20-21-23-25 Licensee Feedback.qxp_NEW LSB 2008 GRID 23/09/2020 18:28 Page 1
LICENSEE FEEDBACK
As we move into Q4 and planning continues apace for 2021, LSB catches up with a selection of licensees across categories to ask them about the biggest challenges facing their business as we head towards the year-end, but also the biggest positive they are taking from 2020. Left: Mark has seen licensors being open to a lot more opportunities and being more flexible.
Mark Lindsay, licensing sales manager, Park Agencies “The biggest challenge for us as we head towards Q4 and into 2021 is the uncertainty on the high street and what impact this has on the customer. No one knows what restrictions or guidelines will be put into place next, and we know this can change on a daily basis. Q4 is a big quarter for all of us in the industry. The biggest positives we can take from this year is we have seen licensors being open to a lot more opportunities and being more flexible in the way we work together. Online retail has really thrived in this period and the rise of the older generation becoming an online shopper and changing shopping habits.”
Mel Beer, licensing director EMEA, Amscan “Our key challenges are currently how Halloween will fare now that Boris has banned groups from trick or treating (on top of the restrictions already in place on social gatherings); the potential threat of a further outbreak/lockdown caused by COVID-19; and the unknown factors and anticipated challenges surrounding Brexit. The biggest positive from this year is the support we’ve seen from our industry colleagues and re-connecting with each other on a human level. There is a real sense of ‘we are all in this together’ as we jointly navigate our way through the challenges that COVID has brought us all.” Above: Halloween is one of the issues uppermost in Mel’s mind.
Anthony Duckworth, md, Dreamtex
Above: Anthony (pictured left with Andy Downie and Jo Duckworth) celebrating Dreamtex’s Licensing International award win.
LICENSING SOURCE BOOK EUROPE 2020
“The challenges this year have been many - from managing the constantly changing delivery schedules from China as COVID-19 hit, to understanding and working with the individual needs of our customers when the pandemic reached us here in the UK. The high street retailers have undoubtedly suffered the most, while those with a strong online presence have seen sharp increases in turnover. We are all waiting to see how the traditional high street stores will bounce back. During lockdown and throughout summer, however, we have remained busy and we have been able to win several new licensing contracts, the majority of which will be available for Q4. All the team have played their part in remaining positive about 2020. A major highlight and positive experience for us was winning a Licensing International Excellence Award in August for our Recycled National Geographic Collection, one of several ethical projects we are working on as we head into 2021.”