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Over 1,000 guests were at last night’s sell out Licensing Awards Ball to witness the which UK retailers, suppliers and licensors were feted with the licensing industry’s top accolades. The prestigious event was memorable from start to finish – from the moment guests walked through the door, the champagne reception, the sumptuous dinner, the Awards presentation and the entertainment. The host was comedian and radio and TV favourite Chris Addison whose quirky humour perfectly matched the evening’s mood. Commenting, Ian Hyder, director of The Licensing Source Book: “Standing testament to the vibrancy of the licensing sector, The Licensing Awards 2010 really bought every strand of the licensing industry together. It was our dream to make it one of the best awards events in the UK and this year especially everyone really supported us in our aim. Awards entries have grown year on year and demand for tickets has been tremendous. Thanks to the inventiveness and generosity of those involved our much vaunted ‘special touches’ such as bespoke videos and of course the giant goody bag just get better and better’” Now in their fifth year, The Licensing Awards (created by The Licensing Source Book Europe, part of Max Publishing) have gone from strength to strength with the Awards Ball being attended by a veritable ‘who’s who’ of licensing luminaries. The Licensing Awards celebrate the industry’s achievements on all levels. They reward innovation and excellence in product development, the retail treatment of licensed product and licensed property programmes that spanning the world of entertainment, brands and sport. And, debuting this year was the Best Licensed Marketing Communications Award. Headline sponsor this year was Emap Connect, the organisers of Spring Fair International and Autumn Fair International who were joined by a host of leading brands and companies who sponsored individual awards categories. Industry trade association LIMA UK re-enforced its commitment as an official sponsor of the Awards. Enthused Roz McGuinness, Event Director of Spring and Autumn Fair: “What an amazing night! The Licensing Awards are a credit to their organisers and to the talent and creativity that exists within this vibrant and exciting industry. We are immensely proud to be the headline sponsor.” The event raised £thousands for The Light Fund, the industry’s own charitable body through a very strong raffle. Worthy of a very special mention are Martin Lowe, Richard Radford and Dean Greasley from sock licensee Roy Lowe & Sons who, as ‘50 Stones on a Bike‘ undertook an heroic 165 mile trip to The Awards on a triplet – a specially made three man bike . The winners of The Licensing Awards 2010 are as follows: The Retail Award Winners Best Pre-School Retailer of Licensed Products Best Kids Retailer of Licensed Products Best Brands Retailer of Licensed Products Best Direct Selling Retailer of Licensed Products Best Overall Retailer Of Licensed Products The Product Awards Winners Best Licensed Toys or Games Range Best Licensed Dress-Up Or Partyware Range Best Licensed Children’s Apparel Range Best Licensed Adult Apparel Range Best Licensed Written, Listening or Learning Range Best Licensed Paper Products Or Stationery Range Best Licensed Giftware Range Best Licensed Home Décor Range Best Licensed Food Or Drink Range Best Licensed Brand Range The Innovation Award The Licensed Property Awards Winners Best Pre-School Licensed Property Best Schoolers, Tween or Teen Licensed Property Best Sports Licensed Property Best Celebrity Licensed Property Best Brands Licensed Property Best Licensed Marketing Communications Award The Honorary Achievement Award |
