14-15_17_19_Talking Points 2024.qxp_NEW LSB 2008 GRID 12/01/2024 16:07 Page 1
THE YEAR AHEAD
24 licensing talking points for 2024 New Year, new opportunities…and it’s a leap year, too, meaning an extra sales day for shoppers to buy consumer products and licensed merchandise. LSB presents 24 talking points for the licensing business in 2024, all of which will have an impact on our industry in some way.
Rishi Sunak kicked off 2024's political season with a hint at when the next general election will be saying it's his "working assumption" it will happen in the second half of the year. Political pundits are predicting anything in the range of September to November, although the later it is, the more cross over with coverage of the US election.
industries, especially in the realms of IP, licensing and skills,” says Dr Richard Wilson OBE, ceo at TIGA, the trade body for the UK games industry. “Many of the commonly cited opportunities revolve around enhanced creativity and efficiency. And from a brand marketing perspective, AI's ability to analyse trends can help IP owners and creators target their audiences more effectively, optimising strategies and distribution channels. “But there are some concerns around protection of IP, ethics and job displacement. Perhaps the most significant is determining the ownership of AI-generated content. Traditional IP laws are built around human authorship, leaving a grey area when AI autonomously creates content. This raises questions about copyright and the rights of AI creators versus users.”
The rise of the machines
The National Gallery at 200
While we could have asked AI itself for an explanation of the impact it could have on the licensing industry, we chose to go with a real life person instead. “It’s clear that Artificial Intelligence, particularly generative AI (GenAI) presents a complex mix of opportunities and challenges for all creative/digital and consumer products
One of the greatest art galleries in the world, the National Gallery is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. The bicentenary party will start on 10 May, with the Gallery celebrating its past and looking forward to its future with a yearlong festival of art, creativity and imagination. And there are plenty of opportunities for licensees to get involved, too.
General Election
Inset : The Dungeons & Dragons franchise is marking 50 years in 2024.
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LICENSING SOURCE BOOK 2024
Year of the Dragon Represented by the only mythical – and the most powerful – creature of the 12 animal Chinese zodiac, the Year of the Dragon is considered special. The legendary magical beast is symbolic of authority, honour and dignity, particularly in China, where it has represented imperial power since ancient times. In the world of licensing, Wizards of the Coast’s Dungeons & Dragons franchise is celebrating an exceptionally well timed 50th anniversary, with a raft of activity planned.