License! Global has announced the finalists of its annual One to Watch contest, which seeks out new and creative brand licensing concepts, held in conjunction with Licensing Expo.

April 6, 2018

2 Min Read

The annual contest finds emerging brands with licensing potential. The winner will be showcased in the Licensing Expo Show Dailies.

License! Global has announced the finalists of its annual One to Watch contest, which seeks out new and creative brand licensing concepts, held in conjunction with Licensing Expo.

The contest is designed to recognize innovative properties that are making their debut in the licensing marketplace at Licensing Expo, June 21-23, in Las Vegas, Nev.

In order to be considered, brands must be exhibiting at Licensing Expo for the first time this year and cannot have been licensed on more than two products prior to Jan. 1, 2015.

A License! Global judging panel selected the finalists from more than 45 entries based on each brand’s level of originality, licensing potential and alignment with today’s marketplace.

The winner will be announced on the first day of Licensing Expo, June 21. The winning brand will receive a feature in the Show Dailies, and the winner and all runner-ups will receive promotional support from both Licensing Expo and License! Global throughout the show and in the year ahead.

“It is amazing to see the professionalism and talent that is coming into the licensing business,” says Steven Ekstract, group publisher, License! Global. “All of the finalists in the One to Watch contest are best-in-class examples of innovation and creativity. Each of the finalists have created brands that show ingenuity and a keen understanding of pop culture trends and the products that consumers want to purchase. Once again, the One to Watch lives up to its moniker. Congratulations to all the finalists.”

The finalists of the 2016 One to Watch competition are:

  • The Weirds–The Weirds are a collection of original characters that were born to promote individuality. The brand aims to send the message that many people can identify with: that being “weird” is cool.

  • The British Museum (TSBA Group)–This London-based museum is the oldest public museum in the world, and now it’s looking to win over the consumer product marketplace with its licensing campaign for its vast collection of art and artifacts.

  • Whatif Monster (MNS Creative)–The Whatif Monster, created by Michelle Nelson-Schmidt, is a character in the children’s book Jonathan James and the Whatif Monster and is a small green creature that fills Jonathan’s head with worry and doubt. However, the book aims to provide a message that will resonate with children and adults alike.

  • Heart and Brain (The Awkward Yeti)–“Heart and Brain” is a spinoff series of “The Awkward Yeti” comics and follows the inner dialogue between the cynical, society-influenced Brain and the impulsive, optimistic Heart.

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