|
|
LIMA UK is calling upon the UK licensing community to put their names forward for the 2012 Annual LIMA International Licensing Excellence Awards in a bid to top last year’s haul of two UK winners and nine UK nominations. Winners will be announced at the LIMA Opening Nights Awards Ceremony, on Tuesday 12 June, at Licensing International Expo in Las Vegas. Last year, two UK companies fought off stiff competition from the international community to scoop awards. Boots was named Best Retailer of the Year for Strictly Come Dancing and the V&A Museum won Best Art and Design programme. According to one of last year’s UK winners, taking the award has been a real coup for their organisation. Lauren Sizeland, Director of Licensing at the V&A, comments, “We have entered the LIMA awards since 2008 and each year were nominated in different categories. In 2011 the V&A was awarded winner in the Best Art or Design Program of the Year, which was a tremendous achievement, considering how tough the competition has always been with some comparatively mighty and internationally long established brands.” “The award is not only a recognition of what we and our licensees have developed, but an indication of how truly international the awards have become. To be listed as a nominee in the Awards program raises awareness and credibility of successful brands, no matter how young they may be.” The LIMA International Licensing Excellence awards are the licensing industry’s most influential international awards, recognising outstanding achievements in licensing during 2011. Licensors, licensees, agents and retailers can put themselves forward in any of the 16 award categories, which cover the whole licensing spectrum, from toys to entertainment, retailing to art and sport. Only licensing programmes or products retailing during 2011 can be considered. Winners are voted by LIMA members. In addition to the category entries, the awards committee will choose a prestigious “Licence of the Year”; given to the property that has had a significant and lasting impact on the licensing marketplace during 2011. Kelvyn Gardner, Managing Director of LIMA UK, said, “Last year’s wins really showed that the UK is a significant power player in the world of licensing and as a community we should step up and show the international community that we’ve got even more to offer. We were also very pleased to see that LIMA members came out in droves to vote for their nominated peers last year – something we’d really like to see again this year.” Any company wishing to put themselves forward for nomination should visit the LIMA website on www.licensing.org. |