Brand Licensing Europe, the Advanstar organised licensing exhibition, has announced the judging panel for this year’s License This! Challenge.

Richard Hollis, Licensing Sales Director Consumer Products, BBC Worldwide will chair this year’s panel, and is joined by Helen Howells, Joint Managing Director, Hoho Entertainment; Jay Young, VP Creative EMEA, Warner Bros. Consumer Products EMEA; and Warren Traeger, Licensing Manager, LOCOG.

Now in its third year, this ‘Dragon’s Den’ style challenge offers those with brand new creative concepts the opportunity to break into the global licensing industry. It is open to any new property that has its roots in publishing, art and design, television or digital media and that has no merchandising deals already in place or pending. The judges will select a shortlist of four entries which will be pitched to the panel in front of a live audience at the show on 18th October 2012. The winner will receive a fully-furnished stand at Brand Licensing Europe 2013, worth £4,500, so that the new property can be brought back to market next year.

Richard Hollis, Chair of the judging panel, said “It is a great pleasure to chair this competition and to be joined by such a strong panel of industry experts. Since its launch, License This! has made a significant impact on its finalists, all of whom have already gone on to develop their brands, many with great licensing deals now signed. It’s a fantastic launch platform, and a useful vehicle for creators to receive advice from experts in the industry. The panel and I look forward to reviewing new concepts, and finding a great new brand.”

Since winning the competition in 2010, animaru have gone on to sign an impressive number of licensing deals including with Optipak for optical products, Sunday Studio (Ruckjack) and Hedge Betty for apparel lines and The Binary Box for children's wall stickers. 2011 finalist Turizmo, represented by agent JELC has signed its first licensing agreement with the pioneering digital avatar company, Australia’s Mishme Enterprises. Last year's winner 'How to... for the Inept' will exhibit its expanded range at this year’s show.

Property creators/owners can submit their property now to be part of License This! by completing the entry form, found at www.brandlicensing.eu. Brand Licensing Europe 2012, takes place from 16th – 18th October 2012 at London’s Olympia.

Registration is now open at www.brandlicensing.eu. Follow us on Twitter for the latest show news and updates@bleurope.