This comprehensive and authoritative report ranks the world's largest licensors by retail sales and identifies new products, strategies and retail promotions for hundreds of brands.

There are no better examples of the power, impact and scope of brand licensing around the world than the exclusive articles in License! Global's May issue.

This month's cover story not only reflects the celebrity aspect of licensing, but also the importance of the health and wellness category among consumers. The article reveals the new initiatives of Gwyneth Paltrow and Tracy Anderson and why the Tracy Anderson brand is poised to become one of licensing's hottest new properties.

The Licensing Expo Preview spotlights what the majority of exhibitors will be featuring, and serves as the perfect planning guide for appointments at next month's show in Las Vegas, Nev.

The University of Arizona's Global Retail Conference report not only addresses key challenges in retailing, but also reflects the importance of licensing as a merchandising strategy.

And there's the Top 150 Global Licensors report, which accounts for almost $230 billion in retail sales of licensed products worldwide in 2012, with an impressive 56 licensors reporting retail sales of $1 billion or more.

These are remarkable numbers compiled and reported by many of the world's largest and most reputable entertainment, fashion, sports league, non-profit and consumer products companies.

To put this in greater perspective and context, the total retail sales of licensed merchandise represents almost five percent of the cumulative total–$4.2 trillion–of the Global Powers of Retailing Top 250 (published by the National Retail Federation, Stores and Deloitte).

From t-shirts to the haute couture designs featuring an unlikely character to the celebrity connections to the co-branding partnerships to live events, brand licensing is the business of choice for thousands of start-up and iconic properties.

In addition, licensors, licensees and retailers are becoming more innovative with new product designs and categories and focused on creating an integrated 360-degree approach to brand extensions.

Brand licensing is a robust market when compared to just a few short years ago as more acquisitions have been made, new properties have been introduced and the apps market continues to explode–all trends that will continue in the foreseeable future.