The Brand Radar: Lillet, Emily in Paris and licensing’s love affair with the food and drink sector

Start Licensing’s Ian Downes looks at the FMCG sector, revealing some highlights from the summer.

BLE Creative Corner with… Start Licensing’s Ian Downes

In the run up to BLE, we’re asking regular attendees and exhibitors about creative brand extensions – and how they have ideas… Up next is Ian Downes, Director at Start Licensing.

Talking Brands: From Stranger Things to Fawlty Towers, brands are embracing the theatre… What other IP is ripe for a stage adaptation?

Aardman’s Molly Van Den Brink, Start Licensing’s Ian Downes and Rainbow Productions’ Simon Foulkes discuss brands treading the boards.

Talking Brands: Why has PEPPA PIG proved to be a powerhouse in licensing?

TELA’s Gabi Drew, Start Licensing’s Ian Downes and Trend UK’s Lindsay Hardy share their thoughts on the pre-school titan’s brand power.

Talking Brands: What brands could be a great fit for the gift market?

Dynamo’s Danny Heffer, Start Licensing’s Ian Downes and Atlantic Mat’s Susan Baker share their picks of brands that could win in gifting.

Stuff We Loved: What are the industry’s favourite licensed launches of 2023?

We asked figures in the licensing industry for their favourite launches of the year. The only caveat… They couldn’t choose a product or experience they were involved in!

Talking Brands: Given the increase in visitor numbers at BLE 2023, how will this translate into new business opportunities?

BLE 2023 welcomed record numbers of retailers – and enjoyed a healthy jump in total visitors on 2022’s show. Claire Potter, Ian Downes, Richard Pink and Clare Piggott discuss what this means for their businesses – and where future growth lies…

The Brand Radar: The perks – and potential pitfalls – of personality licensing

Start Licensing’s Ian Downes looks at the rise and rise of personality-based licensing – and why it’s a route worth navigating carefully.

Talking Brands: Hachette Partworks has launched a build-your-own Batmobile… What other brands are built for construction kits?

SGLP’s Simon Gresswell, Start Licensing’s Ian Downes and Dinosuit’s Ross Padgett share their thoughts on IP that’s built for success in the construction sector.

The Brand Radar: From The Repair Shop: The Christmas Doll to The BBC Puzzle Book, a look at the creativity of licensed publishing

Inspired by the Booksellers Association’s Christmas Books catalogue, Start Licensing’s Ian Downes puts licensed publishing in the spotlight.

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