April 11, 2012, NEW YORK – A diverse lineup of 85 nominees will vie for the licensing industry’s highest honors, as The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA) today revealed the ballot for the coveted 2012 LIMA International Licensing Excellence Awards.  The award winners, to be determined by a vote of the LIMA membership, will be announced at the LIMA Opening Night Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 during Licensing International Expo in Las Vegas.

This year’s nominees were selected from among a record 270 entries. LIMA’s Licensing Excellence Awards will be presented to companies for the following types of licensed properties: Art/ Design; Character/Toy; Corporate Brand; Film, Television, Celebrity or Entertainment; and Sports/Sports-themed Entertainment.  Awards are presented to licensors and/or agents and licensees for each of the property types.  In addition, awards will be given for the Best Licensed Promotion and Retailer of the Year.   

During the Awards ceremony, LIMA also will honor Howard Roffman, President of Lucas Licensing, and the late Stan Clutton of Fisher-Price for their lifetime achievements in licensing by inducting them into the Licensing Industry Hall of Fame.

“The 2012 LIMA International Licensing Excellence Awards honor the brands, companies and retailers worldwide that have achieved outstanding success in licensing in 2011, and we’re very excited to pay tribute to all of our deserving nominees,” said LIMA President Charles Riotto.  “The LIMA Awards program was designed to celebrate cutting-edge innovation and exceptional creativity, and the Awards Committee had a record number of submissions to choose from this year.  We look forward to celebrating the winning companies and brands that have significantly impacted the licensing community at retail and with consumers everywhere.”

Leading this year’s nominees for the 2012 LIMA International Licensing Excellence Awards is the Overall Best Licensed Program of the Year, representing each of the five major property classifications:

OVERALL BEST LICENSED PROGRAM OF THE YEAR

• Angry Birds – Rovio Entertainment Ltd.
• Dena – Dena Designs, Inc./Alex Meisel & Co., LLC
• Jelly Belly – Jelly Belly Candy Company/The Licensing Company North America, Inc.
• Justin Bieber – Bravado International Group
• NBA – National Basketball Association
 
Nominations were solicited from the worldwide licensing industry.  Online voting begins on April 30 and runs through May 18.

For a complete list of the 2012 Awards nominees and to register to attend the LIMA Opening Night Awards Party, please visit the LIMA website, www.licensing.org. 
About LIMA
Founded in 1985, the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA) is the primary trade organization for the worldwide licensing industry.  LIMA’s mission is to bring together all segments of the industry for the advancement of professionalism in licensing through research, national and international seminars, trade events and publications.  With members in 35 countries, offices in New York, London, Munich, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong, and representatives in New Europe, India, Italy, Spain and Australia, members enjoy access to a wide variety of activities, resources and benefits.  For more information on LIMA sponsored trade shows, educational programming, networking opportunities and more, please visit www.licensing.org.  To learn more about LIMANET, the most complete network of Property Information and Licensing Professionals online, please visit www.limanet.com.
                                                                                #  #  #
Press contacts:
Grand Communications

Alison Grand 
212-584-1133
Alison@grandcommunications.com
Laura Liebeck
845-440-7974
Laura@grandcommunications.com