Jennifer Offenborn has joined Advanstar Communications as account manager for Brand Licensing Europe to support the organisation’s drive to further increase visitors and exhibitors attending from mainland Europe in 2008 and beyond.

Jennifer has wide-ranging sales and marketing experience with a CV boasting Daimler Chrysler, Financial Times, Fashion Business Inc & Gariv SL and also speaks fluent German. She will work closely with senior sales executive Licia Viscito who – a fluent Spanish, Italian and English speaker - was recruited last March to spearhead Advanstar's drive into Europe following the event’s re-brand to Brand Licensing Europe in 2007.

Her appointment was one element of an intensified – and very successful - sales and marketing campaign, which resulted in a significant increase in both European visitors and exhibitors attending the event last year. The number of international visitors rose by 26 per cent to account for 23 per cent of the visitor audience. Overall, visitor numbers rose by 8 per cent to a record 4,301; and exhibitor numbers increased by 27 per cent to 197.

The Hosted European Retailer Programme also brought a phenomenal 36 per cent increase in the number of senior buyers from major retailers including El Corte Ingles, Auchan, Carrefour France and Toys R Us Netherlands.

“We’re delighted to have Jennifer on board – she will play a critical role in our ambitions to grow Brand Licensing Europe by 30 per cent in 2008 and will assist us in solidifying the event’s unchallenged position at the heart of the European licensed consumer products business,” commented Advanstar Communications managing director Helen Gardner.

For more information about the event please visit www.brandlicensingeurope.com.