Brand & Lifestyle Awards 2023 open for entries

Brandora Editorial Staff - December 2022

The event – now in its eighth year – will take place on Thursday 27 April 2023, at a lavish afternoon event at The Royal Lancaster Hotel, Lancaster Terrace, London. Over 500 retailers, licensees, brand owners and representatives are expected to attend.

The deadline for nominations and entries across all categories is Wednesday 8 March 2023.

The entry and nomination process for all categories is free and via online submission – all the forms can be accessed from the dedicated B&LLAs website by visiting: www.brandlicensingawards.com/enter/

The B&LLAs 2023 will look to reward brand and lifestyle licensing activity which has taken place in the UK between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022, across Product, Retail and Property categories. In addition, the Brand Ambassador Award will also be presented to a special individual (brand owner, licensor, retailer, licensee or supplier), acknowledging their contribution to the brand licensing sector.

This year will also welcome a new accolade: The Brand and Lifestyle Licensing Rising Star Award – sponsored by Brand Licensing Europe’s Retail Mentoring Programme. The new award recognises and rewards excellence among those ‘new to the brand licensing sector’ in the UK who have shown real potential in the continued evolution of the sector.

It is open to all young professionals aged 35 or under (on 27 April 2023) with a maximum of five years working experience in the brand and lifestyle licensing sector.

“We’re delighted to sponsor this new category at the B&LLAs. BLE’s Retail Mentoring Programme is all about showcasing the best of brand licensing to retailers who are either new to their role or new to licensing,” commented Laura Freedman-Dagg, head of retail, Brand Licensing Europe. “Over the years we’ve seen some exceptional people come through the programme, many of whom have gone on to brilliant roles in all areas of licensing. It’s a real honour to bring fresh talent into the industry and a rising star category couldn’t be better aligned with the Retail Mentoring Programme. This year we’re excited to bring a group of retail mentees to the awards to take part in a celebration of best-in-class brand licensing.”

Brand Licensing Europe also returns as the headline sponsor of the Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards, while trade body Licensing International will once again be lending its support.

"Brand and lifestyle licensing is among the most innovative, creative and fastest growing areas in our industry, rising in value by 27.8% (2022 Global Licensing Industry Study) between 2019 and 2021 – its most impressive performance in six years of Licensing International reporting,” said Anna Knight, vp licensing at Informa Markets. “The B&LLAs does a wonderful job of celebrating and rewarding excellence in product innovation in this sector - it's also an excellent afternoon out - so of course Brand Licensing Europe is delighted to return as headline sponsor."

Steve Manners, head of global marketing and UK md at Licensing International, added: “Licensing International are delighted to once again support the Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards. The ongoing recognition of this ever-growing sector of the licensing industry is incredibly important, as corporate and lifestyle brands continue to realise the potential of licensing to expand their business and consumer engagement. We know that once again we will be seeing some outstanding nominees full of creativity and innovation.”

A number of stellar names have pledged their support as sponsors including Aspire by WildBrain CPLG, Beanstalk, Brandcomply.com, Brandgenuity, CAA Brand Management, Dependable Solutions, Golden Goose, H&A, Hearst, Lisle Licensing, MDR Brand Management, Metrostar, Natural History Museum, Pink Key Licensing, Poetic Brands, Products of Change, Start Licensing and TSBA Group.

For ticket and table information for The B&LLAs awards event, please visit: www.brandlicensingawards.com/tickets/

For sponsorship, entry questions or general enquiries regarding the B&LLAs 2023, please contact Ian Hyder (ianh@max-publishing.co.uk), Jakki Brown (jakkib@max-publishing.co.uk) or Rob Willis (robw@max-publishing.co.uk).

While there is much discussion as to what constitutes a ‘brand’, in the context of The B&LLAs only licences and licensed products featuring brands hailing from the museum & heritage, food & beverage, FMCG non-food, automotive, media, design-led IP and fashion genres are applicable. All entertainment brands including TV, film, celebrity as well as gaming, music and sports are covered by The Licensing Awards in September.