UBM's Global Licensing Group Selected as Connectiv Innovation Award Winner for Contributions to the International Licensing Industry

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct. 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Licensing Group at UBM, the industry's leading tradeshow organizer and media partner, today announced that it won a Connectiv Innovation Award in the "Leveraging Ecosystem Partners" category for its highly successful global expansion strategy. The Connectiv Innovation Awards, which recognize the best, most forward-thinking work in the B2B media and information space, announced Global Licensing Group as the award winner during a ceremony in New York on Sept. 28. The Global Licensing Group is responsible for Licensing Expo, Brand Licensing Europe, Licensing Expo Japan, Licensing Expo China, NYC Licensing Summit, License Global magazine, License Global Daily E-news and License TV.

Since its acquisition by UBM, the Global Licensing Group has demonstrated a strong commitment to growth in the worldwide licensing industry. Receiving this award further illustrates the group's contribution to the licensing industry as a whole and its commitment to fostering meaningful relationships between licensees and licensors on a larger scale. The Global Licensing Group was selected for this award based on several factors, including:

• Presence in the largest and fastest growing markets for licensing including United States, Europe, Japan and China
• Re-branded and positioned itself as the Global Licensing Group
• Grew revenues by 16% from 2015 to 2017 (3QF)
• Implemented a highly successful new international infrastructure and launched new shows in China, the fastest growing licensing market in the world, and Japan, the world's third-largest licensing market worth $12.5B in 2017
• Identified and implemented new on-site activations across its portfolio, including its highly successful "matchmaking program," to enhance exhibitor and attendee experience

"For the Global Licensing Group, our events are core to our business, and it's thrilling to be recognized by the Connectiv Innovation Awards for the strides we've made to deliver our show offerings to a larger global audience," said Jessica Blue, senior vice president, the Global Licensing Group at UBM. "We've implemented some fantastic new initiatives across our portfolio, and we intend to keep innovating and streamlining our global reach to ensure we deliver the best possible experience to our exhibitors and attendees."

"The Global Licensing Group at UBM reflects great creativity by innovating around the needs of the customer through expansion into China and developing an agreement with LIMA and Alibaba to grow the China licensing market through joint events and promotions," said Mike Marchesano, managing director of Connectiv. "This collaborative approach is emblematic of the future of the business information industry in our interconnected global marketplace."

Every year at Global Licensing Group events, thousands of brands showcase to retailers, licensees, manufacturers and distributors. Through their events, the Global Licensing Group connects the world's most influential entertainment, character, fashion, art and corporate brand owners and agents with consumer goods manufacturers, licensees and retailers.

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Future Licensing Dates and Events:

• NYC Licensing Summit: New York City, New York, February 20, 2018
• Licensing Expo: Las Vegas, Nevada, May 22 – 24, 2018
• Licensing Expo Japan: Tokyo, April 25 – 27, 2018
• Licensing Expo China: Shanghai, July 25-27, 2018
• Brand Licensing Europe: London, October 9 – 11, 2018

About Global Licensing Group  
The Global Licensing Group at UBM is the global licensing industry's leading tradeshow organizer and media partner. Its mission is to provide opportunities around the world to bring brands and products together to explore and cement licensing partnerships. The following events and information products are produced for the licensing industry by the Global Licensing Group at UBM: Licensing Expo, Brand Licensing Europe, Licensing Expo Japan, Licensing Expo China, NYC Licensing Summit, License Global magazine, License Global Daily E-news and License TV.

About Connectiv
Connectiv (the Business Information Association, a division of SIIA) is the only global business information association that accelerates innovation for leading and emerging content, data and technology companies. Connectiv helps members move faster and smarter with collective knowledge, access and resources. We move business forward by providing the essential information and services that are pivotal for millions of global businesses to make the right decisions to drive commerce. Connectiv membership represents over 200 world-class business information companies who reach an audience of more than 100 million professionals. These companies drive more than $20 billion in annual revenues, and their collective industries represent a $400 billion global market. SIIA is an umbrella association representing 800+ technology, data and media companies globally. For more information, visit connectivb2b.net.

SOURCE UBM