UBM’s Global Licensing Group has disclosed that Don Anderson, head, family and learning partnerships, YouTube APAC, will provide the keynote address at the inaugural Licensing Expo Japan from April 26 to 28 in Tokyo.
Once on stage for the presentation, Anderson will discuss how independent content creators around the world are influencing and driving change for the licensing and merchandising industry. He will also utilise case studies from popular YouTube Family and Learning creators.
“YouTube has been a launch pad for many of our family and learning creators to establish strong, engaging brands across consumer products: Korea’s Carriesoft, India’s USP Studios, Brazil’s Galinha Pintadinha and Australia’s Moose Toys known for its successful Shopkins franchise are just a few examples,” says Anderson.
More than 40 licensors and agents, showcasing more than 300 brands, have confirmed their participation in the inaugural show including Copyrights Asia, Crown Creative, Gaia, G-angle, Honmoku File, Green Camel, Handmade Creative, Ingram, IMG, Kamio Japan, Le Cordon Bleu Japan, Nissan Motor, Tact Communications, TLC, Tohokushinsha and Tokidoki.
Japan is the world’s third largest market for licensed products after the U.S. and the U.K., generating $700 million in royalty revenues and nearly $12 billion in retail sales each year, according to LIMA’s 2016 global licensing industry survey report. The country continues to see an upward trend in licensing with a developed retail market that features a range of brands and characters throughout the fashion, toys and stationery categories.
To support this growth, UBM, in cooperation with LIMA, has developed Licensing Expo Japan, which will run alongside IFF MAGIC Japan at Tokyo Big Sight Exhibition Center from April 26 to 28.
