10 Mins With… Danilo

What are your goals for this year's Brand Licensing Europe event?  

The primary goal this year is to reconnect with the industry. Having seen my licensing colleagues on screens for the last 18 months, it will be great to meet up again in real life. I think there will be a real buzz from everyone being back together again and talking through the latest news and views of the licensing world. I will be there to seek new opportunities to work with new exciting brands. 

What do you look for in a licensing partner?  

It's important that the licensing partner has a good understanding of your product category, as every category operates differently from the other. So, selecting the right license for the right

What changes have you seen in the industry?  

The biggest change is the focus on sustainability. It's a subject that is now at the forefront of most product discussions with both licensors and retailers. For Danilo, sustainability is a key strategic pillar, and we are truly focused on building a more sustainable future for our business and the world.   

Why are events like Brand Licensing Europe so important? 

It's the energy and buzz that is generated by bringing like-minded people together. The launch of a new brand or some exciting plans can have a far greater impact when announced at events like BLE, as everyone starts talking about it straight away and is immediately at the forefront of people's minds when they leave the event. 

What are some of your recent product collaborations and how did they come about? 

We launch many product ranges throughout the year across our greeting cards and calendars. We work across more than 150 licensed properties, so there is always something new coming through and the strong evergreen brands that form a massive foundation for our business. Recently, we have seen growth in gaming with titles such as "Minecraft," X-Box and "Warhammer," which have been added to our roster. However, most of our business is still driven by the core evergreen titles across the various age groups.  

From a sustainability perspective, we aim to collaborate with like-minded brand partners such as the BBC, Discovery Channel and the RHS, which provides us with brands to highlight the steps we are making with sustainable products.