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Brand Licensing Europe 2010, the licensing exhibition, today announced that the London 2012 licensing and retail team will feature as The Big Interview in this year’s Licensing Academy. London 2012 Vision – Retail, Licensing And the Olympic and Paralympic Games – The Story So Far, will be an exclusive opportunity for licensing industry professionals to hear, in detail, about the commercial campaigns surrounding the London 2012 Games. The Big Interview will take place on Wednesday 29th September at 13:00 in the Licensing Academy and will feature three key members of the London 2012 team: Charlie Wijeratna, director of commercial negotiations, Simon Lilley, head of licensing and retail and Warren Traeger, licensing manager, toys, games and souvenirs. It will be hosted by Kevin Roberts, the editorial director of SportBusiness Group. The London 2012 team is responsible for building a programme intended to generate £1bn in retail sales in the UK, receive £85M of licensing revenue and create 10,000 products from its official licensees. It will drive a commercial operation with the ambition of raising over £700M from licensing and sponsorship. The team will be focusing on how licensing will play a vital role not only in generating revenue but also in raising brand awareness, creating excitement and engaging future generations in sports, activity and the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Jessica Blue, event director, Brand Licensing Europe 2010 comments: “Less than two years from now, London will be at the centre of the world’s biggest sport licensing event. The Big Interview will provide the inside track on progress to date and also explore the additional licensing, retail and commercial opportunities to consider as the games approach. The Licensing Academy has become THE place in Europe to discover the hottest topics and hear latest developments in the world of licensing.” Charlie Wijeratna, director of commercial negotiations said: "The London 2012 retail and licensing programmes are now full steam ahead, with some fantastic companies on board producing and retailing London 2012 merchandise. The enthusiasm shown by the industry so far has been incredibly encouraging and we look forward to providing an update and outlining the remaining opportunities at the exhibition." Kevin Roberts, editorial director of SportBusiness Group adds: “The London 2012 Olympics will officially kick-off a golden decade of sport in the UK, with the Ashes in 2013, the Commonwealth Games in 2014, the Rugby World Cup in 2015 and, fingers crossed, the FIFA World Cup in 2018. Sports licensing will come of age with London 2012 and its promise as a major revenue stream will be a case study for years to come.” The Licensing Academy at Brand Licensing Europe 2010 will also play host to many more esteemed speakers. These include keynote Andrew Davenport, the award-winning creator, writer and composer of the children’s television phenomenon, In The Night Garden, and co-creator and writer of, Teletubbies, Greenlight vice president, David Reeder and Planet Retail’s global research director, Bryan Roberts. All Licensing Academy sessions are free to attend for show visitors who register in advance for their free show entry badge at www.brandlicensing.eu. Brand Licensing Europe 2010 will take place over 3 days from 28-30 September 2010 at London’s Grand Hall, Olympia. |
