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Brand Licensing Europe 2020 goes virtual as “Festival of Licensing”

By John Freeman on July 22, 2020

Brand Licensing Europe will not be taking place in its physical form this year, hit by the restrictions resulting from the Coronavirus Pandemic, but has transitioned to an all-virtual, four-week long global event in October, Festival of Licensing – that hopes to attract 15,000 attendees and over 300 exhibitors.

Running from 6th until 29th October, the aim is that the Festival of Licensing will be a unique, four-week large-scale digital gathering that aims to bring together the global licensing industry to connect, learn, strike deals and do business on an international stage, delivered by the organisers of Licensing Expo, Brand Licensing Europe, Licensing Expo Japan and Licensing Expo China, and in partnership with Licensing International.

Week One (6th to 8th of October) with its focus on the European market, powered by Brand Licensing Europe. Week Two (14th – 15th October) will be Asia focused, powered by Licensing Expo China and Licensing Expo Japan. Week Three (20th – 22nd October) will be powered by Licensing Expo and will place its focus on the North America and Latin America markets, the event culminating in a Global C-Suite Virtual Conference, powered by the Licensing Leadership Summit, to be held on 28th and 29th October.

The Festival of Licensing will host live keynote headliners from the world’s most influential brands that address the most pressing topics of the current and changing business environment, more than 100 hours of live and on-demand, territory and category specific content to guide businesses through the new consumer landscape, and a retailer only space with exclusive content and expert Q&A sessions.

“We are incredibly excited to announce Festival of Licensing and proud of the opportunities and experiences it offers to the global licensing industry,” said Informa Markets’ Global Licensing Group Vice President, Anna Knight. “Although the decision to transition Brand Licensing Europe to an all-virtual event was a difficult one and we will miss seeing everyone at ExCeL this year, I’m proud that we have a comprehensive offering in its place and look forward to the European event kicking off Festival of Licensing.

“We have had great feedback from June’s Licensing Week Virtual, so we know that there is huge potential and appetite for industry connection during this challenging time when meeting face-to-face is difficult. Our partners are telling us that driving domestic and international connections, discovering new IP and brands and learning how to navigate the new consumer landscape are paramount to the health of forward-planning for the business of brand licensing, and Festival of Licensing will support all of these needs.

“We also want Festival of Licensing to offer amazing experiences for everyone who joins us. One of the joys of virtual is that it can make the previously impossible possible, and we plan to use the power of the platform to fuel the imagination, delight and inspire in a fitting celebration of this industry and the people within it.”

“This global virtual event is an exciting platform to provide our members and the broader industry with the connections and tools to continue to move their business forward,” commented Maura Regan, President of Licensing International. “Our industry is truly global, and this event promises to bring us all together (while apart) designed expressly to engage and facilitate smart business in real time, regardless of where in the world you may be.”

• Brands who are interested in exhibiting or sponsorship opportunities should visit www.festivaloflicensing.com

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.