The License This! competition – which rewards entrepreneurs with new IP with strong licensing potential – is open for entries. Two awards categories will be presented this year – Brand & Design and Character & Animation. Applicants can enter online, with the closing date Friday September 14.
Previous winners and runners up have successfully signed deals with licensing agents and seen their brands appear on a wide range of products – to include gifts, homeware, stationery and greetings.
Last year’s winner was the children’s brand Ioguis. Since being at the show in October, the company has found an executive producer in LA who is pitching to broadcasters. They’re hoping that, by the time they exhibit at BLE in October, they will have a publishing deal and can meet with licensees to expand the IP.
2016’s runner-up, I Like Birds, started out in greeting cards, but now has a wide range of licencees to include My Gifts Trade, whose products include housewares, cushions and textiles.
This year, winners will receive a free exhibition stand at BLE 2019, one year’s LIMA membership, PR support and advice from a panel of industry experts. Previous entrants – both winners and finalists – have also signed lucrative agent and licensing deals off the back of the competition.
Now in its eighth year, License This! is a proven propeller for entrepreneurs to launch themselves in to the licensing industry. Visit www.brandlicensing.eu to download an entry form
Top: Shown at last year’s License This! winner’s presentation are, from left to right: Kelvyn Gardner, managing director, LIMA UK; Florencia Kohan, creative director of Ioguis, and Jenny Purves, brand manager, BLE.
