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STATE OF THE NATION: CORPORATE
Above: Moving BLE to ExCeL London makes “perfect business sense on all sides” says brand director Anna Knight.
Business Matters BLE to relocate to ExCeL in 2019
Brand Licensing Europe is relocating to ExCeL London from 2019, as part of UBM’s ambitious strategy to evolve the show, attract even more European licensees, retailers and licensors and improve the customer experience for both visitors and exhibitors. UBM has cited the accessibility and flexibility of space at ExCeL, as well as the thriving out-of-hours social scene the area offers following the 2012 Olympic regeneration programme as reasons behind the decision. The move is receiving full support from licensing industry trade body, LIMA. “Moving BLE to east London makes perfect business sense on all sides,” said BLE brand director, Anna Knight. “Over one third of our visitors fly in from continental Europe and we have big plans to grow this – let’s not forget, the show is called Brand Licensing Europe, City Airport is also close by and there are three DLR stations onsite.” UBM also believes the flexibility of space offered by ExCeL (both the volume and variety) will also support its future growth strategy for BLE, allowing the team to redraw the floorplan to make it fairer for all exhibitors no matter how big or small, improve navigation and layout and rethink its screenings programme. The 2018 Brand Licensing Europe Show will be taking place in its existing ‘home’ of London’s Olympia on October 9-11.
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LICENSING SOURCE BOOK EUROPE 2018
15 years of Peppa Pig
eOne is preparing to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Peppa Pig in 2019. The celebrations will be anchored by a nationwide theatrical release in the UK and Australia, offering fans ten never-before-broadcast episodes including a two-part festival special. New characters including Mandy Mouse and Mrs Badger will be introduced, as well as exclusive interactive live content filmed specially for the release. The anniversary celebrations will continue throughout the year with eOne planning a calendar of activity that includes brand partnerships, fresh content, retail activations and festival tie-ins to promote the ‘family celebrations’ theme. “It’s been an incredible 15-year journey for Peppa Pig and we’re looking forward to celebrating the anniversary with the brands many fans across both the UK and Australia in 2019,” said eOne’s Nardis Roscoe, vp of global brand management, Family & Brands. Also celebrating an anniversary in 2019 is Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom, which hails from the same creators as Peppa Pig, Astley Baker Davies. eOne will be marking its ten-year anniversary with a new tour of Fierylight’s popular stage show production, which is set to tour over 40 theatres across the UK and Ireland from February 2019.