Licensing to Take Center Stage at Spielwarenmesse 2019Licensing to Take Center Stage at Spielwarenmesse 2019

As the world's biggest marketplace for the global toy industry, Spielwarenmesse 2019 will provide an even more robust, nuanced look at licensing trends and product innovations.

A new feature at this year's fair is LicenseTalks, a live session that will take place at the Toy Business Forum in Hall 3A on the first three days of the fair. Beginning at 10:30 a.m. each morning, licensing industry specialists will discuss the current state of licensing and unveil global trends on the horizon. On Wednesday, Jan. 30, leading voices from the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA) will take the stage to highlight licensing basics and offer a comprehensive overview on the market.

On Thursday, Jan. 31, the "Toys, Technology and Licensing" spotlight will include an array of in-depth discussions, including a talk by Sam Ferguson, vice president, global licensing, Jazwares.

The panel is organized by Steven Ekstract, brand director, UBM.

As part of "The Influence of Entertainment in the Toy Industry" focus on Friday, Feb. 1, various industry experts will offer their insights into the intersection of entertainment and toys. Speakers will include Sebastian Seppelt, senior manager, licensing, Nickelodeon/Viacom Consumer Products); Joachim Knödler, managing director, CPLG; and Werner Lenzner, licensing and strategic development manager, Simba Dickie Group.

"Licences are closely entwined with the Spielwarenmesse, which is why we're happy to give them a sufficiently wide stage and disseminate information and expertise in this field," says Ernst Kick, chief executive officer, Spielwarenmesse.

LIMA will continue to provide licensors and licensees with a central point of contact at its own stand in the foyer of Hall 12.0. Members of LIMA will have the opportunity to present their latest licenses to business contacts at the LicensePreview. Previews will take place in separate rooms in the exhibit center, and major studios such as NBC Universal and Nickelodeon have already booked slots. Visitors can locate licensed products, exhibitors and portfolios via the LicenseGuide, which will be available on Dec. 13 at Spielwarenmesse.de.