On Tuesday Sept. 13, the licensing industry gathered in The Great Room at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel to learn the winners of the 2022 Licensing Awards. 

The event marked the first gathering of licensing professionals since the passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth II, so the hosts for the evening, Max Publishing’s Ian Hyder and Jakki Brown, kicked off proceedings with an solemnly observed one-minute silence. Jakki Brown highlighted the enormity of the loss of The Queen, but also highlighted the importance that this event and next week’s Brand Licensing Europe were able to go ahead, thanking all those behind the scenes who have helped to make the events happen. 

Compere for the night, comedian Tom Allen, was then welcomed to the stage to kick off the awards ceremony, but not before the 1,200-strong crowd recognized the achievements of its peers, the Light Fund English Channel relay swimmers, who raised over £268,000 for the industry charity and the RNLI when they completed their epic feat, in treacherous conditions, earlier this year. 

The 2022 Licensing Award Winners: 

U.K. Rising Star: Jessica Dodd, Hasbro 

Retail Category 

Best Retailer of Preschool Licensed Products (Age Group 0-5): Asda 

Best Retailer of Kids’ Licensed Products (Age Group 5-16): Smyths Toys 

Best Retailer of Adult Licensed Products: HMV 

The Radar Award: Vanilla Underground 

Best Overseas Retailer of Licensed Products: Aldi 

Best Licensed Retail Marketing Initiative: Pokémon x Charli Cohen Electric/City Brandiverse, with Selfridges 

Best Licensed Promotions Campaign: The Very Hungry Caterpillar Meal Box Campaign, with Deliveroo 

Best Licensed Live Event: Doctor Who: Time Fracture Immersive Event, from Immersive Everywhere 

Product Category 

Best Licensed Toys or Games Range: Bluey Play-Sets, from Moose Toys 

Best Licensed Dress-Up or Partyware: Baby Shark Party, Balloon and Costume Range, from Amscan International 

Best Licensed Preschool Apparel or Accessories Range: Peppa Pig #Plantwithpeppa Range for Character.com, from Fashion UK 

Best Licensed Children’s Apparel or Accessories Range: Peanuts Children’s Range, from Marks and Spencer 

Best Licensed Adult Apparel or Accessories Range: Bridgerton Collection, from Stradivarius 

Best Licensed Written, Listening or Learning Range: LEGO DUPLO Audio Cards, from Yoto 

Best Licensed Paper Products or Stationery Range: Unilever Famous Foods Greeting Cards, from Tache 

Best Licensed Giftware Range, Home Décor, Tableware or Housewares Range: Winnie the Pooh Bath and Body Collection, from Mad Beauty 

Best Licensed Food or Drink Range: Friends Central Perk Hot Beverage Range, from Cafféluxe 

The Innovation Award: Thomas and Friends Sensory Friendly Range, from Character.com 

Best Sustainable Licensed Product: Peppa Pig Plant with Peppa Collection, for George@Asda 

Property Category 

Best Preschool Licensed Property: Bluey 

Best Children’s or Tween Licensed Property: Wizarding World 

Best Teen or Adult Licensed Property: Stranger Things 

Best Gaming Licensed Property: Pokémon 

Best Film Licensed Property: Encanto 

Best Music or Celebrity Licensed Property: Billie Faiers 

Best Sports Licensed Property: Tottenham Hotspur Football Club 

The Classic Licensed Property Award: Paddington 

What Kids Love Award: Minecraft 

Honorary Achievement Award 2022: Stephen Gould 

The awards are owned and organized by Max Publishing and were supported by headline sponsor, Brand Licensing Europe 2022, and industry trade body, Licensing International.