LICENSING NEWS

Hasbro, KidsKnowBest and more confirmed as speakers for B&LIS

Published on: 1st April 2022

The Brand & Licensing Innovation Summit Europe takes place on 21st June at the Royal Geographical Society, London. 

A raft of exciting speakers has been confirmed for the second European Brand & Licensing Innovation Summit (B&LIS).

British retail giants Liberty and Sainsbury’s, and leading toymaker Hasbro, join an already packed agenda of speakers including Penguin Random House, The Smiley Company, Abysse Corp, Difuzed, MDR Brand Management, TrendBible, The Point.1888, KidsKnowBest, Hunter Price and Asda.

The event’s agenda, focused on Shaping the Future of Licensing and Retail, can now be viewed online, where tickets can also be purchased. Special rates are available for Licensing International and Products of Change members, as well as delegates booking a two-day pass for B&LIS and SiLC, the latter of which is taking place on 22nd June.

Anna Knight, SVP of Licensing, Informa Markets, commented: “Retail disruption. Supply chain challenges. SVOD. Metaverse. Influencers. NFTs. Representation. Changing consumer trends. Meaningful retail experiences. Our industry is going through a transformation like we’ve never seen before, all led by an increasingly complex and demanding customer. The European Brand & Licensing Innovation Summit brings together 300+ brand licensing leaders and delivers thought-provoking content and networking opportunities to help drive the industry forward and get the business insights to address some of these critical topics.”

B&LIS sessions will run from 09.30am – 5.30pm on 21st June, followed by a drinks reception in the evening. The current programme is as follows:

  • 08:00 – Registration Opens
  • 09:20 – Introduction from Global Licensing Group
  • 09:30 – Evaluating the Modern Brand Landscape

Start the day by setting the scene on some of the key trends coming through in licensing with exclusive insight delivered by License Global and other knowledge partners. Speakers include: Ben Roberts, senior content strategist at License Global.

  • 10:10 – Leaders Panel: Building a Post-Pandemic Retail & Licensing Strategy

A panel of industry leaders will air their expectations, hopes and fears for a post-Covid future as it relates to retail. Speakers include: Daniel Avener, CEO, MDR Brand Management; Jeremy Orriss, director of Licensing, Difuzed; Marianne James, VP EMEA and Asia Licensed Consumer Products, Hasbro; Jalil Rahman, director of Brand Partnerships & Licensing, Liberty.

  • 10:50 – Following the Money: Sow the New Age of Consumers Spends

The panel will focus their discussion on Gen Z and millennials. Speakers include: Sian Rider, strategy director, KidsKnowBest; Allana Holmes, head of Sales, Hunter Price;

  • 11:45 – Everything You Need to Know About Web 3.0

This dynamic session will explore some of the hottest topics in our industry right now, including NFT, Metaverse, IoT, AR, VR. Speakers include: Trevor George, co-founder & co-CEO, Recur.

  • 12.45 – Networking lunch
  • 13:45 – Think Tank: 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? Speakers include: Ruth Golightly, leading Womenswear Clothing / Footwear / Accessories, Asda; Emily Fawcett, head of Global Licensing, Abysse Corp; Moderator: Susan Bolsover, Global Licensing and Consumer Products director, Penguin Random House UK.

  • 14:30 – Forecasting the Future of Retail through Consumer Trends

Understand how emerging and future consumer behaviours influence the retail space. Speakers include: Hannah Craggs, head of Subscription, TrendBible; Abi Wison, Buying & Design manager – Celebrations, Sainsbury’s.

  • 15:45 – Category Breakout Sessions

To provide additional depth around emerging categories, join BLI&IS’ interactive roundtables as they are spotlighted in more detail. Hear a case study and take part in a Q&A discussion with a choice of four categories soon to be confirmed.

  • 16:30 – The Good Fight: How Purpose Breeds Success

What is purpose and why is it important to businesses and customers? Speakers include: Nicolas Loufrani, founder and CEO, The Smiley Company; Helena Mansell-Stopher, founder & CEO, Products of Change, Moderator: Will Stewart, founder & CEO, The Point.1888.

  • 17:30 – Closing Remarks followed by evening drinks reception

B&LIS one day tickets are priced at £275 and can be purchased from Brand &Licensing Innovation Summit Europe. SiLC tickets one day tickets are priced at £275 and can be purchased from Sustainability in Licensing Conference. POC and Licensing International members can enjoy a 20% discount on these rates (non-cumulative). Alternatively, two-day tickets can be purchased from either site for the discounted rate of £525.

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