Licensing Expo revealed speaker information confirmed on the seminar program for the upcoming event slated to be held May 24-26 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Registered guests benefit from live content and educational offerings, including Licensing U, a returning program produced in partnership with industry trade association Licensing International, a free Orientation Session designed for new and alumni attendees alike, and free Sustainability Sessions presented through an expanded partnership with Products of Change (POC).
Senior-level executives from many of the industry’s most prominent companies will take the stage at Licensing Expo and impart insights spanning topics impacting the licensing ecosystem, from NFTs and TikTok to the new rules of retail and international distribution law. Among the brands represented include License Global, Paramount, LEGO, Hot Topic, WildBrain CPLG, Seltzer Licensing Group, Ferdinand IP Law Group, Formula E, Beanstalk, PhatMojo, Watermelon Creative, JS Product Design, Smiley, Licensing International, and Products of Change (POC).
“This is a highly collaborative industry that thrives off one another’s successes and helps each other through challenges,” said Maura Regan, President of Licensing International. “The educational offerings at Licensing Expo are unmatched and truly reflect the times. Our mission with this year’s Licensing U content is to arm attendees, both new and established licensing professionals, with new ideas and ways of tackling today’s most pressing challenges, and we do so by tapping into the best talent the industry has to offer to create meaningful and highly anticipated educational sessions.”
Licensing U content will be available both live and on-demand, enhancing the value of the experience for all attendees and exhibitors.
LICENSING EXPO AGENDA & CONFIRMED SPEAKERS:
Tuesday, May 24
Orientation Session, 9:30-10:00 a.m.
This is a must-attend session for new attendees or alumni eager to see what’s new at Licensing Expo this year. Howard Gelb, VP of Sales, and Amanda Cioletti, VP of Content and Strategy, Global Licensing Group, will lead a thorough discussion that offers tips on navigating the exhibit hall and all the can’t-miss features. Get a lay of the land to maximize time and meet other first-time attendees to kick start networking for the week.
Licensing U – Back to Basics, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Speaker: Stu Seltzer, President of Seltzer Licensing Group
Learn about licensing if you’re new to the industry. This session answers questions about licensors, licensees, agents and agreements.
Licensing U – WTF is up with NFTs, 11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Speaker: Jed Ferdinand, senior managing partner at Ferdinand IP Law Group
Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and the Metaverse are on everyone’s radar right now, but what exactly are they, and how can attendees take advantage of this new digital world?
Sustainability 101, 12:00 – 12:45 p.m.
Speakers: Helena Mansell-Stopher, CEO at Products of Change; Andrea Green, Principal at Globally Green; Simon Gresswell, Managing Director at SGLP Ltd; Jakob Hamann, Product Sustainability Manager at Lego; Charlotte Hughes, Senior Licensing Manager at Formula E; Maxine Lister, Head of Licensing at Natural History Museum
A deep dive into the science behind why sustainable transformation is vital for business future prosperity.
KEYNOTE 1, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Details to be announced soon
Licensing U – Press Play on YouTube and TikTok, 3:15 – 3:45 p.m.
Speaker: Deirdre Brennan, COO of WildBrain CPLG
YouTube and TikTok are the new juggernauts, which means it’s crucial to understand how these digital platforms capture consumers’ hearts and drive franchise development.
Licensing U – The Upside of Licensing: Leading with Intention for Social Impact, 4:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Speakers: Ms. Opal Lee of The Grandmother of Juneteenth; Anita Castellar of FanGirl Consulting & Brand Management, LLC; Genna Rosenberg of GennComm ImaGENNation
Learn about the journey to see Juneteenth named a national holiday and reflect on how brands can lead with the intention to build purpose-driven licensing programs focused on social good.
Wednesday, May 25
Licensing U – The New Rules of Retail, 9:30 – 10:00 a.m.
Speakers: Ed Labay, SVP GMM Merchandise, Marketing and Licensing at Hot Topic; Sarah Swindell, owner and designer at Watermelon Creative; Jennifer Sandberg, owner and designer at JS Product Design
Fast-fashion retailers’ desire for differentiation is all the rage, and by adapting creative requirements, attendees can better respond to global and regional trends.
Brands with Purpose – Sustainable Manufacturing, 10:15 – 11:00 a.m.
Speakers: Amy Low, Brand and Marketing Director at Piping Hot Australia; Stan Wan, CEO and Managing Director at Piping Hot Australia; Keith Loiselle, President at Greenr; Brenda Seto, Ambassador at Products of Chang; Helena Mansell-Stopher, CEO at Products of Change
Piping Hot, the purpose-driven fashion brand, and Greenr, a global producer of sustainable stationery, join POC to discuss their sustainable journey so far.
KEYNOTE 2 – From Dream to Reality: The Power of Brand Licensing for Location-Based Entertainment, 12:00 – 1.00 p.m.
Speakers: Cecil D. Magpuri, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Falcon’s Beyond; Robert L. Ward, President and Chief Executive Officer, Robert L. Ward, Inc.; Susan Vargo, Head of Live Events and Location-based Experiences, Moonbug; George Wade, President, Bay Laurel Partners
This keynote panel brings together key players in the business to help understand all the many things that must be considered when developing and executing an LBE deal (including how best to protect brand integrity) and will arm attendees with insight to make their extension dream a reality.
Licensing U – Information Overload, 2:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Speakers: The Insights Family; Bill Graham, president of PhatMojo
More research is available than ever before, which is why it’s critical for companies to use that information effectively. Learn what part data should play in decision-making process without stifling radical creativity.
Licensing U – The Lowdown on International Distribution Law, 2:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Speakers: Amadu Sowe, VP of Business & Legal Affairs at Paramount; Steve Manners, Head of Global Marketing at Licensing International
Product distribution in the US can be as broad or limited as the licensor permits, but the same can’t be said for the EU and the UK. Learn about global anti-competitive regulations and how to make the right commercial decisions.
Thursday, May 26
Sustainability in Licensing, 10.30 – 11.30 a.m.
Speakers: Matt Winton, VP of Global Marketing Partnerships at Smiley Company; Linda Morgenstern, Vice President, Brand Management at Beanstalk; Philippe Glorieux, Head of Marketing and Communications at IMP The Smurfs; Helena Mansell-Stopher, CEO at Products of Change
Join Smiley, Beanstalk, and The Smurfs to discuss how licensors and agents are embracing sustainable change.
All sessions will take place in the Licensing U Theatre. Sessions marked as part of Licensing U require a pass to access; all other sessions are free of charge and will be offered first-come-first-serve.
Speaker Ms. Opal Lee remarked, “Who knew at 95 that I would need a licensing agent! I’m amazed at what Women in Toys has been able to get done as we work together to make this the best country in the world.”
Anna Knight, SVP of the Global Licensing Group, added, “The people behind the companies, large and small, that make up the licensing industry are what bring fresh ideas and exciting new brand extension strategies to the table and drive business growth. Industry challenges will constantly emerge, and our community is always looking for the next exciting idea and the experts that are confirmed to speak at Licensing Expo are the very people that are spearheading advancement and spark curiosity. We could not be more excited to continue our educational programs at Licensing Expo to facilitate important conversations.”
