Topics have been announced for Licensing U, part of Licensing Expo being produced in May by Licensing International.
The goal of the program is to provide attendees with information on the licensing industry. Expert-led education topics will include NFTs, TikTok, retail, and more. Passes for Licensing U will become available on April 11 on the online platform.
“The licensing industry must evolve at a rapid pace to stay in sync with the changing needs of consumers, making education and peer-to-peer deliberation more important than ever before,” said Maura Ragan, President of Licensing International.
“We’ve never faced challenges quite like those experienced in the past few years, both as a collective industry and personally. This year’s edition of Licensing U will deliver expert-led, trend-focused education and will also serve as a creative outlet and a platform for much-needed conversation that we are proud to facilitate jointly with Licensing Expo.”
This year, Licensing U content will be available both in-person and online. This will change the nature of the experience for all attendees and exhibitors in a variety of ways.
The in-person content provided by the Licensing U pass includes live sessions followed by Q & As and in-person follow-ups with speakers. These sessions will be occurring at the Licensing Expo on May 24-26.
Attendees can also participate in a show floor tour with Licensing International to help them identify key trends and popular new brands. A drinks reception will be held at the Licensing International booth.
The online content will become accessible via the online platform from May 26. This virtual content will enable participants to prioritize meetings during the live event.
“We’re in a trend-driven industry,” said Anna Knight, SVP of the Global Licensing Group.
“As such, it’s crucial for licensees and licensors alike to have a pulse on the latest trends that are shaping consumer behavior to inspire and drive business forward. Our attending and exhibiting communities rely on Licensing U every year to discover new ways to creatively address current challenges and dig deeper into exciting trends to better leverage brand extension as a strategic tool.”
The speaker line-up of industry experts will be disclosed in advance of the online platform opening on April 11nwhe conference passes will become available.
Here’s the schedule
Tuesday, May 24
9:30-10:00 a.m.: Back to Basics
Learn everything you need to know about licensing if you’re new to the industry. This session answers all your questions about licensors, licensees, agents, and agreements.
10:15-11:00 a.m.: The New Rules of Retail
Forget what you thought you knew about the style guide because fast-fashion retailers’ desire for differentiation is all the rage. And by adapting your creative requirements, you can better respond to global and regional trends.
4:00-4:30 p.m.: Press Play on YouTube and TikTok
The days of relying solely on linear media are long gone. 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.
Wednesday, May 25
9:00-9:30 a.m.: WTF is up with NFTs
Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and the metaverse are on everyone’s radar right now. But what exactly are they, and how can you take advantage of this new digital world?
2:00-2:30 p.m.: Information Overload
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 your decision-making process without stifling radical creativity.
2:30-3:00 p.m.: The Lowdown on International Distribution Law
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 everything you need to know about global anti-competitive regulations and how to make the right commercial decisions for your business.
The increasing number of exhibitors signing on to the Licensing Expo have locked in registrations from thousands of retailers, licensees, and manufacturers.
New and notable participants for this year’s event include American Eagle Outfitters, Target, Walmart, Zulily, Hot Topic, Mad Engine, Hallmark, Primark, Simba Dickie, Macy’s, PacSun, Pyramid International, and many more.