20-21-23-25 Licensee Feedback.qxp_NEW LSB 2008 GRID 23/09/2020 18:28 Page 4
LICENSEE FEEDBACK
Holly Orton, licensing and marketing manager, H&A “As we plan forward for 2021, price pressure and economic uncertainty must not inhibit our progress on the war against plastics. We will resist the temptation to stay with what is familiar and ‘play it safe’, now is the time to invest in innovation to achieve creative solutions. Our all-new plastic-free gifts hitting the shelves this September are a huge source of pride and positivity for us. Undeterred by the challenges of the national lockdown earlier this year, the H&A product development team have landed a showstopping range of impactful gifts. The removal of plastic tags, vac trays and acetate windows has provided us with an opportunity to reinvent our packaging approach. As market leaders in the children’s beauty and bathing category, we know from experience how important it is for shoppers to see product at the point of purchase. For that reason, we have side stepped the use of closed boxes, introducing instead innovative card platforms and folding display trays making our products visible yet secure. With less plastic and more design surface area our gifts are more eye-catching than ever before.” Above: The progress on the war against plastics must not be inhibited, says Holly.
Andy Oddie, md, Funko EMEA “The biggest challenge for Funko has been managing the COVID-19 impact in a commercially opportunistic way. But to that end, the biggest positive has Above: Funko has plenty to take forward into the future, been creating new says Andy. demand channels through less affected customers, which we can take forward into the future.”
Danny Schweiger, joint md, Character World “There have been many challenges so far in 2020 and I don’t see them ending any time soon. The biggest concern is, of course, a second wave of COVID with many serious implications to the economy and to the licensing industry in Q4 2020 and 2021. There is then the implications of Brexit, the recession and the ending of government furloughing support. It’s fair to say that never has there been a Above: “Surprisingly excellent currevulnerability of future more difficult period to predict. challenges, says Danny. Surprisingly excellent current trading, especially online, is softening the vulnerability of future challenges and is a big positive to build 2021 plans around. The key is to remain nimble and dynamic in the ever-changing entertainment space, while ensuring overheads are under control and to align closely with key licensors and retailers.”
Dan Grant, licensing director, Danilo “I don’t think anyone has enjoyed the past few months, but what it has shown is that we can adapt to change as businesses and as consumers. While there have been a lot of negatives over the past few months, as a business Danilo has seen many positives with lots of Above: The situation will only growth through online sales and make the licensing community stronger, says Dan. this experience can now be used for the future. The loss of many major movies has had an obvious impact on sales and listings, but the growth of digital TV networks, plus the film slate for 2021 and 2022 should be richer as a result, so we are excited about the future and will work with our licensor and retail partners to deliver great product ranges going forward. I do believe the whole situation has brought the licensing community even closer together and this will only make us all stronger. And once this situation is all out of the way, we need to have a big party to celebrate getting through it. Outside of business, the biggest positive has been the quality time spent with my family… situations like this help you to focus on what’s important.”
LICENSING SOURCE BOOK EUROPE 2020