Brand Licensing Europe has announced the judging panel for this year’s License This! challenge. 
Ian Downes, director of Start Licensing, will chair the panel. He is joined by Paul Bufton, VP consumer products licensing and retail EMEA, Rovio Entertainment, Richard Haines, acquisitions and new business manager, Penguin Children’s, Penguin Random House, and John Carolan, head of buying Childrenswear, Sainsbury’s Supermarkets.
Now in its fifth year, License This! is open to any new artwork, brand or character that has no merchandising deals already in place or pending.
Ian Downes said: “New licensed properties are the lifeblood of the industry. It is essential that new properties have an opportunity to shine to ensure continued growth and to stimulate new product development. Therefore, I am delighted to chair License This! It’s a great springboard for new properties, and a fabulous opportunity for creators to get a foothold in the licensing market, I’m looking forward to reviewing some of the best ideas in the industry.”
The judges will select a shortlist of four entries which will be pitched to them in front of an audience at BLE on 9th October 2014. The winner will receive a fully‐furnished stand at Brand Licensing Europe 2015, worth £4,500, so that the new property can be brought back to market next year.
Property creators/owners can submit their property to be part of License This! by completing the entry form, found at www.brandlicensing.eu before the 5th September deadline.
Brand Licensing Europe 2014 takes place from 7-9 October 2014 at London’s Olympia. Registration is now open.
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