Licensing Blog

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

The Licensing Awards in London(Posted: 16-09-2009)

I fully intended to report on the licensing scene in France a few weeks ago, but circumstances conspired against me. Well, that and the fact that once again I struggled to find anything much going on in the region where we stayed. I’m sure licensing is to be found in abundance elsewhere in the country, but let’s just say that I was concentrating too much on the cheese and wine to notice.

Time seems to be flying. I can’t believe it’s over 3 months since we were in Las Vegas. Where has that gone?

So we skip on a couple more weeks to the Licensing Awards.  I’d like to think we’re a pretty sartorial lot anyway in this industry, but wow! And that was just the men. A very enjoyable evening – although it was more than that, as we didn’t leave til 4am. There were still plenty left in the bar even then  – some of them standing. It was great to see so many of us together even more relaxed than usual. How many meet and greets can you get through in one evening? I’m sure there have been a lot of tentative “Did I talk to you last Thursday?” conversations this week. I admit to a couple!

Drinking, dancing and gambling. It all seemed OK because we were dressed up.  It even didn’t seem to matter that the cheapest bottle of wine was 40 quid. Well, not on the night, but wait til I get my card bill. (Oh, those flexible friends…. ) Fantastic. We even got into the Guinness Book of Records by beating an effort from Canada and becoming the largest group in one place to wear red noses for 5 minutes. It almost eclipses the picture (available on request) of my great grandfather and namesake in an old edition sporting the longest beard in England.

Commendably the Licensing World Team were all back at their desks by 2pm. Considering we are in the sticks and not the smoke, I think it was a fairly good effort.

When I got home my daughter commented that it was the shortest time I had spent away from home for a licensing trip, but the most things I had ever brought back for her. Thank you goodie bag!

So another busy few weeks coming up. I’m looking forward to seeing what is in store in Croatia next week at the Licensing Factory New Europe, followed by Brand Licensing Europe the week after.

See you there.