Why are tradeshows like BLE important? 

For us, it’s first and foremost an opportunity to catch up with retailers and licensees, particularly those who couldn’t make it to Licensing Expo in Vegas. Plus, it gives an insight into what’s happening in the European market and the wider licensing industry.  

It’s a bonus for us that this year’s main theme is Fashion – a particularly strong sector for us. We’ve long had a reputation for trailblazing within the category; we were at the forefront of the nostalgia trend, the “mini me” fashion movement, and the popularity of high-end fashion collaborations, including some groundbreaking retail executions over the years. 

This year’s show is a chance for us to showcase the versatility of our brands and our expertise in applying them to current and future trends, for every age group from Gen Alpha to adults.  

What brands will you be showcasing that are relevant to fashion?  

We’re bringing our largest ever portfolio of brands to BLE this year – Wizarding World, DC, The “Powerpuff Girls,” Adult Swim’s “Rick and Morty.” We’ve just released HBO’s “House of the Dragon,” the prequel to “Game of Thrones” and we have teamed up with Stradivarius for a women’s capsule collection. 

Our Looney Tunes characters are consistently strong performers, in both kids’ and adult apparel – our Looney Tunes x Reebok streetwear collection went global back in May. We keep an eye on up-and-coming trends, but we’re fortunate in that our animation brands have such a strong heritage.   

Related:Exhibitor Spotlight: Warner Bros. Discovery at Brand Licensing Europe

“The Batman” has also had a fantastic year. Lanvin, EleVen by Venus Williams, Carhartt, Tomboy X, Fossil and PUMA all released Batman-inspired ranges earlier this year, and we’re still seeing strong demand for the perennial property.  

How is this year’s BLE Fashion theme and catwalk relevant and useful to your business?  

There’s a lot of innovation going on in fashion, with online, "phygital" and in-store experiences; it’s an exciting space to be in. BLE’s Fashion focus this year is a chance to underscore just how vital fashion is to a brand eco-system, as another touchpoint for fans to connect to their favorite properties. 

It’s also a recognition of how far licensed apparel has come. It’s not about just adding a logo on a T-shirt, but today’s designers, retailers and consumers are looking for high-quality products with high-end design credentials.  

In addition, fashion companies are increasingly recognizing the value that licensed properties can add in terms of PR, social media marketing and customer appeal.  

Brand Licensing Europe returns to London's ExCeL Sept. 20-22, with exhibitors spanning a range of categories, a new Fashion theme highlighting exciting lines from leading brands, informative seminar content and more!  

You can find Warner Bros. Discovery on stand C171. Click here to register for BLE 2022.