Brand Licensing Europe and Licensing International Announce License to Move Initiatives

The organizers of Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) and Licensing International have joined forces to host a series of License to Move initiatives to encourage the licensing industry to get moving and raise money for The Light Fund. 

To kick off the campaign, both organizations – with support from U.K. media outlets – will host a social walk through some of the key sights in London, including Camden Market, London Zoo, Hyde Park, Green Park, Buckingham Palace, St James Park, Big Ben and the London Eye. The walk will take place Aug. 31, starting at Camden Market at 2 p.m. 

Everyone from the licensing community is invited to join and walkers can choose to walk the full 10K or join at 5K, when the group reaches the Serpentine Café in Hyde Park. All walkers will finish in the same place – Jack’s Bar at 96 Isabella Street behind Southwark Underground station. 

This walk will be the first of several initiatives in support of The Light Fund. The campaign will culminate with several activities taking place at Brand Licensing Europe Oct. 4-6 at ExCeL London (register for free to attend Brand Licensing Europe). 

“It’ll be so lovely to bring everyone together for a summer social to clear the cobwebs, brighten our moods and facilitate a bit of laid-back networking,” says Steve Manners, managing director, Licensing International U.K. “We all know that exercise is good for our physical and mental wellbeing, but it’s just so much easier and more fun to do in a big group. We’re hoping to see lots of licensing industry faces on the day. It’s completely free to take part, we just ask that you set up your License to Move profile page ahead of time and make a donation to The Light Fund. You can also share your page and encourage others to donate.” 

The License to Move licensing industry initiative was launched earlier this year, led by Informa Markets’ Global Licensing Group, with support from trade association, Licensing International, and key licensing media outlets. Its principal aim is to promote wellness and get the global licensing industry moving, all while raising valuable funds for industry charity, The Light Fund (Licensing Industry Giving Help Together).   

“Of course, walking is just one ‘moving’ option,” says Ella Haynes, event director, Brand Licensing Europe. “You can also run or swim, hop, skip and jump, be really adventurous and go canoeing, rowing, abseiling or paddleboarding, or calm things right down with a lovely yoga session.” 

People may also want to take part in the following organized events to rack up their License to Move miles: 

“The licensing community is also very welcome to be spontaneous and do their own thing,” adds Haynes. “Why not book ‘walk and talk’ meetings during BLE instead of sitting in a café and donate the price of a Costa cappuccino to The Light Fund? Or organize your own group License to Move-ment like a docklands cycle, BLE showfloor step count or a company Step-tember challenge of hitting two million steps between you! The possibilities are endless, and we’ll do everything we can to support them.” 

“We want this to be the biggest Light Fund event ever in terms of participants,” says Trevor Jones, chair, The Light Fund. “License to Move is a totally inclusive campaign and we invite everyone to take part in some way. Any activity is permitted whether you’re on your own, with a few friends or part of a larger company initiative. Just sign up on the website, set your own target and have fun, doing good and feeling good contributing to The Light Fund’s support of great causes. You can walk, run, cycle, swim, hop, skip – or move any way you want – it’s your choice!” 

Ways individuals (or a team) can get moving in August and raise money for The Light Fund as part of License to Move: 

Find out more about the License to Move Social Walk.