Licensing Academy and Brands & Lifestyle Theatre to feature more free sessions.

Brand Licensing Europe has unveiled its biggest ever educational program, which this year will feature 25 free sessions across the Licensing Academy and the Brands & Lifestyle Theatre.

These sessions will be held during BLE 2015, which will take place Oct. 13-15 at London’s Olympia and is sponsored by the Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association.

“The educational element of the show is just as important to visitors as the exhibitor lineup," says Darren Brechin, event director, BLE. "For many it’s a chance to discover the latest industry statistics, hear case study examples of how and why licensing has worked for them, and offers access to a raft of industry experts. For those who are new to licensing or the show, each morning the Licensing Academy program opens with a beginners guide from LIMA, the perfect way to set yourself up for the day. We launched our Brands & Lifestyle Theatre two years ago and have watched it go from strength to strength. These niche seminar sessions are ideal for anyone looking to drill down into a specific category. This is all in addition to our two high-profile keynotes, which will be unveiled shortly.”?

The two educational theatres will offer visitors unique insights into the licensing industry from leading experts. New this year will be seminars from the event’s Knowledge Partners on key trends and industry facts and figures.

The Licensing Academy will feature 16 free seminar sessions, covering topics such as licensing basics, guidance on licensing contracts and industry facts and trends from speakers including LIMA, Gately, GfK, Planet Retail and the NPD Group. New sessions from the trade organization SPLiCE will address the topics of anti-counterfeiting, social accountability and direct-to-retail in conjunction with a host of partner organizations.

In the Brands & Lifestyle Theatre, which is run in conjunction with Brand Jam, nine sessions will cover the business of licensing across the sports, not-for-profit, food and drink, museums, heritage and children’s categories. Speakers will include IMG Worldwide, Help for Heroes, Beanstalk, British Library, Imperial War Museums, V&A, Barbie Mattel and Warner Bros Consumer Products.

The full seminar program is below and can also be found at BrandLicensing.eu. To register for free for BLE and to get more information about the show visit BrandLicensing.eu.

Licensing Academy

Tuesday, Oct. 13

9:30–10:00 a.m.–"Licensing Explained" with Kelvyn Gardner, managing director, LIMA U.K.

10:30-11:10 a.m.–"The Licensing Contract: Avoiding the Pitfalls" with John Burns, partner, Gateley

11:30 a.m.-12:10 p.m.–"Licensing Facts, Figures & Trends I: Consumer Products" with Max Templeman, senior account manager, GfK

12:30-1:30 p.m.–Keynote Address, to be announced

2:15-3:15 p.m.–"SPLiCE Anti-Counterfeiting Roundtable" featuring Christian Fortmann, 24IP; Benoit Goyens, World Customs Organization; Trevor Little, World Trademark Review and Nicole Maric, United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime

3:30-4:30 p.m.–"SPLiCE Social Accountability Panel" featuring brands and industry thought leadership including Gina Atwood, Nike and Clement Francescini, Insight Licensing Services

Wednesday, Oct. 14

9:30–10:00 a.m.–"Licensing Explained" with Kelvyn Gardner, managing director, LIMA U.K.

10:30-11:10 a.m.–"Licensing Facts, Figures + Trends II: Toys & Entertainment" with Frederique Tutt, toys global industry analyst, the NPD Group

11:30 a.m.-12:10 p.m.–"Panel: Understanding the Potential of Online Gaming Communities" moderated by Dan Amos, head of new media, Tinderbox

12:30-1:10 p.m.–Keynote Address, to be announced

2:15-3:15 p.m.–"SPLiCE Direct-to-Retail Panel" featuring Dawn Ciccone, PBS; Christine Cool, Chupa Chups; John Carolan, Sainsbury’s

3:30-4:.10–"Understanding New Viewing Figures, Ratings and Audiences for TV" with panel, to be announced

Thursday, Oct. 15

9:30–10:00 a.m.–"Licensing Explained" with Kelvyn Gardner, managing director, LIMA U.K

10:30-11:10 a.m.–"Licensing Facts Figures Trends III: Retail Trends and Opportunities for Licensing" with Daniel Johansson, associate analyst, Planet Retail

11:30 a.m.-12:10 p.m.–"Bringing Design, Art & Illustration to the World of Licensing" moderated by Sarah Lawrence, managing director, Iris

12:30-1:30 p.m.–"License This! 2015: The Final" chaired by Kelvyn Gardner, managing director, LIMA U.K. Judging panel: Charlie Donaldson, managing director, Rocket Licensing; Tom Gunn, international brand director, EMEA, MTV Networks; Wendy Munt, managing director, Be Inspired Consulting

Brands & Lifestyle Theatre

Tuesday, Oct. 13

10:30-11:10 a.m.–"The 10 Rules of Successful Sports Licensing" with Simon Gresswell, vice president, Europe, IMG Worldwide Licensing and Consumer Products

12:30-1:10 p.m.–"Cause and Effect: Impact from Not-for-Profit Brand Partnerships" led by Marcus O’Shea, head of brand partnerships, Help for Heroes

Wednesday, Oct. 14

10:30-11:10 a.m.–"Food and Drink Licensing 360" moderated by Louise French, associate vice president, business development and marketing, Beanstalk

11:30 a.m.-12:10 p.m.–"Winning Strategies: Using Licensing to Grow Your Brand" moderated by Bruno Schwobthaler, author, Licensing for Growth

12:30-1:10 p.m.–"Museum and Heritage Brand Licensing" moderated by Caroline Brown, head of commercial services, British Library and with Anne Buky, licensing consultant, Imperial War Museums; Lauren Sizeland, director of business development and licensing, V&A

Thursday, Oct. 15, Brand Jam Selection

10:30-11:10 a.m.–"From Kids to High Fashion" with Matthew Repicky, head of global brand marketing and partnerships, Barbie, Mattel; and Emanuela Tartari, category director, apparel, accessories, housewares and domestics, Warner Bros. Consumer Products EMEA. Hosted by Paolo Lucci, Brand Jam

11:30 a.m.-12:10 p.m.–"Beyond Football: Lifestyle Licensing to Men" speakers to be announced

12:30-1:10 p.m.–"A Global Brand Story"?speak to be announced