Advanstar Hosts 2011 Licensing International Expo Preview Press Conference

Top Exhibitors Provide a Glimpse of the 2011 Show Highlights

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Jun 09, 2011, 01:48 ET

SANTA MONICA, Calif., June 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanstar, producers of the Licensing International Expo , announced the results of its inaugural preview press conference, recently held in its corporate offices in Santa Monica. The press conference, held June 1, showcased presentations and discussions from top exhibitors as a precursor to the 2011 show, June 14-16 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

The pre-show press conference featured presentations from Beanstalk, Mattel, Saban Brands and SKECHERS. Charles Riotto, president of the Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA), provided industry information to press and guests.

Tony Lisanti, editor of License! Global magazine, opened the press conference, interviewing Rosa Zeegers, Senior Vice President Worldwide Global Consumer Products Licensing at Mattel, about the iconic Barbie® and Hot Wheels® brands, and the popular new Monster High™ franchise. Zeegers discussed Mattel's evolution from a focus on creating the industry's premier toy brands to a focus on creating the future of play, and noted that the Licensing International Expo is one of the most important trade events of the year for Mattel licensing business where executives meet with U.S. and international business partners.

Paul Flett, senior vice president, Global Licensing at SKECHERS, provided a glimpse into the company's entertainment program as well as an overview on the company's licensing model. With SKECHERS' dual focus on brand licensing for merchandise as well as entertainment content, the company will be hosting two separate booths at the Licensing International Expo this year. Flett attributed the company's integrated marketing and branding platform as part of the success in achieving a 36% growth rate in kids' footwear sales in the past year.

Dan Levin, managing director, Beanstalk's Los Angeles office, discussed parent company Omnicom's recent acquisition of Nancy Bailey & Associates and provided an overview of the company's 50 plus corporate, entertainment, celebrity and fashion brands at the show, including Paris Hilton, David Tutera, Christopher Lowell, HGTV, Chiquita, Fresh Express, McCormick's Old Bay, Jaeger, and Aquascutum.

Elie Dekel, president, Saban Brands, closed the press conference with an update of their flagship brand Power Rangers. Since buying back the Power Rangers brand one year ago, and launching a production entity that has put the beloved franchise back on TV, Power Rangers has become the number one ranked kids action show drawing 122 million viewers in the first three months. Dekel outlined Saban's commitment to Power Rangers live events, grassroots local appearances, and diversification into social media and mobile gaming apps that have helped to dramatically reinvigorate the brand in a compressed time frame.

"The tremendous power and reach of the five representative companies in our pre-event press conference truly illustrated part of what makes the $182 billion licensing industry so compelling," said Georgiann Decenzo, executive vice president, Advanstar. "We're all very excited to host the largest event for the licensing industry as we expect the largest show we've ever had in Las Vegas."

Decenzo outlined key statistics for the 2011 Licensing International Expo, the global brand licensing marketplace that will comprise more than 200 booths representing 6,000 brands/intellectual properties, an increase of more than 12 percent in brands represented as compared to the 2010 show. This year's event will draw an estimated 19,000 attendees from 84 countries demonstrating that consumer appetites continue to be very strong from brand licensed products.

The 2011 Licensing International Expo, in association with LIMA, will feature a diverse exhibit floor with virtually all major film studios and television broadcasters, top video game publishers and key brands and companies including the ASPCA, Authentic Brands Group, Brainy Baby, Creative Artists Agency, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Fender Musical Instruments, Hasbro, LiveNation, Mattel, National Basketball Association, Rodale, Saban Entertainment, SKECHERS , World Wrestling Entertainment and Wyland Worldwide.

New show features for 2011 include:

A Brand showcase highlighting exhibitors' most creative and unique brand extensions and how they made their way onto retail shelves
Enhanced Gaming area featuring live demonstrations, speakers, and interactive trailers
First-timers introduction series to improve the show experience for new attendees
Express networking event to bring together exhibitors and attendees

Potential exhibitors and attendees can learn more information about the conference by contacting Liz Crawford, Show Director at [email protected]; + 1-310-857-7621 or Lindsey Jones, at [email protected] +1-(310)857-7620 or visiting www.licensingexpo.com

About the Licensing International Expo

Celebrating its 31st year, the Licensing International Expo is the most established licensing event in the world and has become a global marketplace for leveraging brand and property equity for new licensed consumer products. The show's appeal brings together top-level retail and manufacturing executives from more than 82 countries who look to the Licensing International Expo to discover new brands and revenue generating opportunities within the $191 Billion licensing industry. For up-to-date exhibitor listings, seminar scheduling, travel support and registration information, please visit www.licensingexpo.com.

Follow the 2011 Licensing International Expo on Twitter at twitter.com/licensingexpo and visit the Licensing International Expo Fan Page on Facebook (www.licensingexpo.com/facebook).

About Advanstar

Advanstar (www.advanstar.com), producer of the Licensing International Expo, Brand Licensing Europe, Brand Licensing Central & Eastern Europe and License! Global Magazine, is a leading worldwide media company providing integrated marketing solutions for the License, Fashion, Life Sciences and Powersports industries. Advanstar serves business professionals and consumers in these industries with its portfolio of 147 events, 68 publications and directories, 267 electronic products and Web sites, as well as educational and direct marketing products and services. Market leading brands and a commitment to delivering innovative, quality products and services enables Advanstar to "Connect Our Customers With Theirs." Advanstar has approximately 1,000 employees and currently operates from multiple offices in North America and Europe.

About LIMA

Founded in 1985, LIMA is the worldwide trade organization for the licensing industry. LIMA's main objective is to work together with licensors and licensees for the advancement of professionalism in licensing through research, national and international seminars, trade events and publications. With members in 35 countries, and offices in New York, London, Munich, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong, members enjoy access to a wide variety of activities, information and benefits. LIMA is a proud sponsor of the annual Licensing International Expo, Brand Licensing Europe, LiMa Licensing Market (Munich), Day of Licensing (Cologne), Licensing Asia (Tokyo), Shanghai Licensing Pavilion and the Hong Kong Licensing Show. In addition, LIMA offers ways to jump start a career in licensing through its Certificate in Licensing Studies (CLS) program, which is the only educational course specifically designed to prepare professionals to succeed in the ever-changing licensing industry, and the flip (Future LIMA Industry Professionals) program offering support and networking for industry newcomers. For more information please visit www.licensing.org.