BLE Launches Licensing Advice Point for Retailers

Brand Licensing Europe is launching an advice point for retailers attending the event in September: the Retail Buyers' Center.

All retailers visiting the center will receive impartial assistance from a seven-strong stable of licensing experts—irrespective of the nature of their query, the company they represent and whether they are new to licensing or are industry professionals.

The panel will guide retailers around the world of licensing, as well as the thousands of properties, products, exhibitors and opportunities available to them.

Led by licensing consultant Keith Pashley of The Keith Pashley Project, the independent panel comprised of:

"I'm delighted to be involved in this project," says Keith Pashley. "By offering this service we are showing the worldwide retail community that we are serious about addressing their individual licensing needs. Each consultant has been hand-picked for their extensive, wide-ranging experience and most important, their ability to offer impartial, practical advice."

"We need to ensure we continue to meet the needs of our ever-growing retail visitor base," says Jessica Blue, BLE event director. "The Retail Buyers' Center is the perfect starting point for retailers to navigate their way around the 2,000 properties on show.

"Our consultants will be briefed to assist everyone and every possible query: from the independent looking to get into licensing, to the grocer interested in finding the next preschool smash or the major multiple on the hunt for forthcoming movie merchandising deals. Whatever the quandary, our experts will be on hand to point retailers in the right direction throughout the duration of the event."

In addition to accessing advice sessions, the new Retail Buyers' Center also will house a meeting space and a cloakroom for the exclusive use of retailers attending the event.

Organizer Advanstar Communications is expecting the demand for sessions to be high. Retailers can make an appointment in advance by contacting Keith Pashley at [email protected].

Brand Licensing Europe takes place Sept. 30 to Oct. 1 at Olympia in London.