January 31, 2012, NEW YORK – The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association’s (LIMA) starts the new year strong with a full slate of business-building webinars.  Designed to guide members in making the most of their brands, LIMA’s bi-monthly programs take place on Wednesdays from 12:00-1:30PM EST.  The series kicks off on February 8.

“The value of our 2012 webinar series for licensing industry professionals is striking,” said Martin Brochstein, LIMA’s SVP Industry Relations & Information, who leads the association’s educational efforts.  “LIMA is committed to presenting programs of greatest interest to our members and other marketing professionals so they can develop successful brand-building programs.”

 LIMA’s lineup of informative upcoming webinars, which continue through April, includes:

• February 8, Using Shows, Theme Parks and Museums to Build an Entertainment Brand – Helps participants discover the opportunities and benefits of special entertainment branding vehicles such as stage shows, theme park attractions, ice shows, corn mazes, pumpkin patches and children’s museums.  These plaforms provide enriching experiences for consumers to interact with brands and opportunities for property owners to test and sell new content and products.  Presented by Jonathan Flom, Founder, Character Arts.
• February 22, Thinking Outside the Big Box: Retail Strategies Beyond the Top 12 – Outlines successful retail strategies that resonate with consumers, discussing unique ways in which retailers have had to adapt their initiatives as well as their innovative use of brands to generate traffic in the current economic climate.  Presented by Todd Donaldson, Vice President, IMC Licensing; and Mike Slusar, Managing Director & Owner, Brandar Consulting, LLC.

• March 7, Licensing a Brand in the International Market – Provides insight into the ways in which licensors and licensees can effectively engage in licensing globally, while mitigating associated risks.  Presented by Matthew Young, head of the Electrolux Global Brand Licensing group; and Pamela Deese, a partner in the intellectual property group Arent Fox LLP.

• March 21, Introducing the “Guide to Complying with Licensors’ Social and Environmental Requirements” – Answers the most common questions on key topics from the “Good Practices” Guide, produced by LIMA, BSR and the Licensing Working Group.  The new Guide was developed to help promote positive social and environmental practices among licensors, licensees, agents, suppliers, factories and retailers.  Moderated by Cody Cisco, Manager, Advisory Services, BSR, along with members of the Licensing Working Group.

• April 4, Fit and Leverage: Key Ingredients for Brand Extension Success – Presents proprietary research from Parham & Santana to help licensing professionals unlock the critical element to long-term brand extension success.  Presented by John Parham, President and Director of Branding, Parham & Santana; and Dr. Edward M. Tauber, Founder and President of Brand Extension Research, and a Research Associate at Parham Santana.

• April 18, Insights on the Children’s Market – Presents an overview of the kids’ licensing and product market, covering topics such as assessing opportunities by category for spending on kids, understanding differences by season, gaining insight into how much children impact purchasing decisions and exploring available licenses in the marketplace.  Presented by Kathleen Cella, Director of the KIDS (Kids Industry Data Service) business at The NPD Group.

LIMA Webinars are free for all members and $99 per site for non-members.  Click here for more information and
to register.

The association’s informative webinars are just one of the ways that LIMA supports its members.  Additional opportunities offered by the organization include Licensing University™, LIMA’s keystone educational program, held annually in June at the International Licensing Expo in Las Vegas; and flip (Future Licensing Industry Professionals), which provides professionals who are new to the licensing business with important educational, developmental and networking opportunities.

This year, LIMA’s Licensing University will present an extensive range of more than 35 events and seminars over a five-day period, including all three days of the trade show exposition.  Presentations will cover a wide variety of topics, including retail and distribution strategies and consumer trends as well as the expanding licensing business internationally.  The conference program also offers a strategic look at virtually all major industry segments, including corporate branding, legal, art, sports and digital licensing.

LIMA’s popular flip meet-ups are designed to help new members of the licensing industry build their contact base, create business opportunities and expand their expertise in the field by interacting with fellow professionals in a less structured setting.  The program provides a peer support network and presents “insider views” from around the industry.

“We’re excited about all the activities and offerings that we have in store for 2012,” said LIMA President Charles Riotto.  “From a comprehensive array of educational webinars to a full schedule of Licensing University seminars and door-opening activities throughout the year, LIMA provides valuable opportunities for industry professionals to make meaningful connections for their brands and their business.”