Licensing Expo has revealed speaker information confirmed on the seminar program for the upcoming event slated to be held May 24-26 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Registered guests benefit from live content and educational offerings, including Licensing U, a returning program produced in partnership with industry trade association Licensing International, a free orientation session designed for new and alumni attendees alike and free Sustainability Sessionspresented through an expanded partnership with Products of Change (POC).

Senior-level executives from many of the industry’s most prominent companies will take the stage at Licensing Expo and impart highly sought-after insights spanning the most challenging and emergent topics impacting the licensing ecosystem, from NFTs and TikTok to the new rules of retail and international distribution law. Among the brands represented include License Global, Paramount, LEGO, Hot Topic, WildBrain, Seltzer Licensing Group, Ferdinand IP Law Group, Formula E, Beanstalk, PhatMojo, Watermelon Creative, JS Product Design, Smiley, Licensing International and Products of Change (POC).

“This is a highly collaborative industry that thrives off one another’s successes and helps each other through challenges,” says Maura Regan, president, Licensing International. “The educational offerings at Licensing Expo are unmatched and truly reflect the times. Our mission with this year’s Licensing U content is to arm attendees, both new and established licensing professionals, with new ideas and ways of tackling today’s most pressing challenges, and we do so by tapping into the best talent the industry has to offer to create meaningful and highly anticipated educational sessions.”

Licensing U content will be available both live and on-demand, enhancing the value of the experience for all attendees and exhibitors. Passes for Licensing U are now available and start from $150 with a 10% discount for LI members; those wishing to access the content must be registered to attend Licensing Expo and LU, located here. The full agenda can be found below.

LICENSING EXPO AGENDA & CONFIRMED SPEAKERS:

Tuesday, May 24

Orientation Session, 9:30-10:00 a.m.

This is a must-attend session for new attendees or alumni eager to see what’s new at Licensing Expo this year. Howard Gelb, vice president, sales, and Amanda Cioletti, vice president, content and strategy, Global Licensing Group, will lead a thorough discussion that offers tips on navigating the exhibit hall and all the can’t-miss features so you leave feeling as if the event has been created just for you. Get a lay of the land to maximize your time and meet other first-time attendees to kick start your networking for the week.

Licensing U - Back to Basics, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Speaker: Stu Seltzer, president, Seltzer Licensing Group

Learn everything you need to know about licensing if you're new to the industry. This session answers all your questions about licensors, licensees, agents and agreements.          

Licensing U - WTF is up with NFTs, 11:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Speaker: Jed Ferdinand, senior managing partner, Ferdinand IP Law Group

Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and the Metaverse are on everyone's radar right now, but what exactly are they, and how can you take advantage of this new digital world?

Sustainability 101, 12:00 – 12:45 p.m.

Speakers: Helena Mansell-Stopher, chief executive officer, Products of Change; Andrea Green, principle, Globally Green;Simon Gresswell, managing director, SGLP Ltd;Jakob Hamann, product sustainability manager, Lego;Charlotte Hughes, senior licensing manager, Formula E;Maxine Lister, licensing head, Natural History Museum.

A deep dive into the science behind why sustainable transformation is vital for business future prosperity.

KEYNOTE 1, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Details to be announced soon

Licensing U - Press Play on YouTube and TikTok, 3:15 – 3:45 p.m.

Speaker: Deirdre Brennan, chief operating officer, WildBrain

The days of relying solely on linear media are long gone. YouTube and TikTok are the new juggernauts, which means it's crucial to understand how these digital platforms capture consumers' hearts and drive franchise development.   

Licensing U - The Upside of Licensing: Leading with Intention for Social Impact, 4:00 – 4:30 p.m.

Speakers: Ms. Opal Lee of The Grandmother of Juneteenth; Anita Castellar of FanGirl Consulting & Brand Management, LLC; Genna Rosenberg of GennComm ImaGENNation

Learn about the journey to see Juneteenth named a national holiday and reflect on how brands can lead with the intention to build purpose-driven licensing programs focused on social good.

“Who knew at 95 that I would need a licensing agent,” says Ms. Opal Lee. “I'm amazed at what Women in Toys has been able to get done as we work together to make this the best country in the world.”

Wednesday, May 25

Licensing U - The New Rules of Retail,9:30 – 10:00 a.m.

Speakers: Ed Labay, senior vice president, general merchandise manager, merchandise, marketing and licensing, Hot Topic; Sarah Swindell, owner and designer, Watermelon Creative; Jennifer Sandberg, owner and designer, JS Product Design

Forget what you thought you knew about the style guide because fast-fashion retailers' desire for differentiation is all the rage, and by adapting your creative requirements, you can better respond to global and regional trends. 

Brands with Purpose - Sustainable Manufacturing, 10:15 – 11:00 a.m.

Speakers: Amy Low, brand and marketing director, Piping Hot Australia; Stan Wan, chief executive officer and managing director, Piping Hot Australia; Keith Loiselle, president, Greenr; Brenda Seto, ambassador, Products of Change; Helena Mansell-Stopher, chief executive officer, Products of Change.

Piping Hot, the purpose-driven fashion brand, and Greenr, a global producer of sustainable stationery, join POC to discuss their sustainable journey so far.

KEYNOTE 2 - From Dream to Reality: The Power of Brand Licensing for Location-Based Entertainment, 12:00 - 1.00 p.m.

Speakers: Cecil D. Magpuri, chief executive officer and co-founder, Falcon's Beyond; Robert L. Ward, president and chief executive officer, Robert L. Ward, Inc.; Susan Vargo, head, live events and location-based experiences, Moonbug; George Wade, president, Bay Laurel Partners

This keynote panel brings together the brightest and most respected names in the business to help you understand all the many things you must consider when developing and executing an LBE deal (including how best to protect brand integrity) and will arm you with insight to make your extension dream a reality.

Licensing U - Information Overload, 2:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Speakers:The Insights Family; Bill Graham, president, PhatMojo

More research is available than ever before, which is why it's critical for companies to use that information effectively. Learn what part data should play in your decision-making process without stifling radical creativity.    

Licensing U - The Lowdown on International Distribution Law, 2:30 – 3:00 p.m.

Speakers: Amadu Sowe, vice president, business and legal affairs, Paramount; Steve Manners, head, global marketing, Licensing International

Product distribution in the U.S. can be as broad or limited as the licensor permits, but the same can't be said for the EU and the U.K. Learn everything you need to know about global anti-competitive regulations and how to make the right commercial decisions for your business.  

Thursday, May 26

Sustainability in Licensing, 10.30 - 11.30 a.m.

Speakers: Matt Winton, vice president, global marketing partnerships at Smiley Company; Linda Morgenstern, vice president, brand management, Beanstalk; Philippe Glorieux, head, marketing and communications, IMP The Smurfs; Helena Mansell-Stopher, chief executive officer, Products of Change

Join Smiley, Beanstalk and The Smurfs to discuss how licensors and agents are embracing sustainable change.

All sessions will take place in the Licensing U Theatre. Sessions marked as part of Licensing U require a pass to access; all other sessions are free of charge and will be offered first-come-first-serve.

“The people behind the companies, large and small, that make up the licensing industry are what bring fresh ideas and exciting new brand extension strategies to the table and drive business growth,” says Anna Knight, senior vice president, licensing, Global Licensing Group. “Industry challenges will constantly emerge, and our community is always looking for the next exciting idea and the experts that are confirmed to speak at Licensing Expo are the very people that are spearheading advancement and spark curiosity. We could not be more excited to continue our educational programs at Licensing Expo to facilitate important conversations."