BLE 2024 details full conference agenda

The full agenda for this year’s Brand Licensing Europe has been detailed, with educational sessions on museum and heritage brand licensing, sustainability, a focus on European variations and opportunity, resilience and career advice.

Speakers span representatives from Xbox, Crafters Companion, Primark, MoMA, The Met, STUDIOCANAL, The LEGO Group, The Walt Disney Company, Jazwares, Sanderson Design, Paramount UK and many more.

“This year’s programme includes a free, inclusive three-day conference programme, valuable networking opportunities and lots of fun ‘not-to-be missed’ events – all great complements to the thousands of pre-planned and spontaneous, business critical meetings taking place on the show floor,” said BLE event director Ella Haynes.

“We are now less than three weeks until show time – over 2,220 meetings have already been arranged online between brands, retailers and manufacturers, so time is ticking, and I urge everyone to make the most of the BLE online Event Planner to find the right brands, people and businesses to book meetings with, and get those schedules filled to avoid disappointment.”

Sessions are listed below:

Newly announced for Wednesday September 25th:

11:45 – 12:15: The art of museum licensing
Learn about the current museum and heritage licensing landscape, examine case studies of recent success stories, and gain key insights into the trends driving consumer behaviour into 2025 and beyond.

Speakers:
Josh Romm, Head of Global Licensing & Partnerships, The Met
Robin Sayetta, Head of Business Development, MoMA
Maxine Lister, Head of Licensing, Natural History Museum
Marijn Veraart, Head of Global Partnerships & Licensing, Van Gogh Museum
Moderator: Esther Jolley, Director – Brand Extension, Stobbs

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14:00 – 14:30: Turning a heritage brand into a global phenomenon
Join STUDIOCANAL as they unveil their ambitious global vision for the beloved Paddington IP. This exclusive session will explore the ongoing journey of Paddington from a classic character to a worldwide cultural phenomenon ahead of the highly anticipated November release of the third blockbuster film Paddington in Peru.

Speakers:
Françoise Guyonnet, EVP kids brands at STUDIOCANAL & CEO Copyrights
Sissel Henno, head of global sales licensing & retail

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15:00 – 15:30: Doing licensing in Europe. The distinct characteristics of the industry on the European mainland
A comparative analysis of players in the licensing industry chain, focusing on the distinctive features, attributes and prospects for business growth in the market from the standpoint of European companies.

Speakers:
Fabienne Gilles, CCO consumer products and family entertainment, Peyo Company, Belgium
David Pérez Balaguer, founder, Mad House, Spain
Christopher Becker, director licensing & partnerships, Tonies, Germany
Moderator: Cristina Angelucci, editor-in-chief, Licensing Magazine

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15:15 – 15:45: Futureproof Your brand: gaming’s role in shaping tomorrow’s IP landscape
Explore how technology and distribution platforms are reshaping IP choices.

Speaker: Adam Woodgate, VP Research Solutions, The Insights Family

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16:00 – 16:45: Mapping a sustainable pathway: how the industry is adapting to new demands

Speakers:
David Boyne, managing director, Bravado
Jeremy Orriss, director of licensing, Difuzed
Michelle Papayannakos, sustainability director, Paramount UK
Jakob Max Hamann, senior manager, business development & sustainability governance, The Lego Group
Anna Halford, associate principal council, The Walt Disney Company
Moderator: Helena Mansell-Stopher, CEO, Products of Change

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Newly announced for Thursday September 26th:
10:00-10:30: Unlocking careers in licensing: advice, and opportunities

Speakers:
Olivia Wiggett, licensing manager, Jazwares
Emily Farrugia, head of product development, WildBrain CPLG
Corinne Duckworth, commercial executive, Dreamtex
Moderator: Steve Manners, head of global marketing and UK managing director, Licensing International

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1200-1230: Is resilience key to navigating industry change?
Join us at “The Day of Purpose” for a powerful session exploring the critical role of resilience in the licensing industry.

Host: Helen Lynch, retail brand licensing consultant & coach

Speakers:
Richard Pink MD at Pink Key Licensing
Will Stewart, founder & CEO of Point.1888 and True Purpose enterprises Ltd
Gabrielle Simms, director of partnerships and licensing at Sanderson Design Group plc

The remaining agenda content follows – all sessions take place in the License Global Theatre unless otherwise stated.

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Tuesday 24 September

0945-1000: Navigating the Brand Licensing Europe Showfloor
Speakers: BLE event director Ella Haynes and Lily Drennan, BLE event manager

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1000-1045: Licensing 101
Speaker: Steve Manners, head of global marketing and UK managing director, Licensing International

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1045-1100: Show floor tour with members of the BLE team

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1100-1115: State of the Nation
Speaker: Ben Roberts, License Global EMEA content director

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1130-1200: The future of retail: elevating customer experience through immersive retail

Speakers:
Ryan Stana, CEO, RWS Global
Amanda Raposo, chief experience officer, CAMP
Sarah Jackson, global director of license & brands, Primark

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1130-1200: The famous BLE character parade
Look out for the show floor tiles highlighting this year’s new route for hi-fives, selfies and cuddles.

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1230-1315: Keynote 1: When everyone plays, we all win: next-level consumer products & licensing with Xbox with John Friend, Head of Xbox Gaming Consumer Products

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1345-1415: How to build a lifestyle brand
Speakers:

Tim Smith, SVP, licensing, IMG
Marta Ballesteros, global licensing manager, Perfetti Van Melle Group
Lauren Sizeland, head of licensing & business development, V&A

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1430-1500: A quarter of a century as a brand licensing lawyer – what I’ve learned
Speaker: John Burns, partner and head of brands, JMW Solicitors

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1600-1620: Unlock your Brand’s Potential at BLE
Speakers:

Matthieu Battini, EMEA Sales Director, Global Licensing Group
Greg McDonald, Business Development & Account Director, Global Licensing Group
Cassius Anderson, Business Development Manager, Global Licensing Group

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1700-1900: Brand Licensing Europe’s 25th Birthday Party: Location: BLE Birthday Bar and BLE x One Piece Bar 2024

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Wednesday 25 September

0930-1000: The Trends to Watch in 2025
Speaker: Elizabeth Foster, VP of content & communications, Licensing International

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1015-1045: Licensing 101
Speaker: Susan Bolsover, MD and founder, Lightbulb Licensing

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1100-1130: Innovating fashion: the future of adaptive clothing in licensing

Speakers:
Karen Hewitt, Chief of Retail & Licensing, Character.com
Emma Wilkins, Brand Manager, Character.com
Elizabeth Layte, Buying Manager, Character.com

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1130-1200: The famous BLE character parade returns for the second day – follow our favourites as they wind their way through the show.

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1230-1315: Keynote 2 – crafty licensing: transforming a business through brand licensing
Speaker: Sara Davis, Founder/Director, Crafters Companion

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The following two events are for retail badge holders only and take place in the Retail Lounge E141.

1500-1600: Retail Mentoring Programme 2025 drop in session
1600-1700: Retail Happy Hour partnership with Care Bears

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Thursday 26 September

1100-1130: What makes a sustainable and ethical brand in 2024?
Speaker: William Sankey, Director of The GOOD Shopping Guide.

It’s free to visit Brand Licensing Europe – simply register on the website and get access to the online Event Planner and start planning your itinerary.

If you still haven’t registered for BLE this year, click here to do so!