195 BLE SPorting Team Sheet.qxp_NEW LSB 2008 GRID 22/09/2018 13:08 Page 195
BLE’S SPORTING LINE-UP
Below right: BLE’s Anna Knight. Inset: Exhibitors are building on a strong sporting performance last year.
Sports licensing has always been big business. LIMA’s recent global report shows that sales of sports licensed products are up 4.9% year on year, worth almost $26.5 billion globally, accounting for 10% of all licensed merchandise sales. LSB chatted with Brand Licensing Europe’s brand director Anna Knight about her plans for sport at the show and to review the exhibitor team sheet.
Good sports stage. Elisabeth will talk about how the IOC’s new “Given the rise in activity and value within the sector, licensing strategy has been developed, with the also our focus on sport at BLE last year, it’s not mission to create a tangible connection to the surprising that 2018 will be the show’s biggest year Olympic Games, through merchandising ever in relation to the sports category,” says Anna programmes that are aligned with the Olympic image Knight, brand director, Brand Licensing Europe. The and enhance brand value. BLE team sheet boasts nearly 25 sports exhibitors Historically, licensing within the Olympic movement this year, many of them brand new to the show. has been mainly managed by the organising “4Play, FC Barcelona, Roland-Garros, International committees of the Olympic Games in Basketball Federation, Sport Lisboa e Benfica, The BLE 2018 Team Sheet the host countries, only. The aim of the new strategy is to strengthen and Forever Collectibles, French 4Play – N98 promote the Olympic brand, not only Football Federation, Royal Admiral Sportswear – L56 Arsenal FC – M86 during the Olympic Games, but Dutch Football Association Benfica – N94 between Games. The session and The FA are all new to Dakar – N90 will present IOC licensing strategy and BLE for 2018 – they are Dorna Sports – L80 FC Barcelona – P82 three core licensing programmes aimed among over 50 companies FIFA – M42 at specific target groups. exhibiting at the show this Forever Collectibles – C115 In addition, the Brands & Lifestyle year,” advises Anna. French Football Federation – M96 Theatre will see representatives from Anna points out that International Basketball Federation – N85 Juventus Football Club – K90 Roland-Garros, the home to The French visitors will also be inspired Manchester City FC – M94 Open, and the NFLPA join chair and by some amazing names in NBA – N82 LIMA UK managing director, Kelvyn the conference programme, Paris Saint-Germain – N90 Real Madrid – M92 Gardner for a panel discussion including a keynote speech Roland-Garros – L52 about opportunities in sport licensing. midday on the Wednesday Royal Dutch Football Association – M96 Finally and alongside this, the National when The International Rugby World Cup – K45 Basketball Association (NBA) and the Olympic Committee’s (IOC) The Football Association - M96 The NFL Players Association – N60 International Basketball Federation will VP commercial integration Tour de France – N90 join for a session on the opportunities in Elisabeth Allaman, will take UEFA Euro 2020 – K50 basketball licensing. to The Licensing Academy LICENSING SOURCE BOOK EUROPE 2018
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