Brand Licensing Europe Opens Entries for 2024’s Retail Mentoring Programme After 2023’s Programme Fills Up in Record TimeBrand Licensing Europe Opens Entries for 2024’s Retail Mentoring Programme After 2023’s Programme Fills Up in Record Time

Programme is a six-month course for retailers in the U.K. who are new to licensing.

July 4, 2023

3 Min Read

Jon Spalding, head, consumer products, Mattel, speaking at Licensing for Retail Day 2023License Global

Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) 2023 opens its doors at ExCeL, London, in exactly three months, yet head of retail, Laura Freedman-Dagg, has opened applications for 2024’s Retail Mentoring Programme (RMP).

BLE’s RMP is a six-month course for retailers in the U.K. who are new to licensing and want to find out how it can boost their career, product ranges, customer loyalty, business and profitability. It’s free, CPD accredited, interactive and backed by leading brands. It starts in March 2024 and will culminate at BLE, Sept. 24-26, 2024.

The programme has been running for 13 years and has become so popular among retailers, BLE was forced to close applications for 2023 two months ahead of schedule. Ninety delegates are enrolled for 2023, a record number and 16 more than last year.

The 2024 Retail Mentoring Programme includes:

Individual and team mentoring with Keith Pashley, licensing industry specialist and RMP programme manager
Complimentary access to “Intro to Licensing” online training
A complimentary delegate pass to the second Licensing for Retail Day, which returns to The Convene, London, on March 7, 2024

Licensing for Retail got off to a flying start this year with exactly 200 attendees, including 106 retailers from My 1st Years, Ann Summers, George at Asda, Claire’s, DFS, FatFace, John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Moonpig, Morrisons, New Look, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Home Bargains, HMV, TruffleShuffle, Iceland, Selfridges, Vanilla Underground and more.

Delegates enjoyed top-level content, including trend presentations, case studies and panel discussions from the likes of Jon Spalding, head, consumer products, Mattel, plus lots of time carved out for valuable networking with peers, the BLE and Licensing Internationals teams, brand owners, licensees, agents, consultants, media and industry suppliers.

A day spent with a licensor host to better understand their side of the business. Hosts this year include Sega, Bravado, Hasbro, National History Museum and CAA Brand Management
The opportunity to judge the product categories at the Licensing Awards
Attendance at a pre-BLE seminar programmed in line with the group’s specific learning goals and includes an interactive workshop element
VIP attendance at Brand Licensing Europe (Sept. 24-26, ExCeL, London) with access to the exclusive retail lounge experience
Entry to the RMP Alumni group, which facilitates learning and networking opportunities year-round for those who have graduated from the programme

“The RMP is such an important part of the Brand Licensing Europe offering,” says Laura Freedman-Dagg, head of retail, Informa Markets’ Global Licensing Group. “We work very hard to continually find ways to engage retailers who might not consider themselves ‘in licensing’ as well as those joining teams which live and breathe it.

“This approach is a priority for us as it drives sustainable growth, cross-category representation and, perhaps most importantly, retailers who ‘get it’ before they even step foot on the tradeshow floor. Attracting more retailers to the show is beneficial for brands and our exhibitors, of course, but it’s also part of our remit to educate retailers about the good of licensing.”

“I found the Licensing for Retail Day truly inspiring and innovative, with thought-provoking, relevant speakers from market-leading brands and agencies, as well as providing a great opportunity to connect with license agencies, brands and other retailers,” says Lucy Steer, partner, head of category gifts, dine, cook and seasonal, John Lewis & Partners.

Visitors are invited to register for a free pass to BLE. Last year’s event welcomed thousands of leading retailers, manufacturers and brands.

Watch: Highlights from Licensing for Retail Day 2023.

About the Author

License Global

License Global is the leading news source for the brand licensing industry, delivering award-winning editorial content including news, trends, analysis, and special reports about the global consumer product and retail marketplace.

Through its print edition, website, daily e-newsletter and event publications, License Global reaches more than 150,000 executives and professionals in all major markets. The magazine also serves as the official publication for the sector’s trade events, which include Licensing Expo, Brand Licensing Europe, France Licensing Day, Licensing for Retail, Licensing Expo Japan, Licensing Expo Shanghai and the Licensing Leadership Summit.

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