shop staff. We live in a very intricate economy – the lockdown crisis showed us that – and our industry impacts so many outside ones, from technology suppliers to car manufacturers.
“By joining the Sustainability in Licensing Conference this year, I hope to have meaningful conversations with retailers and suppliers. From my visit at Global Fashion Agenda or the world retail congress I know most major retailers are making massive efforts to transform their supply chains to be more sustainable. But I also see the lack of progress as far as licensed products are concerned.”
The Sustainability in Licensing Conference 2023 takes place on Wednesday 8 November at the Royal Geographical Society, London. The full agenda can be found by clicking here. Tickets for this year’s Sustainability in Licensing Conference are available to purchase now. Both in-person and digital-only options are available. Contact Rob@productsofchange.com or Helena@productsofchange.comfor more information.
