Brand Licensing Europe Gears Up for High Numbers

LONDON, August 13: Still
seven weeks ahead of Brand Licensing Europe and the number of companies from
continental Europe exhibiting at this year’s event has already exceed the 2007
figures, representing the largest turnout from the region in the exhibition’s
ten-year history.

More than 20 European
brand owners will head to London this October for Brand Licensing Europe, a
38-percent increase over last year. Of these, 12 are new exhibitors: Bohem
Press, Paule Marrot Editions, 24IP Law Group, IMAB Masterpieces, Kangaroo
Island, Preziosi Group, Rainbow SpA, Renault Merchandising, Sekiguchi Europe
BV, Telescreen Distribution & Licensing, TOEI Animation and Vipo Land. More
than 100 properties from all categories will be showcased at the event.

In preparation for the
increased number of European visitors, Brand Licensing Europe has named Joanna
Batson as retail manager.

Jon Gibson, the event
manager, said: “Our European Hosted Buyers Program was a massive success last
year, bringing a 36-percent increase in the number of senior buyers from major
retailers such as El Corte Ingles, Auchan, Carrefour France and Toys R Us
Netherlands. This year, we plan to increase those numbers further by extending
to key retailers in Eastern Europe. As the licensing market continues to grow
throughout Eastern Europe, so will the number of local buyers. The importance
of these buyers to brand owners will increase significantly over the next few
years, which is why it’s essential to get them on board now.”

—By Kristin
Brzoznowski