Licensing Blog

Welcome to our Licensing Blog, which takes a light hearted look at our mysterious world.

Brits on tour in Prague!(Posted: 22-03-2009)

Well, February turned out to be a rather quiet month, but once we got into March – wow!! The first dedicated licensing show of the year: Licensing Forum, Central and Eastern Europe. It seemed that a good portion of the British licensing industry fancied a booze-up in Prague, and that is exactly what they got.

Once again Ernie and Christine presented a tidy, compact event with a steady trickle of visitors. I’m sure we all came away with something worthwhile (some more than others, judging by late night events).

The very plush Marriot Prague was the hub of activity, although I stayed in rather less salubrious surroundings just round the corner. My window didn’t have any curtains, and, once I had actually got into my shower cubicle, if I turned sideways my shoulders touched both walls – and I’m not that broad!

We did work, honest!                                                        Socialising on the high seas

Nureeni from sheepworld (a Kiwi / German would you believe) was great company as my show neighbour. I did have cause to complain about Hip Designs annoying Hugmeez song (especially for pronouncing Z as the American ZEE), but not for the first time they ignored me. No more hugs for you then.

The exhibitor party, a 3 hour all inclusive boat trip on the Danube, was really an excuse to celebrate my birthday. For the second time that day I had to endure my friends and colleagues singing Happy Birthday to me. I love this industry! Thanks to Simon from Lunartics, who only made the trip because it was my birthday. Although I’m sure he’ll agree the trip was worth it considering the new friend that he made.

Advanstar’s Mr Gibson kept it under his hat that he was 40 a few days earlier, but managed to fit in some delayed Aryan celebrations (I’m sure he’ll be pleased to answer questions if you wish).

The night had it all: people too drunk to get off the boat safely; lost handbags; the cementing of Anglo-German relations; a brothel visit (I kid you not) that was definitely aborted by one licensing tourist, but we’re unsure about the other; and a lost male exhibitor who woke up at 11am next morning next to a hairy Croatian man.

Please don’t get the wrong impression of this trip – we all did some work as well.

The head steward on the Easy Jet flight rounded it off perfectly when we landed back in Blighty: “Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to London Gatwick. Please remember you are now in the United Kingdom where smoking is banned in most places, so you might as well give up. Enjoy your stay”. Class.

PostScript: Scottish driver on the train to London to watch the rugby international yesterday: “We are now approaching Clapham Junction. For those of you going to Twickenham, you’ve come a long way just to see England lose”. You wish.