The full Brand Licensing Europe agenda is now live and online including conference sessions, networking programme, fun events and after-hours events.
The full agenda for this year’s Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) is now live and online with newly announced educational sessions on museum and heritage brand licensing, sustainability, a focus on European variations and opportunity, resilience and career advice.
This year’s expert speakers hail from an array of licensing disciplines and categories as well as wider business, with representatives from Xbox, Crafters Companion, Primark, MoMA, The Met, STUDIOCANAL, The Lego Group, The Walt Disney Company, Jazwares, Sanderson Design, Paramount UK and many more.
Visitors and exhibitors to BLE now have all the information they need to plan their itineraries with three weeks still to go. BLE is Europe’s leading event for licensing and brand extension and takes place 24-26 September at ExCeL, London.
“This year’s programme includes a free, inclusive three-day conference programme, valuable networking opportunities and lots of fun ‘not-to-be missed’ events – all great complements to the thousands of pre-planned and spontaneous, business critical meetings taking place on the show floor,” said BLE event director Ella Haynes.
“We are now less than three weeks until show time – over 2220 meetings have already been arranged online between brands, retailers and manufacturers, so time is ticking, and I urge everyone to make the most of the BLE online Event Planner to find the right brands, people and businesses to book meetings with, and get those schedules filled to avoid disappointment.”
Newly announced for Wednesday 25 September:
1145-1215: The art of museum licensing
Learn about the current museum and heritage licensing landscape, examine case studies of recent success stories, and gain key insights into the trends driving consumer behaviour into 2025 and beyond.
Speakers:
- Josh Romm, Head of Global Licensing & Partnerships, The Met
- Robin Sayetta, Head of Business Development, MoMA
- Maxine Lister, Head of Licensing, Natural History Museum
- Marijn Veraart, Head of Global Partnerships & Licensing, Van Gogh Museum
- Moderator: Esther Jolley, Director – Brand Extension, Stobbs
1400-1430: Turning a heritage brand into a global phenomenon
Join STUDIOCANAL as they unveil their ambitious global vision for the beloved Paddington IP. This exclusive session will explore the ongoing journey of Paddington from a classic character to a worldwide cultural phenomenon ahead of the highly anticipated November release of the third blockbuster film Paddington in Peru.
Speakers:
- Françoise Guyonnet, EVP kids brands at STUDIOCANAL & CEO Copyrights
- Sissel Henno, head of global sales licensing & retail
1500-1530: Doing licensing in Europe. The distinct characteristics of the industry on the European mainland
A comparative analysis of players in the licensing industry chain, focusing on the distinctive features, attributes and prospects for business growth in the market from the standpoint of European companies.
Speakers:
- Fabienne Gilles, CCO consumer products and family entertainment, Peyo Company, Belgium
- David Pérez Balaguer, founder, Mad House, Spain
- Christopher Becker, Director Licensing & Partnerships, Tonies, Germany
- Moderator: Cristina Angelucci, editor-in-chief, Licensing Magazine
1515-1545: Futureproof Your brand: gaming’s role in shaping tomorrow’s IP landscape
Explore how technology and distribution platforms are reshaping IP choices.
Speaker: Adam Woodgate, VP Research Solutions, The Insights Family
1600-1645: Mapping a sustainable pathway: how the industry is adapting to new demands
Speakers:
- David Boyne, managing director, Bravado
- Jeremy Orriss, director of licensing, Difuzed
- Michelle Papayannakos, sustainability director, Paramount UK
- Jakob Max Hamann, senior manager, business development & sustainability governance, The Lego Group
- Anna Halford, associate principal council, The Walt Disney Company
- Moderator: Helena Mansell-Stopher, CEO, Products of Change
Newly announced for Thursday 26 September:
1000-1030: Unlocking careers in licensing: advice, and opportunities
Speakers:
- Olivia Wiggett, licensing manager, Jazwares
- Emily Farrugia, head of product development, WildBrain CPLG
- Corinne Duckworth, commercial executive, Dreamtex
- Moderator: Steve Manners, head of global marketing and UK managing director, Licensing International
1200-1230: Is resilience key to navigating industry change?
Join us at “The Day of Purpose” for a powerful session exploring the critical role of resilience in the licensing industry.
Host: Helen Lynch, retail brand licensing consultant & coach
Speakers:
- Richard Pink MD at Pink Key Licensing
- Will Stewart, founder & CEO of Point.1888 and True Purpose enterprises
- Gabrielle Simms, director of partnerships and licensing at Sanderson Design Group
