BLE Names New Event Director

Advanstar Licensing, producer of Brand Licensing Europe and Licensing Expo, has appointed Darren Brechin as event director for BLE.

The appointment comes after the current BLE event director, Jess Blue, was tapped to take on the role of show director for Licensing Expo.

Brechin brings more than 10 years of experience in the exhibition industry, including event director positions held at dmg :: events (Canada) and IIR Exhibitions. He will oversee the running of BLE including strategic planning, growth, sales and day-to-day management.

“I am delighted to be taking up this position on one of the U.K.’s fastest-growing and most successful exhibitions,” says Brechin. “I am looking forward to working with the team to build on the phenomenal success of the show that took place in October, which was the best attended in its 14-year history.”

BLE is the leading event for the European licensing industry and big changes are in the works for the 2013 show, including plans to merchandise the show floor into three key segments–art, design and image; entertainment and character; and brands–to create a shopping-style for retailers, licensees and sales promotion professionals.