Headline sponsor explains why it’s crucial to recognise and reward innovation.
The countdown to the inaugural Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards continues, and the involvement of Brand Licensing Europe 2016 as headline sponsor underlines just how important the initiative is.
The industry showcase saw strong growth across a number of categories in its Brands & Lifestyle zone for 2015, and event director Darren Brechin is confident this will continue.
“We are in a very unique position to observe the trends in the brand licensing arena, which are mirrored at the show,” he told The Source. “The success of BLE 2015, the biggest in its 17 year history, is a good indication of the strength of the industry.”
New exhibitors at the show for the first time in 2015 included companies from categories such as automotive, sport, food and beverage, beauty, music, publishing and heritage.
Volkswagon, PGA Tour, Pepsi, Vimto International, Lee Stafford, NOW! That’s What I Call Music, Stanford’s and The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust all exhibited for the first time.
Darren continued: “These are all areas we would expect to develop further in 2016. Charity licensing is another area where we have witnessed growth, as many organisations realise the potential of licensing as an important revenue stream.
“It will also be interesting to see more online brands move into licensing.
“We are delighted to be supporting the awards, as we feel it is crucial to recognise and reward innovation, talent and best practice in the industry.”
The Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards takes place at The Dorchester, Park Lane on Wednesday, April 20. Entries for all categories are flooding in and further sponsors are set to be announced over the coming weeks.
Other partners already on board include LIMA, Emerald Exhibitions, Hallet Retail, Start Licensing, Beanstalk, Brands With Influence, IFL Science, Discovery, Kimm & Miller, Octane 5, Pringles, JCB, Happy Jackson and Spring Fair.
For full details of the categories and how to enter, simply click on this link. Deadline for all entries is February 3.
