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The Licensing Source Book is proud to announce the winners of The Licensing Awards 2008. The awards were presented last night, 17 September 2008, during a prestigious black tie event at the Royal Lancaster Hotel hosted by comedian and TV personality Rob Brydon. Winners included BBC’s In the Night Garden for ‘Best Baby or Pre-school Property’, Disney’s High School Musical for ‘Best Licensed Schoolers, Tween or Teen Property’. Plus, winners of the brand new awards this year included Marco Pierre White for ‘Best Celebrity Licensed Property’, Liverpool FC for ‘Best Sports Licensed Property’. Created by The Licensing Source Book Europe, part of Max Publishing, The Licensing Awards celebrate the industry’s achievements on all levels and reward innovation and excellence in licensed product development and licensed properties across the full retail spectrum as well as a selection of special awards. For the third year running, Spring Fair Birmingham is the headline sponsor once again and Lima UK is again an official supporter of the awards. The award ceremony has become the ‘must attend’ event in the licensing calendar and over 1,000 guests enjoyed a golden evening of superb entertainment, dinner and dancing – and the fact the whole industry can get together. Highlights from the evening included a guest appearance from five times Olympic Gold Medalist, Sir Steve Redgrave, who presented the prizes at the raffle. Exclusive animations were created by Aardman, HIT Entertainment and TV-Loonland with their much-loved children’s characters who injected their own humour to the evening. Ian Hyder, Director, The Licensing Source Book, comments: “The Licensing Awards definitely hit the spot this year. Over 1000 guests attended the star-studded event with top notch entertainment, a record level of attendance, number of entries and sponsors. We have created the winning formula for a top night that is now a firm favourite in the industry calendar that really puts licensing in the spotlight.” The judging for the Product categories, for which 4,500 products were entered, was conducted by a prestigious panel of over 40 of the top retail buyers including those from Amazon, Boots, Bhs, Clinton Cards, Debenhams, HMV, Mothercare, New Look, Tesco, WHSmith and Woolworths. The judges assessed each product entry considering the following criteria; the excellence of design, innovation and originality; consumer targeting and quality of manufacture and packaging. The award categories recognise products, retailers and property owners. This year’s awards categories include five new awards dedicated to brand licensing (encompassing sports, celebrities as well as general brands). The Licensing Source Book is proud to announce the winners of The Licensing Awards 2008 for each of the three categories are as follows: 1) THE RETAIL AWARD CATEGORY WINNERS Best Baby/Pre-School Retailer (aimed at 0-5 year olds) of Licensed Products Best Schoolers Retailer (aimed at 5-9 year olds) of Licensed Products Best Tweens and/or Teens Retailer (aimed at 9-16 year olds) of Licensed Products Best Brands Retailer of Licensed Products Best Direct Selling Retailer of Licensed Products Best Overall Retailer of Licensed Products 2) PRODUCT CATEGORY WINNERS Best Licensed Toys Or Games Range Best Licensed Dress-up and/or Party Range Best Licensed Children’s Apparel Or Accessories Range Best Licensed Adult Apparel Or Accessories Range Best Licensed Written, Listening Or Learning Range Best Licensed Paper Products Or Stationery Range Best Licensed Giftware Range Best Licensed Interactive Range Best Licensed Home Décor, Housewares or Bedding Range Best Licensed Food Or Drink Range The Innovation Award Best Licensed Brand Range – Soft Goods Best Licensed Brand Range - Hard Goods 3) THE PROPERTY AWARD WINNERS Best Baby/Pre-School Licensed Property (aimed at 0-5 year olds) Best Schoolers, Tween or Teen Licensed Property Best Sports Licensed Property Best Celebrity Licensed Property Best Brand Licensed Property he Honorary Achievement Award |
