Mar 16, 2012 0
LIMA Releases Licensing University Lineup
The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association’s (LIMA) Licensing University will open its doors at Licensing International Expo with a slate of more than 35 events and seminars. The program is offered over a five-day period, including all three days of the trade show. Presented by industry-leading experts, the interactive Licensing University sessions are specifically designed to deliver to players from all areas of the business—from newcomers to seasoned veterans—valuable, actionable insight on a broad range of important, bottom line-boosting opportunities. The program takes place from Sunday, June 10, through Thursday, June 14, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
LIMA’s Licensing University begins Sunday, June 10, with the third annual State of Retail Presentation and Store Safari, a half-day program that includes a luncheon presentation and retail field trip with retail expert Carol Spieckerman, president of newmarketbuilders. The session, which takes participants to a handpicked trio of Las Vegas-area stores to experience notable U.S. retailing trends, jumpstarts a full schedule of programs and panels that covers major industry categories, including corporate branding, legal, art, celebrity, sports, and digital licensing.
With nearly three dozen information-packed presentations, a sampling of the upcoming Licensing University program includes:
Keynote Address by Kathy Ireland: “Brand Building Through Licensing—My Journey From the Beach to the Boardroom and Beyond”
Super-model-turned-business-mogul Kathy Ireland delivers the Licensing International Expo 2012 keynote address on Tuesday, June 12. Ireland will discuss the principles on which her billion-dollar company was built, business lessons learned along the way, thoughts on the current state of the licensing business, and where it is headed.
Licensing for Beginners: The Building Blocks of Licensing Success
This session explores the building blocks needed to ready brands for licensing, including finding the best partners and properties, negotiating smart agreements, producing seamless brand extensions, and capitalizing on retail opportunities. Adina Avery-Grossman of Brandgenuity moderates the panel, which includes Teri Niadna, director, international consumer products, National Football League; Derrick Baca, VP of licensing and business development at Hybrid Apparel; Liz Kalodner, EVP and general manager at CBS Consumer Products; and Lloyd Mintz, president/founder of Nine Oaks Group.
Taking a Brand from Digital to Retail
From Angry Birds and Moshi Monsters to Talking Friends and Stardoll, popular entertainment properties don’t just come from movies, TV, and books anymore. This session offers insight into the challenges involved in taking a brand from the digital domain to retail. Moderated by LIMA’s Marty Brochstein, the panel explores how to successfully translate properties from the computer and smartphone screen into physical product at retail. Panelists include Nicholas Bloom of The Beanstalk Group, global licensing agent for Talking Friends; Darran Garnham, chief business development officer/chief licensing officer for Mind Candy (Moshi Monsters); Mattias Miksche, co-founder and CEO of Stardoll Media; and Marc Mostman of Most Management LLC, U.S. licensing agent for Angry Birds.
Trends: Using Them to Successfully Compete in Art Licensing
This session discusses the importance of finding and tapping into trends when creating art and storyboards for products in categories such as home décor, paper, gift, stationery, and more. It also examines the difference between a trend and a fad, and when does a trend become an “evergreen.” Suzanne Cruise, president/owner of Suzanne Cruise Creative Services, leads the exploration with artists and licensing veterans Joan Beiriger and Gail Flores.
Licensing in Asia
This panel of experts and industry players will give participants a closer look at the many facets of the licensing business in Asia. The session will be moderated by Roger Berman, president of Japanese agency Zenworks, who will be joined by Yizan He, managing director, LMCA Brand Licensing & Consulting Co., Ltd. in China; Neal Rudge, partner of the Asian agency Pacific Licensing Studio; and Sid Shah, president of The Wild East Group, which specializes in licensing in India.
Getting Your Fair Share: How To Prevent Royalty Underpayments
Panelists discuss how companies can prevent underpayments and recoup payments owed. Moderator Joshua Kaufman of Venable LLP will be joined by Stuart Burns, partner in forensic accounting at HW Fisher & Co; Judy Ann Bird, director of Invotex Group; and CPA Anthony Curtis Elliott.
Identifying & Evaluating Opportunities of Licensed Properties for Your Brand or Company
This panel is designed to help participants learn how to identify strong properties, determine where they are in their lifecycle, and where will they be when it’s time to launch new products. Moderated by Alan I. Fine, president, KaleidOScope, panelists include Moss J. Kardener, OnStrategy Consultants; Andre Lake Mayer, vice president, licensing, Bandai America Inc.; Joshua Romm, vice president, IMG Licensing; and Peter Van Raalte, Partner Infinity Licensing, LLC.
To see the complete schedule of Licensing University sessions taking place leading up to and during Licensing Expo, and to register, click here.
