Retailers Gather in London for Licensing for Retail Seminar and Workshop

Brand Licensing Europe's Retail Mentoring Programme culminated in London on Friday, Sept. 15, with the final step in the Programme, the Retail Seminar and Workshop. 

Delegates included groups from Asda, Morrisons, My 1st Years, Vanilla Underground, Card Factory, New Look, John Lewis and HMV.

Entries for this year’s Retail Mentoring Programme closed early, as record numbers signed up for it. The Programme kicked off with April’s Licensing for Retail Day and concludes with attendance at Brand Licensing Europe (BLE, Oct. 4-6, ExCeL, London), where delegates will enjoy a new and improved retail lounge experience. 

“This part of the Retail Mentoring Programme is always a real pleasure to run,” says Laura Freedman-Dagg, head, retail, Informa Markets’ Global Licensing Group. “Our retailers have already attended Licensing for Retail Day and spent time with some leading licensors and agents, so they really get the value of licensing. This is their opportunity to get together to hear from more experts and start to put their learnings into practice. Next stop BLE!” 

Following welcome breakfast and networking, Keith Pashley, licensing industry specialist and RMP Programme manager, opened proceedings with and introduction to the day, before Steve Manners, U.K. managing director, head, global marketing, Licensing International, provided an overview of the Programme’s partner company. 

Aysha Kidwai, chief commercial officer EMEA and APAC, Concept One, then took the stage to provide an overview of the pros and cons of Direct to Retail, followed by Sarah Lawrence (This is Iris), Lucy Earning (Halfmoon Bay) and Martin Rees-Davies (Carousel Calendars), who presented a session, Licensing the Blank Canvas. 

Other speakers included Ian Downes, director, Start Licensing; Billy Langsworthy, co-founder, Brands Untapped and Ben Roberts, content director, License Global, who provided a licensing snapshot overview. 

After lunch Dave Collins, chief executive officer, co-founder, PowerStation Studios, who provided a VR experience for attendees to try out, led a session on how to bring licensing to life, before delegates broke out into workshops with Damian Treece, senior licensing manager, Bravado.

Entries for 2024’s Retail Mentoring Programme is open. 

Register for your free ticket to Band Licensing Europe.