BRAND LICENSING EUROPE ANNOUNCES CONTENT PROGRAMME

BLE – 20-22 September 2022, ExCeL London – registration open now

Featuring daily keynotes, forward-looking panel sessions, retail focused education, 10 catwalk shows, two License This! finals, exclusive content for first timers at the show and newcomers to the industry, Europe’s leading event for licensing and brand extension reveals a vibrant, inspiring yet practical content programme with something for everyone to further their learning about the opportunity that brand licensing presents. 

Day one and two keynotes have now been unveiled with Mattel President and COO Richard Dickson taking centre stage on Tuesday 20 September with ‘Barbie x Fashion’, followed by ‘Leaders panel: building a post-pandemic retail & licensing strategy’ on Wednesday 21 September when industry leaders will air expectations, hopes and fears for the future of retail, and give insight into long-term opportunities for licensing. Moderated by  Ben Roberts (EMEA Content Director, License Global), panellists confirmed for the second keynote include Marianne James (VP EMEA and Asia Licensed Consumer Products, Hasbro), Daniel Avener, (CEO, MDR Brand Management) and Jalil Rahman (Director of Brand Partnerships & Licensing, Liberty). The third keynote will be announced imminently. 

Also highlighting what’s in store for licensing at retail is ‘Forecasting the future of retail through consumer trends’. Participants include Francesca Lisle (Lisle Licensing), Hannah Craggs (TrendBible) and Abi Wilson (Buying & Design Manager- Celebrations, Sainsbury’s). 

New for 2022: The BLE team will hold orientation sessions and show tours at 9:30am on the first two days to help attendees navigate the show floor and make sure they don’t miss any content that’s specifically relevant to them. 

New for 2022: Kelvyn Gardner License This! final pitching will take place over two days, with the Product Design category decided at 11am on Tuesday 20 September, and the Character & Animation and Brand & Design trophies awarded at 10:30am on Thursday 22 September. 

“BLE exists to support everyone working in and with the European licensing industry to do better business and identify new opportunities, and that means providing retailers, manufacturers and brand owners with meaningful content, introductions and meetings to drive their businesses forward,” said Anna Knight, SVP Licensing, Informa Markets. 

“It’s brilliant to be able offer so much new and diverse content to this year’s visitors, in person or online, from our new orientation sessions for first timers, inspiring daily keynotes, and category-specific educational panels on sports and LBE, to hosting 10 fantastic catwalk sessions.” 

Content programme to date – all seminar sessions and keynotes are free to attend and take place in the License Global theatre on the show floor. More sessions and speakers to follow. 

Tuesday 20 September –

9.30 – 10.00am  Brand Licensing Europe 2022 Orientation 

Tips on how to navigate the show floor for new attendees flying solo or previous attendees eager to see what’s new at BLE this year. 

10.00 – 11.00am Brand Licensing Europe 2022 Show Tour

A guided tour of BLE 22 including the different exhibit zones, activations and where to grab a coffee or take a well-earned break. 

10.30 – 10.30am Brand Designs

Marking the launch of the first Brands Untapped 100, co-founder Billy Langsworthy chairs a panel exploring the creative strategies and design thinking that goes into crafting authentic, successful brand extensions. 

11:00 – 11:40am  Kelvyn Gardner License This! Competition Finale – Product Design Category

Two months after applications opened, one winner will be selected from the finalists live in London. 

1.00 – 1.45pm DAY ONE KEYNOTE:  Barbie x Fashion

Speaker: Richard Dickson, President and COO, Mattel

3.15-4.00pm Sports Panel

Moderated by SGLP MD Simon Gresswell 

4.15 – 5.00pm Can the Licensing Process be Rebuilt?

From supply chain challenges to the need for faster speed to market, does the licensing process need to be reviewed? 

Panellists include Susan Bolsover (MD/Founder, Lightbulb Licensing), Emily Fawcett (Head of Global Licensing, Abysse Corp), Steve Manners (Head of Marketing, Licensing International) 

Wednesday 21 September –

9.30 – 10.15am   Forecasting the Future of Retail through Consumer Trends

Discussion on emerging and future consumer behaviours and how they influence the retail space. 

Participants: Francesca Lisle (Director, Lisle Licensing), Hannah Craggs (Head of Subscription, TrendBible), Abi Wilson (Buying & Design Manager- Celebrations, Sainsbury’s) 

9.30 – 10.00am   Brand Licensing Europe 2022 Orientation 
                                    

10.00 – 11.00am Brand Licensing Europe 2022 Show Tour

1.00– 1.45pm DAY TWO KEYNOTE: Leaders Panel: Building a Post-Pandemic Retail & Licensing Strategy

Industry leaders will air expectations, hopes and fears for a post-Covid future for retail, giving insight into long-term opportunities for licensing. 

Participants include Ben Roberts (EMEA Content Director, License Global), Marianne James (VP EMEA and Asia Licensed Consumer Products, Hasbro), Daniel Avener, (CEO, MDR Brand Management)  and Jalil Rahman (Director of Brand Partnerships & Licensing, Liberty) 

2.30-3.15pm Location Based Experiences Panel

4.15 – 5.00pm Following the Money: How the New Age of Consumers Spends 

Discussion on Gen Z and Millennials – where you can find them, what they want – and provide an understanding on how they engage with brands in new and more meaningful ways. 

Participants include Gary Pope (CEO and Co-Founder at Kids Industries), Sian Rider (Strategy Director, KidsKnowBest) and Allana Holmes (Brand & Sales Director, Hunter Price). 

Thursday 22 September 

9.30-10.00am Sustainability Case Study – Hasbro

Catrina O’Brien (Head of Retail EurAsia – Licensing Consumer Products, Hasbro) and Helena Mansell-Stopher (Founder & CEO, Products of Change) 

10.30 – 12.00pm   Kelvyn Gardner License This! Competition Finale – Character & Animation and Brand & Design Categories

Be part of the exciting conclusion to the License This! competition as our finalists battle it out to win the final two category trophies. 

1.00-1.45pm Day 3 Keynote to be announced soon