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The development of the LIMA representation in Germany clearly illustrates the increasing interest in licensing on the German market. More and more companies from all parts of the value chain acknowledge the advantages of a strong business association. LIMA Germany has grown from 50 members in 2001 to 225 for the current year, including retailers and buying groups like C&A, idee+spiel, Vedes, Metro Group and the Media-Saturn Group, amongst others. But also licensees and manufacturers, including Egmont Ehapa, Ferrero, Hasbro, Mattel, McDonalds and Sony BMG have joined the LIMA. Not to forget key market players and major licensors or licensing agencies like Bavaria Sonor, Copyright Promotion, TLC, MTV Nickelodeon, Super RTL, WDR, ZDF, Walt Disney, Warner Bros and many more. LIMA Germany is the second largest LIMA representation worldwide, just behind the USA. Additional LIMA offices operate from London, Shanghai and Tokio. LIMA Germany has been founded to represent the interest of the licensing industry in German-speaking territories and Europe. Their concept is built upon three pillars: competence, communication and contact. Thus one of LIMA’s most important features and services is networking. Little wonder, the licensing association has long become the strongest professional network for licensing. Not without reason: The LIMA develops a large infrastructure for their members, including presence on the internet, databases and market research, communication platforms, networking activities, close cooperation with the International Toy Fair in Nuremberg and the “Disney Retail Expo” and organizes business events like "The Day of Licenses” in Cologne and the "Licensing Market". In addition, seminars and the presentation of the Annual LIMA Germany Awards – the only LIMA Award outside the USA – provide a better understanding of competitors and the market. “LIMA generating business” - that’s what LIMA does for their members. So the Day of Licenses in Cologne has long become a well-established business highlight for the licensing industry in spring. This year more than 600 visitors attended the Sixth Day of Licenses. In the evening, the annual meeting was topped-off by the LIMA Spring Festival, a popular "members only" networking event with 500 guests at the wonderful Wolkenburg location in Cologne. Also top-class is the Licensing Market in Munich. Germany’s Marketplace for Licenses takes place on 4 November in the glamorous hotel “Bayerischer Hof”. The show is firmly established as a perfect combination of information, networking and presentation and spans the whole spectrum of licensing. For licensors and licensing agencies, manufacturers and retailers as well as advertisers and other companies involved in licensing business in Europe the show is one of their most important marketplaces. The exhibition welcomes leading companies from all over Europe, licensors and agencies like Bavaria Sonor Musikverlag & Merchandising GmbH, Copyright Promotions GmbH, MM MerchandisingMedia GmbH, Studio100 Media GmbH, Super RTL / RTL Disney Fernsehen GmbH & Co. KG, The Walt Disney Company (Germany) GmbH and many more. In addition, you meet well-known licensees including Baros, Fipotex Europe GmbH, Foreign Media Group Germany GmbH, Global Labels, Kaufmann Neuheiten, Nici GmbH, Noax GmbH, p:os handels GmbH, Sun Decorations Deutschland GmbH and United Labels AG. According to Heike Winner, managing director LIMA Germany, the show floor is almost fully booked and only very few info points are still available for quick bookers. The exhibitors’ list reveals that the Licensing Market has long become a fixed date in the diary of licensing professionals in Europe. After all, each year visitors enjoy additional services beyond networking: comprised information and interesting seminars, new fresh ideas, top-class speakers, exclusive insights to the market and outlooks on future best-sellers of the licensing industry. This year, LIMA Germany has again been able to sign first-class speakers for the LIMA seminar programme. So Axel Dammler, managing director, ICONKIDS & YOUTH, leads the way through the licensing jungle and explains how customers find the right license for their product. Werner Lenzner, Director EuroToys Central Europe, npdgroup Germany GmbH, talks about the chances and opportunities of licensing and the toy market; while Prof. Dr. Marc Drüner, acting business director, trommsdorff + drüner, innovation + marketing consultants GmbH (t+d), reveals the potential of brand management in the multi-channel era. Finally Dirk Ankenbrand, Division Manager Textiles / Footwear, Metro Buying Group, real,- SB-Warenhaus GmbH and Guido Koch, managing director, Jansen Textil GmbH, discuss cooperative licensing in retail and the ROADSIGN Australia brand. The final highlight is the exclusive LIMA Award Cocktail & Dinner Party that rounds-off the Licensing Market. Here LIMA Germany honours the industry’s best with the coveted LIMA Germany Awards in seven categories. The annual award for outstanding achievements in licensing business is voted on by affiliated LIMA Germany members. The Large Ballroom at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof provides the perfect background to establish business contacts and celebrate the day. For more information, please contact: www.lima-verband.de |
