Brand Licensing Europe 2010, the Advanstar organised licensing exhibition, has today announced the introduction of License This! The Next Big Thing - a unique challenge and opportunity for bright new entrepreneurs looking to break into the global licensing industry and launch their business idea.

The “Dragons’ Den” style challenge will give entrepreneurs the chance to win the top prize by pitching to an esteemed judging panel. The judges will determine who has the most exciting new property or product idea for the licensing industry. The commercial potential of the property will be examined, along with its creativity and cross product licensing opportunities.

Licence This! The Next Big Thing is open to any new property idea with its roots in publishing, art & design, or television. The overall winner will receive a fully furnished stand Brand Licensing Europe 2011, worth an estimated £4,500, and the chance to showcase their property to over 4000 retailers, manufacturers and sales professionals.

Property creators/owners can submit their property now to be part of the License This! The Next Big Thing session via www.brandlicensing.eu. The closing date for submissions is Friday 3 September 2010. The panel of expert judges, chaired by Helen McAleer - MD Walker Books, will then choose a short list of four to present their idea live at the show. The Brand Licensing Europe audience will be given the opportunity to hear the panel critique the properties and offer valuable advice to each of the creators.

License This! The Next Big Thing will be held in The Licensing Academy at Brand Licensing Europe at 1pm on Thursday 30 September 2010.

Jessica Blue, event director, Brand Licensing Europe 2010 comments “The launch of License This! within the ever growing Licensing Academy agenda will offer the creators a fantastic opportunity to promote their property, while gaining valuable insight from a group of industry experts.”

Brand Licensing Europe 2010 will take place over 3 days from 28-30 September 2010 at London’s Grand Hall, Olympia.