BLE Unveils Online Content Agenda

Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) has confirmed its online agenda, which will go live on November 22 as part of the digital experience supporting the in-person event.

Taking place from November 30 to December 1, the two-day online event will offer additional virtual networking and learning opportunities. It will allow those who attend BLE in person at ExCel London from November 17 to 19 to book follow-up and overflow meetings while also ensuring that those unable to travel to the in-person event don’t miss out on business opportunities.

The free meetings platform is already open, allowing registered attendees to start planning their diary and send meetings requests. More than 1,500 meetings have already been confirmed.

The online content program will continue BLE 2021’s What’s Next theme and includes three online-only In Conversation sessions with senior executives from ViacomCBS Consumer Products; a Sustainability Panel with Products of Change and Licensing U, with the option to watch recordings of the Team GB and ViacomCBS live keynotes; the five What’s Next at Retail sessions taking place at the show; and more. All of this content will be available to watch on demand through February 28.

The online-only content includes D&I In Conversation sessions with ViacomCBS executives such as Diversity in the Workplace, Diversity in Content and Diversity in Products.

Products of Change will talk to Yellow Octopus, Newlife, Preloved Kilo and George at Asda to about how they are diverting clothes from landfill and building a fully circular fashion industry.

Anna Knight, VP of licensing at Informa Markets, said: “The quality of content for BLE online is phenomenal and hats off to ViacomCBS for curating three amazing sessions delivered from very senior perspectives on some of the most important topics businesses within licensing are addressing right now.”

Knight added: “These sessions—and more—are just a small part of a much bigger focus for BLE and the Global Licensing Group around sustainability and D&I during 2022. We promise to continue sparking these incredibly important conversations at each of our flagship events and conferences and through License Global content.”

BLE and Licensing International are bringing the Licensing U program to Europe for the first time, featuring 14 presentations across three tracks—Basics, Spotlights and Tactics & Strategies. The program is a one-stop-shop education program about the $292 billion licensing industry for newcomers and experienced professionals. Licensing U will take on a fully virtual format and will be available on demand for three months from November 22.

Maura Regan, president of Licensing International, said: “We’re pleased that Licensing U, which has long been a mainstay of Licensing Expo Las Vegas, is now part of BLE, with outstanding speakers and presenters, offering information and insights for both industry newcomers and seasoned executives.”