Licensing International Excellence Awards Winners Unveiled

The winners of the 2023 Licensing International Excellence Awards were unveiled last night in a ceremony that brought together industry executives from around the world to celebrate the best of the global brand licensing industry. 

The 30 award winners were selected from 201 finalists. More than 850 submissions were received, narrowed down by an expert global judging panel and voted on by members of the licensing industry at large. 

This year’s Excellence Awards were hosted by George Leon, founder, chief executive officer, Cakewalk Entertainment, and Maca Rotter, president, chief executive officer, La Panadería. Alifish, Jazwares, Spaceport and Spirit presented the awards.  

The Excellence Awards honor innovation and creativity in the licensing community. They spotlight the power of brands to connect with consumers and further a company’s goals, celebrate how licensees develop and bring those products to market and applaud how retailers highlight licenses on their shelves. 

This year’s Excellence Awards featured several new categories to reflect better the constantly evolving nature of the global brand licensing business. New categories included the Most Impactful Service Provider, awarded to Octane5, and Best Sustainability Initiative, taken home by Goodyear Brake Calipers – FDP Brakes by IMG. 

“The Licensing International Excellence Awards are a testament to the power of brands and their ability to inspire products and programs with lasting appeal,” says Maura Regan, president, Licensing International. “It was incredible to gather together with the global brand licensing community to celebrate the industry’s incredible innovation.”

Here are the 2023 Licensing International Excellence Awards winners: 

BEST LICENSED PRODUCTS

Apparel, Footwear and Accessories for Corporate Brands –
adidas AG – adidas Original Superstar LEGO Shoes 

Apparel, Footwear and Accessories for Entertainment Brands – UGG – UGG “Sesame Street” Collection

Appliances, Housewares and Electronics for Corporate Brands – Smeg – Coca-Cola Refrigerator 

Appliances, Housewares and Electronics for Entertainment Brands – Dalstrong – “Call of Duty” Performance Culinary Collection 

Digital: Apps, Software, Video Games and NFTs – Funko – Funko Digital Pop! NFT with Kellogg’s by The Joester Loria Group 

Food or Beverage for Corporate Brands –
Mentos/Perfetti Van Melle – Mentos with Fanta 

Food or Beverage for Entertainment Brands –
Hello Fresh – Buddy the Elf Spaghetti Meal Kit

Health and Beauty Aids – SheGlam – Willy Wonka Collection

Home Décor – Jay Franco and Sons – Hasbro Board Game Blanket 

Publishing, Social Expression, Back-to-School – Chronicle Books – LEGO in Focus 

Toys, Games, Novelties, Role Play (ages 0-8) – Jakks Pacific –
Mario Kart Ride-on Racer 

Toys, Games, Novelties, Role Play (ages 8+) – The LEGO Group – LEGO Ideas “The Starry Night” with MoMA 

BEST LICENSED BRANDS 

Art, Design, Museum – Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam 

Celebrity, Influencer, Fashion – Dolly Parton – Speckled Bird by IMG 

Corporate – Kodak – Eastman Kodak Company 

Digitally Native, Gaming, NFT – “Minecraft” – |
Microsoft by CAA Brand Management 

Entertainment Animated – “Naruto” Shueisha, TV Tokyo,
VIZ Media 

Entertainment Live-Action – “Stranger Things” Netflix 

Food, Beverage, Restaurant – Coca-Cola – The Coca-Cola Company 

Publishing, Stationery, Social Expression – Crayola 

Sports, Esports, Collegiate – NFL Players Association 

Toy – Squishmallows – Jazwares 

OTHER AWARDS 

Best Experiential or Location-Based Initiative – “Harry Potter:
A Forbidden Forest Experience” – Ravenswood Experiences 

Best Collaboration: Fashion, Footwear and Accessories –
Burberry x “Minecraft” by CAA Brand Management 

Best Collaboration: HBA, Food & Beverage, Other –
Starbucks x “Emily in Paris” 

Best Licensed Promotion –
Tiffany & Co. x Andy Warhol Holiday 2022 

Best Retailer: Corporate, Lifestyle, Fashion, Sports –
Vans x Crayola 

Best Retailer: Entertainment, Character – Bloomingdale’s x “Bridgerton” 

Best Sustainability Initiative – Goodyear Brake Calipers –
FDP Brakes by IMG 

Most Impactful Service Provider – Octane5