Brand Licensing Europe 2011, the Advanstar-organised licensing exhibition, has today announced the finalists of its licensing challenge, License This! The final takes place in front of a live audience at the Brand Licensing Europe show on Thursday 20th October.

• How to . . . for the Domestically Inept, presented by Sarah Watts and featuring everyman, Sam, in 'strips' illustrated in the style of traditional airline instruction cards
• Jacky Al-Samarraie Landscapes, presented by Jacky Al-Samarraie, who portrays British rural and urban landscapes in silhouette and vibrant block colour
• Little Godz, presented by Peter Rohde, based on the gods of Asia, presented in a colourful and contemporary way to appeal particularly to children
• Marsh Mellow, presented by Sarah Lawrence, features a band of brightly coloured, cheeky characters living in a candy-filled world
• Turizmo, presented by Jane Evans, combining sci-fi and fantasy in a series of fighting versions of real car models targeted at boys

License This! 2011 attracted entries from new TV, publishing, digital and design properties from all over the world with particular strength this year from art and design brands. Chair of the judging panel, Andrew Kerr, Managing Director, Aoh!k Commercial Ltd said: “For the panel this year the stand-out entries were ones that were imaginatively conceived, well thought through and which played to the strengths of their creator. The great thing about licensing is that you can focus on creating a novel, well-formed concept in one medium and then attract partners to help you extend it beyond its foundations. I would urge anyone nurturing a new concept to enter it for this competition at the next opportunity.”

License This! was launched last year and is open to new creative concepts looking to break into the global licensing industry. The finalists will pitch their brands to the panel at 1pm on Thursday 20th October, in the Licensing Academy. The panel is chaired by Andrew Kerr, Aoh!K Ltd with Oliver Dyer, Skew Studio; Eric Huang, Penguin and Patricia de Wilde, Marathon Media. The panel will ask questions and offer critique before choosing a winning property, based on its originality, commercial potential and suitability for licensing into other product categories. The winner receives a fully furnished stand at Brand Licensing Europe 2012 (worth an estimated £4,500) so that they can bring the property back to market next year. Last year’s winner, Animaru, is exhibiting on the show floor this year.

Please come and hear the finalists present their concepts at this exciting event, which promises not only the chance to hear about some great new brands, but also the chance to hear advice and expertise from our highly experienced panel.

Brand Licensing Europe 2011 will take place over three days from 18-20 October 2011 at London’s Grand Hall, Olympia. To register your attendance, please visit www.brandlicensing.eu. Entries for License This! 2011 are now closed.