We continue our series of exhibitor spotlights for Licensing Expo Japan with a look at Ingram Co.

The Japanese licensing agency represents clients from around the world including WWE, Team Japan for the 2020 Olympics and Route 66. It uses its expertise in the region to uncover licensing opportunities for its diverse set of clients.

Ahead of LEJ this September, License Global takes a look at Ingram and its stable of partners.

An Expert in the Licensing Market in Japan

As a longstanding LEJ exhibitor, Ingram has extensive experience at the event and in licensing in Japan. In a 2017 interview with License Global, the agency shared some of its unique experience licensing in the region, specifically pointing out ways character licensing differs in Japan when compared to other territories.

“Japan's licensing market shares the same characteristics as other overseas markets, yet, from another standpoint, it is completely different,” the company said. “If we are to point out one big difference, Japanese consumers traditionally love and are familiar with characters much longer than those in the overseas markets.”

Bringing International Institutions to Japan

Ingram has become a force in the Japanese licensing market by representing both regional partners and international ones. Regionally, the agency has represented Japanese companies such as San-X with their colorful character properties including Rilakkuma, Tarepanda, Kutusita Nyanko and Afro Ken for U.S. licensing oppurtunities. Internationally, Ingram has found global success by working with clients such as Boeing, UCLA, I Love NY and the University of Oxford for Japanese licensing deals.

Specifically, with educational institutions, the agency has found a niche in optimizing the brand potential of globally know universities. Ingram is currently working on a licensing program for the 100-year anniversary of UCLA and has worked closely with Oxford since early last year.

Meet with Ingram Co. at LEJ

Co-located with the Tokyo International Gift Show, LEJ runs Sept. 3-6 and provides one of the biggest stages for licensing industry discussions in the country. It even provides licensing professionals the chance to connect with nearly 2,900 existing and potential licensee companies that exhibit.

To learn more about Ingram, be sure to register for LEJ 2019 and visit them on the LEJ show floor