The winners of this year’s Licensing Awards have been crowned in a glittering ceremony, with over 1,200 industry executives filling The Great Room at the Grosvenor House Hotel for an evening of celebration.
The event opened with a special message from Angry Birds’ Red, before Jakki Brown, director at Max Publishing (which owns and organises The Licensing Awards), officially welcomed everyone, saying: “It is incredible seeing everyone here at what is the largest Licensing Awards event for many, many years. I have a feeling it will be a night to remember. Tonight, there are almost 1,300 of us here all to celebrate everything that is great about our industry.
“These awards exist only because of you. Licensing, to be successful, needs everyone to work together. This event is testament to the enormous talent, passion, commitment and engagement from all strands of our industry.”
Before Tom Allen took charge as host – stepping in for his good friend, Joel Dommett – there was a surprise performance by the Original Stormtroopers, while the event came to an emotional close with Danny and Mark Schweiger from Character World Brands being jointly awarded this year’s Honorary Achievement.
The awards were once again backed by Brand Licensing Europe as headline sponsor and also supported by industry trade body, Licensing International.
The winners of The Licensing Awards 2023 are:
THE UK RISING STAR AWARD (sponsored by Licensing International)
Ellie Yarnell
BEST RETAILER OF PRESCHOOL LICENSED PRODUCTS (AGE GROUP 0-5) (sponsored by Hasbro)
The Entertainer
BEST RETAILER OF KIDS’ LICENSED PRODUCTS (AGE GROUP 5-16) (sponsored by NBC Universal Products & Experiences)
Primark
BEST RETAILER OF ADULT LICENSED PRODUCTS (sponsored by Warner Bros. Discovery)
HMV
THE RADAR AWARD (sponsored by WildBrain CPLG)
LUSH
BEST OVERSEAS RETAILER (sponsored by Mattel)
H&M
BEST LICENSED RETAIL MARKETING INITIATIVE (sponsored by Funko Europe)
Miffy Year of the Rabbit Campaign with Ichiba
BEST LICENSED PROMOTIONS CAMPAIGN (sponsored by Poetic Brands)
PAW Patrol on a Stroll Campaign with Dogs Trust
BEST LICENSED LIVE EVENT (sponsored by Bioworld International)
Peaky Blinders: The Rise live immersive theatrical show from The Everywhere Group
BEST LICENSED TOYS OR GAMES RANGE (sponsored by Moonbug Entertainment)
Gabby’s Dollhouse Collection from Spin Master
BEST LICENSED DRESS-UP OR PARTYWARE RANGE (sponsored by Brand Licensing Europe)
Bluey Party, Balloon and Dress-up Collection from Amscan International
BEST LICENSED PRESCHOOL APPAREL OR ACCESSORIES RANGE (0-5) (sponsored by Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences)
Peanuts Collection for Primark from Blues Group
BEST LICENSED CHILDREN’S APPAREL OR ACCESSORIES RANGE (sponsored by CAA Brand Management)
Pokémon x Clarks Collection from Clarks
BEST LICENSED ADULT APPAREL OR ACCESSORIES RANGE (sponsored by EXG Pro)
Smiley Originals x ASOS from Somerbond
BEST LICENSED WRITTEN, LISTENING OR LEARNING RANGE (sponsored by Somerbond)
Learn With Peppa Range from Ladybird Educational
BEST LICENSED PAPER PRODUCTS OR STATIONERY RANGE (sponsored by Boat Rocker)
Peter Rabbit Pop Up Card Range from Cardology
BEST LICENSED GIFTWARE RANGE, HOME DÉCOR, TABLEWARE OR HOUSEWARES RANGE (sponsored by Penguin Ventures)
The Grinch Cosmetics from Revolution Beauty
BEST LICENSED FOOD OR DRINK RANGE (sponsored by Rainbow Productions)
PAW Patrol Juice Drinks from Vital-Life Nutraceuticals
THE INNOVATION AWARD (sponsored by emoji)
McDonald’s French Fries Crossbody Bag x Loungefly from Funko
BEST SUSTAINABLE LICENSED PRODUCT (sponsored by BBC Studios)
Ben & Jerry’s x Tony’s Chocolonely Ice Cream and Chocolate Co-Branded Collaboration
BEST PRESCHOOL LICENSED PROPERTY (AGE GROUP 0-5) (sponsored by Character World Brands)
Bluey
BEST CHILDREN’S OR TWEEN LICENSED PROPERTY (AGE GROUP 5-12) (sponsored by Jazwares)
Barbie
BEST TEEN OR ADULT LICENSED PROPERTY (sponsored by Hunter Price International)
Stranger Things
BEST GAMING LICENSED PROPERTY (sponsored by Abysse Corp)
The Pokémon Company International
BEST FILM LICENSED PROPERTY (sponsored by Pyramid International)
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
BEST MUSIC OR CELEBRITY LICENSED PROPERTY (sponsored by Danilo Promotions)
The Rolling Stones
BEST SPORTS LICENSED PROPERTY (sponsored by Dependable Solutions)
Arsenal Football Club
THE CLASSIC LICENSED PROPERTY AWARD (sponsored by Erve Group)
Wizarding World
What Kids Love Award (sponsored by The Insights Family)
Minecraft
Honorary Achievement Award (sponsored by Sambro International)
Danny Schweiger and Mark Schweiger, Character World Brands
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