Some 400 exhibitors on floor Attendees from 60+ countries 5,000 brands on show... by Samantha Loveday
A RAFT of UK companies are making their final preparations for this month’s Licensing International Expo, with several execs from key toy firms making the trip to Las Vegas. The show – which runs from June 12th to 14th and takes place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center for the fourth year running – will play host to close to 400 exhibitors representing more than 5,000 brands. More than 100 new exhibitors will be on the show floor – ranging from Coca-Cola and Cherokee through to the US Marines – while several existing exhibitors have upped their booth space this year. This includes video games publisher Activision, which has seen its Skylanders brand take off at toy retail this year, and is looking to expand its licensing programme even further. Other key exhibitors which toy firms are advised to check out
TOP LICENSED TOYS MARCH 2012 Ranked by value
include 4Kids Entertainment, Mind Candy, BBC Worldwide, eOne, Turner CN Enterprises, Warner Bros Consumer Products, Nickelodeon and Ubisoft among others. Businesswoman and former supermodel Kathy Ireland will give the show’s keynote address, while a number of British companies are also up for accolades at the LIMA International Licensing Excellence Awards held at the show.
“This will be our most exciting, diverse show ever,” said Chris DeMoulin, president of licensing for show organiser, Advanstar. “With almost 400 exhibitors representing over 5,000 brands, and attendees from more than 60 countries, the opportunities are endless. “There truly is no other event in our industry where you can develop a year’s worth of business in three days.” www.licensingexpo.com
Massive month for Moshi brand Maps and Corgi join licensee line-up Nintendo DS game makes chart history...
MIND CANDY is showing no signs of slowing down with its plans for the Moshi Monsters brand.
Last month saw the ambitious company host a retail and licensee day in London, where attendees were updated on activity.
And, while it is playing its cards close to its chest in terms of new announcements, Mind Candy has signed up a further two toy licensees, in the form of Hornby brand Corgi and Maps Toys.
The worldwide licence for Corgi will see it produce both Moshi Monster pin badges and die-cast vehicles. Maps, meanwhile, is creating a Moshi Monsters Cookie Kit which includes two cutters, two
decorating tubes, mixture and a bonus download code from the website.
Moshi Monsters is also enjoying success in the video games space – Moshi Monsters: Moshling Zoo has become the longest ever number one in chart history for the Nintendo DS. Since November 2011 the game has held the top position in the listing for the handheld for 15 consecutive weeks. Mind Candy: 020 7501 1926
1. Moshi Monsters Moshling Figures ............Vivid 2. Moshi Monsters Blind Bag Assortment ....Vivid 3. Moshi Monsters Gold................................Vivid 4. Star Wars 2012 LPP....................................Lego 5. Ben 10 10cm Figures Alien Assortment..Bandai 6. Star Wars 2012 Planets..............................Lego 7. Beyblades Battle Top Assortment .........Hasbro 8. Super Heroes Construction .......................Lego 9. Cars 2 Character Assortment..................Mattel 10 MM Moshling Treehouse Play-set ............Vivid