Licensing Expo, produced in partnership with industry trade association Licensing International, revealed Paramount and VaynerMedia, two of the world’s largest and respected brands in the entertainment and NFT industries, will be delivering the Opening Day Keynote. Slated for May 24, 2022, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, this highly anticipated panel brings together the most respected visionaries in the industry for trend-driven presentations.
Pam Kaufman, President of Consumer Products and Experiences for Paramount, and Gary Vaynerchuk, Chairman of VaynerX, the CEO of VaynerMedia and the Creator and CEO of VeeFriends, are gearing up to discuss the opportunities that lie ahead for the $292-billion licensing industry. The pair will arm the audience with key takeaways and take a peek into how our connected world will impact the business of brand licensing.
“Brand extension and the burgeoning digital space are a perfect match; there are so many opportunities for IP owners to engage with consumers in ways we couldn’t even have fathomed a few years ago, like NFTs,” said Anna Knight, SVP of the Global Licensing Group, organizer of Licensing Expo. “Technology is a game-changer for the licensing industry, catalyzing new ways for brand owners across categories to meet consumers across the globe on whatever platform they’re on and create new revenue streams.”
Knight continued, “We are so excited to share the news that Gary and Pam, two of the world’s most respected experts in their fields, will address the Licensing Expo community to discuss what’s next for our dynamic industry — this will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you won’t want to miss.”
“We are thrilled to share this keynote presentation with the licensing community,” said Maura Regan, President of Licensing International. “Education is part of our ongoing work to foster the growth and expansion of licensing around the world, and also a cornerstone of Licensing Expo. Pam and Gary are innovators in their fields and their expertise and insights will inspire the Licensing Expo audience, driving the business forward.”
Details on the Opening keynote panel:
The Power of Possibilities: What’s Ahead for Licensing
Located in the Licensing U Theater on May 24 from 2-3 p.m.
Consumers today are more connected than ever, which means there are endless possibilities available to the IP owners, creators, licensees and retailers that want to engage with them. Join Paramount’s Pam Kaufman and VaynerMedia’s Gary Vaynerchuk as they explore the most effective ways to meet consumers where they are (everywhere they are).
Following the Opening keynote address, executives from Falcon’s Beyond, Robert L. Ward, Moonbug, and Bay Laurel Advisors (moderator) will deliver the 2nd Day Keynote on May 25 in a panel held from 12–1 p.m. The expert-led discussion will explore “From Dream to Reality: The Power of Brand Licensing for Location-Based Entertainment.”
“Licensing opens so many opportunities across categories for IP owners, retailers and manufacturers alike to reach new audiences, a recurring theme throughout this year’s keynote presentations,” added Knight. “People are looking to experience again, and location-based experiences (LBE) and digital collectibles, for example, are becoming increasingly popular no matter what industry you’re in.”
Kaufman oversees Paramount’s global Consumer Products business, representing well over $5.5 billion in worldwide retail revenue, and Experiences including Gaming, Broadway, Themed Entertainment, VidCon and Live Tours. Kaufman has oversight of worldwide product merchandising and licensing as well as business development, marketing, franchise planning, creative strategy, retail sales and consumer insights. Kaufman also oversees the company’s NFT creations, in a collaborative cross-functional effort driven by Consumer Products. Receiving many awards and accolades throughout her career, Kaufman was honored with the Wonder Women Mentorship Award, Women in Toys, 2019; Women of Inspiration, Delivering Good, 2018; Women to Watch, Multichannel News, 2015 and Entertainment Marketer of the Year, Advertising Age, 2003.
Vaynerchuk is considered one of the leading global minds on what’s next in culture, relevance and the internet. Known as “GaryVee,” he is described as one of the most forward thinkers in business — he acutely recognizes trends and patterns early to help others understand how these shifts impact markets and consumer behavior. Whether it’s emerging artists, eSports, NFT investing or digital communications, Vaynerchuk understands how to bring brand relevance to the forefront. In addition to running multiple businesses, Vaynerchuk documents his life daily as a CEO through his social media channels and hosts a podcast ‘The GaryVee Audio Experience,’ which ranks among the top podcasts globally. He is a five-time New York Times Best-Selling Author and one of the most highly sought-after public speakers.
