Full Brand Licensing Europe agenda now live and online including conference sessions, networking programme, fun events and after-hours events  

 

Several previously unannounced sessions revealed  
Speaker unveiled including The Walt Disney Company, Primark, MoMA, The Lego Group 
Register for a free visitor ticket to BLE today – 24-26 September, ExCeL London 
Press registration open here 
 

4 September 2024 

 

The full agenda for this year’s Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) is now live and online with newly announced educational sessions on museum and heritage brand licensing, sustainability, a focus on European variations and opportunity, resilience and career advice.  

 
This year’s expert speakers hail from an array of licensing disciplines and categories as well as wider business, with representatives from Xbox, Crafters Companion, Primark, MoMA, The Met, STUDIOCANAL, The Lego Group, The Walt Disney Company, Jazwares, Sanderson Design, Paramount UK and many more.  

 

Visitors and exhibitors to BLE now have all the information they need to fully plan their itineraries with three weeks still to go. BLE is Europe’s leading event for licensing and brand extension and takes place 24-26 September at ExCeL, London. 

 

“This year’s programme includes a free, inclusive three-day conference programme, valuable networking opportunities and lots of fun ‘not-to-be missed’ events – all great complements to the thousands of pre-planned and spontaneous, business critical meetings taking place on the show floor,” said BLE event director Ella Haynes.  

 

“We are now less than three weeks until show time – over 2220 meetings have already been arranged online between brands, retailers and manufacturers, so time is ticking, and I urge everyone to make the most of the BLE online Event Planner to find the right brands, people and businesses to book meetings with, and get those schedules filled to avoid disappointment.” 

 

 

Newly announced for Wednesday 25 September: 

 

1145-1215: The art of museum licensing 

Learn about the current museum and heritage licensing landscape, examine case studies of recent success stories, and gain key insights into the trends driving consumer behaviour into 2025 and beyond. 

Speakers:  

Josh Romm, Head of Global Licensing & Partnerships, The Met 
Robin Sayetta, Head of Business Development, MoMA 
Maxine Lister, Head of Licensing, Natural History Museum 
Marijn Veraart, Head of Global Partnerships & Licensing, Van Gogh Museum 
Moderator: Esther Jolley, Director – Brand Extension, Stobbs 
 

1400-1430: Turning a heritage brand into a global phenomenon 

Join STUDIOCANAL as they unveil their ambitious global vision for the beloved Paddington IP. This exclusive session will explore the ongoing journey of Paddington from a classic character to a worldwide cultural phenomenon ahead of the highly anticipated November release of the third blockbuster film Paddington in Peru. 

Speakers: 

Françoise Guyonnet, EVP kids brands at STUDIOCANAL & CEO Copyrights 
Sissel Henno, head of global sales licensing & retail 
 

1500-1530: Doing licensing in Europe. The distinct characteristics of the industry on the European mainland 

A comparative analysis of players in the licensing industry chain, focusing on the distinctive features, attributes and prospects for business growth in the market from the standpoint of European companies.  

Speakers: 

Fabienne Gilles, CCO consumer products and family entertainment, Peyo Company, Belgium 
David Pérez Balaguer, founder, Mad House, Spain 
Christopher Becker, director licensing & partnerships, Tonies, Germany 
Moderator: Cristina Angelucci, editor-in-chief, Licensing Magazine 
 

1515-1545: Futureproof Your brand: gaming's role in shaping tomorrow's IP landscape 

Explore how technology and distribution platforms are reshaping IP choices.  

 
Speaker: Adam Woodgate, VP Research Solutions, The Insights Family  

 

1600-1645:   Mapping a sustainable pathway: how the industry is adapting to new demands 

Speakers: 

David Boyne, managing director, Bravado 
Jeremy Orriss, director of licensing, Difuzed 
Michelle Papayannakos, sustainability director, Paramount UK 
Jakob Max Hamann, senior manager, business development & sustainability governance, The Lego Group 
Anna Halford, associate principal council, The Walt Disney Company 
Moderator: Helena Mansell-Stopher, CEO, Products of Change 
 

Newly announced for Thursday 26 September: 

 

1000-1030:  Unlocking careers in licensing: advice, and opportunities 

Speakers: 

Olivia Wiggett, licensing manager, Jazwares 
Emily Farrugia, head of product development, WildBrain CPLG 
Corinne Duckworth, commercial executive, Dreamtex 
Moderator: Steve Manners, head of global marketing and UK managing director, Licensing International 
 

1200-1230: Is resilience key to navigating industry change? 

Join us at "The Day of Purpose" for a powerful session exploring the critical role of resilience in the licensing industry. 

Host: Helen Lynch, retail brand licensing consultant & coach 

 

Speakers: 

Richard Pink MD at Pink Key Licensing 
Will Stewart, founder & CEO of Point.1888 and True Purpose enterprises Ltd 
Gabrielle Simms, director of partnerships and licensing at Sanderson Design Group plc 
 

 

The remaining agenda content follows - all sessions take place in the License Global Theatre unless otherwise stated. 

 

Tuesday 24 September  

0945-1000: Navigating the Brand Licensing Europe Showfloor 
Speakers: BLE event director Ella Haynes and Lily Drennan, BLE event manager  

 

1000-1045: Licensing 101  

Speaker: Steve Manners, head of global marketing and UK managing director, Licensing International 

 

1045-1100:  Show floor tour with members of the BLE team  

 

1100-1115:  State of the Nation  
Speaker: Ben Roberts, License Global EMEA content director  

 

1130-1200: The future of retail: elevating customer experience through immersive retail  
Speakers:  

Ryan Stana, CEO, RWS Global 
Amanda Raposo, chief experience officer, CAMP 
Sarah Jackson, global director of license & brands, Primark 
 

1130-1200:  The famous BLE character parade  

Look out for the show floor tiles highlighting this year’s new route for hi-fives, selfies and cuddles.  

 

1230-1315:  Keynote 1: When everyone plays, we all win: next-level consumer products & licensing with Xbox with John Friend, Head of Xbox Gaming Consumer Products  

 

1345-1415:  How to build a lifestyle brand 
Speakers:  

Tim Smith, SVP, licensing, IMG 
Marta Ballesteros, global licensing manager, Perfetti Van Melle Group 
Lauren Sizeland, head of licensing & business development, V&A 
 

1430-1500:  A quarter of a century as a brand licensing lawyer – what I’ve learned 
Speaker: John Burns, partner and head of brands, JMW Solicitors  

 

1600-1620: Unlock your Brand’s Potential at BLE  
Speakers:  

Matthieu Battini, EMEA Sales Director, Global Licensing Group 
Greg McDonald, Business Development & Account Director, Global Licensing Group 
Cassius Anderson, Business Development Manager, Global Licensing Group 
 

1700-1900: Brand Licensing Europe's 25th Birthday Party: Location: BLE Birthday Bar and BLE x One Piece Bar 2024 

 

Wednesday 25 September  

 

0930-1000:  The Trends to Watch in 2025  
Speaker: Elizabeth Foster, VP of content & communications, Licensing International 

 

1015-1045: Licensing 101 
Speaker: Susan Bolsover, MD and founder, Lightbulb Licensing 

 

1100-1130: Innovating fashion: the future of adaptive clothing in licensing 
Speakers:  

Karen Hewitt, Chief of Retail & Licensing, Character.com 
Emma Wilkins, Brand Manager, Character.com 
Elizabeth Layte, Buying Manager, Character.com 
 

1130-1200: The famous BLE character parade returns for the second day – follow our favourites as they wind their way through the show. 
 

1230-1315:  Keynote 2 - crafty licensing: transforming a business through brand licensing  
Speaker: Sara Davis, Founder/Director, Crafters Companion 

 

The following two events are for retail badge holders only and take place in the Retail Lounge E141. 

1500-1600: Retail Mentoring Programme 2025 drop in session  
1600-1700: Retail Happy Hour partnership with Care Bears  
 

Thursday 26 September 

1100-1130: What makes a sustainable and ethical brand in 2024? 

Speaker: William Sankey, Director of The GOOD Shopping Guide. 

 

It’s free to visit Brand Licensing Europe – simply register on the website and get access to the online Event Planner and start planning your itinerary.