Featuring daily keynotes, forward-looking panel sessions, retail focused education, 10 catwalk shows, two License This! finals, exclusive content for first timers at the show and newcomers to the industry, Europe’s leading event for licensing and brand extension reveals a vibrant, inspiring yet practical content program with something for everyone to further their learning about the opportunity that brand licensing presents.   

Day one and two keynotes have now been unveiled with Mattel president and chief operating officer, Richard Dickson taking center stage on Sept. 20 with 'Barbie x Fashion,' followed by ‘Leaders panel: building a post-pandemic retail & licensing strategy’ on Sept. 21 when industry leaders will air expectations, hopes and fears for the future of retail, and give insight into long-term opportunities for licensing. Moderated by Ben Roberts (senior content strategist, EMEA, License Global), panelists confirmed for the second keynote include Marianne James (vice president, EMEA and Asia licensed consumer products, Hasbro), Daniel Avener, (chief executive officer, MDR Brand Management) and Jalil Rahman (director of brand partnerships & licensing, Liberty). The third keynote will be announced soon.  

Also highlighting what’s in store for licensing at retail is ‘Forecasting the future of retail through consumer trends.’ Participants include Francesca Lisle (director, Lisle Licensing), Hannah Craggs (TrendBible) and Abi Wilson (Buying & Design Manager, Celebrations, Sainsbury’s).   

New for 2022:

“BLE exists to support everyone working in and with the European licensing industry to do better business and identify new opportunities, and that means providing retailers, manufacturers and brand owners with meaningful content, introductions and meetings to drive their businesses forward,” says Anna Knight, senior vice president, licensing, Informa Markets. “It’s brilliant to be able offer so much new and diverse content to this year’s visitors, in person or online, from our new orientation sessions for first timers, inspiring daily keynotes, and category-specific educational panels on sports and LBE, to hosting 10 fantastic catwalk sessions.”  

Content program to date – all seminar sessions and keynotes are free to attend and take place in the License Global theater on the show floor. More sessions and speakers to follow.  

September 20:  

9:30-10 a.m.  

Brand Licensing Europe 2022 Orientation: Tips on how to navigate the show floor for new attendees flying solo or previous attendees eager to see what’s new at BLE this year.   

10-11 a.m.  

Brand Licensing Europe 2022 Show Tour: A guided tour of BLE 22 including the different exhibit zones, activations and where to grab a coffee or take a well-earned break.   

10:30-11 a.m.  

Brand Designs: Marking the launch of the first Brands Untapped 100, co-founder Billy Langsworthy chairs a panel exploring the creative strategies and design thinking that goes into crafting authentic, successful brand extensions.   

11-11:40 a.m.  

Kelvyn Gardner License This! Competition Finale – Product Design Category: Two months after applications opened, one winner will be selected from the finalists live in London.  

1-1:45 p.m.  

DAY ONE KEYNOTE:  Barbie x Fashion: Speaker: Richard Dickson, president and chief operating officer, Mattel. 

3:15-4 p.m.  

Sports Panel: Moderated by Simon Gresswell, managing director, SGLP. 

4:15-5 p.m.  

Can the Licensing Process be Rebuilt?: From supply chain challenges to the need for faster speed to market, does the licensing process need to be reviewed?  

Panelists include Susan Bolsover (managing director and founder, Lightbulb Licensing), Emily Fawcett (head of global licensing, Abysse Corp), Steve Manners (head of marketing, Licensing International).  

September 21: 

9:30-10:15 a.m.  

Forecasting the Future of Retail through Consumer Trends: Discussion on emerging and future consumer behaviors and how they influence the retail space.   

 Participants: Francesca Lisle (director, Lisle Licensing), Hannah Craggs (head of subscription, TrendBible), Abi Wilson (buying & design manager, Celebrations, Sainsbury’s)  

9:30-10 a.m.  

Brand Licensing Europe 2022 Orientation   

10-11 a.m.  

Brand Licensing Europe 2022 Show Tour  

1-1:45 p.m.  

DAY TWO KEYNOTE: Leaders Panel: Building a Post-Pandemic Retail & Licensing Strategy  

Industry leaders will air expectations, hopes and fears for a post-Covid future for retail, giving insight into long-term opportunities for licensing.  

Participants include Ben Roberts (senior content strategist, EMEA, License Global), Marianne James (vice president, EMEA and Asia licensed consumer products, Hasbro), Daniel Avener, (chief executive officer, MDR Brand Management) and Jalil Rahman (director of brand partnerships & licensing, Liberty).  

2:30-3:15 p.m.  

Location Based Experiences Panel  

4:15-5 p.m.  

Following the Money: How the New Age of Consumers Spends: Discussion on Gen Z and millennials – where you can find them, what they want – and provide an understanding on how they engage with brands in new and more meaningful ways.   

Participants include Gary Pope (chief executive officer and co-founder at Kids Industries), Sian Rider (strategy director, KidsKnowBest) and Allana Holmes (brand & sales director, Hunter Price).  

September 22: 

9:30-10 a.m.  

Sustainability Case Study – Hasbro: Catrina O’Brien (head of retail EurAsia, licensing consumer products, Hasbro) and Helena Mansell-Stopher (founder and chief executive officer, Products of Change).  

10:30-12 p.m.  

Kelvyn Gardner License This! Competition Finale – Character & Animation and Brand & Design Categories: Be part of the exciting conclusion to the License This! competition as our finalists battle it out to win the final two category trophies.   

1-1.45 p.m.  

Day 3 Keynote to be announced soon