Brand Licensing Europe 2009 Hits a Century

One hundred companies including BBC Worldwide, Entertainment Rights, ITV Global Entertainment and Twentieth Century Fox have signed up for Brand Licensing Europe 2009. And, despite the current economic conditions, many are increasing their stand size for 2009—among them Contender, Coolabi, JAST, Ludorum, Rainbow, RDF Rights, Toei Animation, Turner Enterprises, TV Loonland and Vipoland.

The 2008 event, which was the 10^th anniversary show, attracted 190 exhibitors—including 60 first-timers—and 4,279 visitors from 60 countries. One-in-four visitors attended from mainland Europe, an increase of 32 percent on 2007—and 25 percent of all exhibitors on the show floor this year were headquartered in mainland Europe.

Retailers accounted for 15 percent of visitors to Brand Licensing Europe 2008, including buyers from European retailers Almedahis, Auchan, Carrefour, Dreamland Mavedra, Dunnes, Handelsges, Kaufhof, Smyk and Sonak. There was an 8 percent increase in retail buyers attending from multiples. Some 1,430 visitors attended Screening Suite presentations over the two days, including Amazon, ASDA, Bhs, C&A, Debenhams, HMV, Sainsbury's, John Lewis Partnership, Marks & Spencer, Mothercare, Next, Play.com, Primark, Russell & Bromley, Tesco and Toys "R" Us.

"It has been Advanstar's mission to develop Brand Licensing Europe from what was considered three years ago to be a U.K.-centric trade show into a world class exhibition that truly represents and reflects the licensing industry throughout the whole of Europe," says Jessica Blue, event director of Brand Licensing Europe. "The results this year indicate we are well on our way to achieving this goal."

Brand Licensing Europe 2009 takes place in London from Sept. 30 to Oct. 1 at Olympia's Grand Hall.

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