{"id":22686,"date":"2020-09-10T16:44:58","date_gmt":"2020-09-10T14:44:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.licensingitalia.it\/?p=22686"},"modified":"2020-09-10T16:44:58","modified_gmt":"2020-09-10T14:44:58","slug":"smiley-abg-and-alibaba-announced-as-first-festival-of-licensing-keynotes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.licensingitalia.it\/en\/smiley-abg-and-alibaba-announced-as-first-festival-of-licensing-keynotes\/","title":{"rendered":"Smiley, ABG and Alibaba announced as first Festival of Licensing keynotes"},"content":{"rendered":"

The iconic Smiley brand, the world\u2019s biggest retailer Alibaba, and globally-renowned brand management, brand owner and marketing company Authentic Brands Group (ABG) are the first keynotes revealed for the Festival of Licensing<\/a> Live Stage agenda<\/a>, sponsored by Crunchyroll<\/h3>\n

A month-long virtual celebration of the global licensing industry running from 6-29 October, Festival of Licensing<\/strong> incorporates three regional events linked to the world\u2019s biggest markets \u2013 Europe, Asia and the Americas \u2013 and culminates with the global C-suite and executive-level virtual conference, Licensing Leadership Summit. Festival of Licensing is organised and produced by the Global Licensing Group at Informa Markets.<\/p>\n

Going live at 0900 BST on 6 October, The Smiley Co., the French brand that\u2019s been dedicated to the way we share happiness since the 1970s, will open the festival and kick off the event\u2019s Europe content. Alibaba will take the centre stage for the first day of the Asia week. ABG will headline day one of the Americas week with insight into their unique business strategy that has been making business headlines thanks to a strong partnership with U.S. mall owner Simon Property Group; and Live Stage sponsor, Crunchyroll, will keynote the America\u2019s second day of content with a lively discussion around anime, one of the hottest entertainment trends in pop culture right now.<\/p>\n

Festival of Licensing will also include educational content from event sponsor Licensing International, the leading trade association for the global licensing industry, working to foster the growth and expansion of licensing around the world.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo have businesses of this stature, who are globally known and respected throughout licensing and beyond, headlining on the Festival of Licensing Live Stage is phenomenal. We couldn\u2019t have asked for more<\/em>,\u201d said Anna Knight, Vice President, Licensing, Informa Markets<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have amazing regional sessions confirmed, as well, including fantastic panels. This is just the start. We have another four weeks to go and a tonne more keynotes and content yet to announce. It\u2019s going to be an incredible line up with some truly inspirational sessions and can\u2019t-miss educational content<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

View the agenda here: <\/strong> https:\/\/www.thegloballicensinggroup.com\/en\/agenda-overview.html<\/a> <\/p>\n

Week 1: 6-8 October – Europe, powered by Brand Licensing Europe <\/strong><\/p>\n

Tuesday 6 October, 9am BST<\/strong><\/p>\n

Keynote presentation: Putting Purpose into your Licensing Programme<\/strong>
\nNicolas Loufrani, Founder and CEO, The Smiley Company. Additional special guests to be announced.<\/p>\n

Wednesday 7 October, 9am BST<\/strong><\/p>\n

Keynote panel: How the Sports Industry Swerved the Biggest Brand Disruption of Recent History<\/strong><\/p>\n

Joan Carrera Lopez, Senior Manager, Retail & CPG Licensing, Formula 1\u00ae; Tim Ellerton, Commercial Director, Team GB; + more panellists to be announced<\/p>\n

On-demand sessions available from Tuesday, 6 October, 9am BST, including: <\/strong><\/p>\n

What do Gamers Want?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dan Amos, Head of Esports, Difuzed. Additional panellists to be announced.
\nModerator: Ben Roberts, Content Editor, EMEA, License Global<\/p>\n

Building a Long-Term Programme: What do Licensors Need to Do?<\/strong>
\nNikki Samuels, CEO, factory; Ruth Golightly, Head of Buying, Children\u2019s Clothing, Asda\/George; Ashley Holman, Managing Director, Riverside Brands; Gabrielle Sims, Licensing Director, Fatface
\nModerator: Richard Pink, Managing Director, Pink Key Licensing<\/p>\n

Richard Pink<\/strong>: “More than anything else, a brand will want to develop a licensing programme that has longevity. The licensing industry is littered with programmes that ran out of steam and fell by the wayside; our panel, with experts from each of the core components of a programme \u2013 brand, agent, licensee and retailer \u2013 will give you their view on what a licensor needs to put in place to ensure their licensing programme not only has legs but also, crucially, has the stamina to last the course<\/em>.”<\/p>\n

Week 2: 14-15 October – Asia, powered by Licensing Expo China and Licensing Expo Japan <\/strong><\/p>\n

Wednesday, 14 October, 2pm CST <\/strong><\/p>\n

Keynote presentation<\/strong>: How Alibaba, China\u2019s eCommerce Giant, Embraces Licensing
\n<\/strong>Alex Tsai, Head Of Partnerships And Licensing, Americas And Europe, Alibaba\/Alifish<\/p>\n

On-demand sessions available from Wednesday 14 October, 2pm CST<\/strong><\/p>\n

Understanding China’s eCommerce Ecosystem for Licensing<\/strong>
\nModerator: Sky Canaves, Editor, Content Commerce Insider. Additional panellists to be announced.<\/p>\n

Week 3: 20-22 October \u2013 Americas, powered by Licensing Expo<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tuesday, 20 October, 9am PST<\/strong><\/p>\n

Keynote presentation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jarrod Weber, Chief Business Officer and President, Lifestyle, Authentic Brands Group<\/p>\n

Wednesday, 21 October, 9am PST<\/strong><\/p>\n

Keynote presentation<\/strong>: Anime 101: Breaking Down the Hottest Pop Culture Medium<\/strong><\/p>\n

John Leonhardt, Head of Consumer Products, Crunchyroll<\/p>\n

Moderator: Amanda Cioletti, Event and Content Director, Licensing, Informa Markets<\/p>\n

On-demand sessions available from Tuesday, 20 October, 9am PST, including: <\/strong><\/p>\n

What do Licensees Want?
\n<\/strong>A broad look at the licensing landscape and unique business terms in light of COVID-19, unpredictable entertainment calendars, the current retail climate and the growth of e-commerce.<\/p>\n

Moderator: Steven Heller, Founder, The Brand Liaison. Additional panellists to be announced.<\/p>\n

Doing Business in Latin America: Trade Promotion and Export Assistance to U.S. Brands<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sandra Tinajero, Economic and Commercial Section, U.S. Embassy to Quito<\/p>\n

What do Retailers Want in Latin America?
\n<\/strong>Hear from some major retailers in Latin America about what they look for when it comes to licensing.<\/p>\n

Moderator:<\/strong> Dalia Benbassett, Vice President, Corporate Relations and Acquisitions, Tycoon Enterprises. Additional panellists to be announced.<\/p>\n

Lightning on a Canvas: How Bob Ross Became an Icon of the New Generation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cynthia Modders, President and Founder, Firefly Brand Management<\/p>\n

Weeks 1-3 \u2013 On-demand session available from Tuesday, 6 October, 9am BST <\/strong><\/p>\n

A series of sessions curated by industry trade association Licensing International will also be available to view on demand during all three regional weeks.<\/p>\n

What you Need to Know to do Business in\u2026 (Series)<\/strong><\/p>\n

This series will include 15- to 20-minute on-demand sessions covering information on market size, local licensing and retail trends, business practices and much more, for the following regions:<\/p>\n