... more Exhibitors And More Brands the World Of Licensing Is Not Affected By The Economic

Licensing is not being held back by the economic crisis. Infact, in spite of the negative situation the business linked to the buying and selling of licenses and the development of products based on brands and properties is showing positive signs in Italy as well. A good indicator is the level of early bookings for the next edition of the Bologna Licensing Trade Fair (BLTF) which is the most important Italian exhibition in the Licensing trade. The BLTF 2012 is organised by BolognaFiere SpA and will take place from 19th to 21st March in the Exhibition Area in Bologna, held at the same time as the Children's Bookfair.

The next edition of BLTF will see an increase in the number of both exhibitors (about 60) and also brands represented (over 400), in an exhibition surface area that will reach 3000 m². The “Licensing Industry Survey 2012” will be present for the duration of the fair, the first quantative survey of the economic value of the licensing trade in Italy, promoted by the International Association LIMA (Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association) and undertaken by PwC in conjunction with Licensing Italia. A rich programme of workshops and conferences is being worked on and will look at a range of issues from fashion to art and museums, prospects for the Russian market, and cooperation with the distribution and advertising networks.

Numerous prestigious brands will be present at the next BLTF: amongst which some famous brands such as Lamborghini, Ducati and MV Agusta; new TV products such as “Wanna Dance”, “Bau Boys”, “Wild”, and new cartoons such as “The extraordinary adventures of Jules Verne”, “Together with Rosie” and “Bananas in Pyjamas”; important clothing brands such as Fix Design and Monella Vagabonda; and the San Siro stadium in Milan label. Big Italian and foreign companies feature amongst the exhibitors such as RaiTrade, Mediaset, Publitalia, Turner Broadcasting System, Warner Bros,Mattel, Hasbro, Copyright Promotions Licensing Group (CPLG), Backstage, Planeta Junior, Mondo Tv and many others.

“Our fair is growing all the time and is a candidate to become the focal point of “Made in Italy” to be exported worldwide within the licensing ambit”, declared Marco Momoli, exhibition director of BolognaFiere. “We wanted to create an exhibition setting and an events' context that would offer real appeal to professional visitors from both Italy and abroad. In order to help them become familiar with aspects of licensing not yet fully explored, but which offer interesting new business development potential. In addition, the profile of brands exhibiting will certainly be appealing for international professionals”.