Licensing Expo Names New Head

Jessica Blue has been promoted to vice president of Licensing Expo, the licensing sector's most important event held in Las Vegas, Nev., from her current position as event director of Brand Licensing Europe. Both events are produced by the Advanstar Licensing Group.

In her new role, Blue will assume leadership for the strategic planning, growth, sales and day-to-day management of the annual Licensing Expo.

“As the licensing business becomes more and more global and brands increase their focus on expanding abroad, it was vital that we bring in someone who could give the show that global perspective,” says Chris DeMoulin, president of licensing and executive vice president of worldwide customer development, Advanstar Communications. “Jessica, a seasoned European executive who has had great success expanding the reach of our European show, was a natural fit for the role.”

Blue has been with Advanstar since 2005. In the last five years she doubled the size of BLE and repositioned the show as a Pan-European, just a U.K., event. She also introduced a variety of new innovations including the retail mentoring program and the studio screening suites. 

This year Blue and her U.K. team will host the largest BLE in its history on October 16-18, and she will leave the event poised for future growth in 2013 through category expansion and a dramatic re-merchandising of the show floor.

Blue, currently based in London, will continue in her role with BLE until after the completion of this year's show. She will relocate to Advanstar headquarters in Santa Monica, Calif., at the beginning of 2013.

"I am delighted to be taking up this position at the world’s leading event for the licensing industry,” says Blue. “Having focused on BLE and the European market for seven years, I look forward to immersing myself in the global market and ensuring that the show reflects the needs of our exhibitors, attendees and partners.”