May 21, 2012 – From social media to online gaming, the digital space is a “hot topic”!  To help licensing professionals get a leg up on the best ways to extend and maximize their brands in this fast-moving and potential-packed space, LIMA’s (International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association’s) Licensing University™ will feature a slate of seminars specifically designed to help industry players leverage the hot tools and trends of the digital world to achieve an even greater level of success for their IP.  Attendees will gain valuable insight and actionable information from a lineup of industry-leading experts, who will share the very latest on how the digital world is impacting licensing.  These digital- and interactive-themed sessions are part of LIMA’s extensive range of more than 35 Licensing University programs to be held at the premier annual event of the worldwide licensing industry, Licensing International Expo 2012, June 10-14 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.  Kathy Ireland delivers the keynote address, June 12.   

Buzzed-about trends in the digital space will be front-and-center in several sessions in LIMA’s Licensing University roster, including: 

Maximizing Social Media in Toy & Entertainment Licensing – Tuesday, June 12, 12:30-2:00pm
Facebook has had a tremendous impact on licensing and is utilized by many marketers as a key component in branding.  This panel is designed to offer expertise and help critique current social media programs to show attendees how they can grow a large and profitable online community.  Throughout the workshop, participants will learn how to effectively tap into social media, understand the guidelines and ask questions about their fan pages.  Presenters Suzanne Mills-Winkler, President, and Victoria Cushey, VP, Business Development, for Dynamic Designworks, will share their insights into the best practices for social media in toy and entertainment licensing as it pertains to the consumer products industry.

Taking a Brand from Digital to Retail – Tuesday, June 12, 4:30-6:00pm

From Angry Birds and Moshi Monsters to Talking Friends and Stardoll, popular entertainment properties don’t just come from movies, TV and books anymore.  This session offers insight into the challenges and triumphs of taking a brand from the digital space to retail.  Moderated by LIMA’s Marty Brochstein, the panel explores how to successfully translate properties from the computer and smartphone screen into physical licensed product.  Panelists include: Ciaran Coyle of The Beanstalk Group, global licensing agent for Talking Friends; Darran Garnham, Chief Business Development Officer/Chief Licensing Officer for Mind Candy (Moshi Monsters); Mattias Miksche, Co-Founder and CEO of Stardoll Media; and Marc Mostman of Most Management LLC, U.S. licensing agent for Angry Birds.

Hot Trends in Interactive – Wednesday, June 13, 12:30-2:00pm

Opportunities to license character and brand IP to the interactive industry have exploded in recent years and merging digital platforms offer licensors and licensees a range of new ways to deliver interactive content directly to the consumer.  Attendees will meet a mix of professionals from leading game publishers, film studios, television networks and agencies, who are helping to make this new era of licensed interactive entertainment a success.  Careen Yapp, VP, Acquisitions and Franchise Development for Konami Digital Entertainment, will moderate the panel to include: Mark Caplan, VP Consumer Products, Sony Pictures Entertainment; Bill Kispert, VP General Manager – Partnerships & Licensing Group, Universal Pictures Partnerships & Licensing Group; Lee Rawles, Senior Director of Business Affairs, Electronic Arts; and Nicholas Dale, Senior Manager, Interactive and Mobile, North America, FremantleMedia Enterprises.

Converting a Brand into a Social Game: Why and How – Thursday, June 14, 11am-12:30pm

Mobile and casual gaming on Android and IOS platforms, both smartphones and tablets, are setting a new path in the licensing arena.  This presentation centers on why and how to license a brand to world-leading developers and publishers in a changing social gaming market.  Free-2-play brower business models and monetarization models for smartphones and tablets will be the major focus of this workshop.  The presentation and Q & A will include case studies from top developers in territories, including North America, Europe, China and Korea.  Attendees will meet a range of industry professionals who will offer examples of the challenges and opportunites of character- and brand-based mobile and social gaming and gamification.  Presenter is Arwed-Ralf Grenzbach, Founder/Managing Director, Conflutainment GmbH.

In addition, digital marketing will undoubtedly be a central topic during the panel, Entertainment Licensing: Looking at the Landscape and its Future (Wednesday, June 13, 8:30-10am).  Panelists will include Michael Polis, President, W!LDBRAIN Entertainment and EVP Branded Entertainment & Consumer Products, DHX Media; Elie Dekel, President of Saban Brands; Cindy Levitt, VP-General Merchandise Manager, Hot Topic; and Dell Furano, CEO of Live Nation Merchandise.

To see the complete schedule and register for Licensing University sessions taking place leading up to and during Licensing Expo 2012, click here.  Licensing International Expo is produced by Advanstar Communications and sponsored by LIMA.

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.

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Alison Grand                                                                 Laura Liebeck
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