Licensing Show Honors Leaders

Keynote Highlights Consumer Participation, Safety

GDA Staff -- Gifts and Dec, 6/10/2010 1:56:52 PM

Las Vegas — Executives from Disney, Hasbro, Mattel, Toys 'R' Us and LF USA summed up the state of the licensing industry at a keynote panel conducted by the International Licensing Merchandisers' Association on the opening day of Licensing International Expo. The speakers agreed that while today's competitive retail landscape is challenging, there are opportunities for growth and success. They stressed the need for strong partnerships among IP owners, vendors and retailers, the importance of connecting with consumers using social media and involving consumers in product development, and the continuing need for strong standards and guidelines on product safety.

Also at the expo, LIMA honored The Twilight Saga: New Moon with License of the Year. In all, LIMA presented 16 International Licensing Excellence Winners including Paul Frank, Barbie, LEGO electronics, JAKKS Pacific, Food Network and Nordstrom. Alan G. Hassenfeld and the late Stephen Hassenfeld of Hasbro Inc. were inducted into theLIMA Licensing Industry Hall of Fame.

LIMA also raised funds for the Children's Brain Tumor Foundation through a Silent Auction, the LIMA Climb and a texting campaign.  LIMA has a three-year commitment to raise $3 million to fund the CBTF Tissue Consortium.