Hong Kong International Licensing Show Opens Tomorrow
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The 9th edition of Hong Kong International Licensing Show will open tomorrow (10 Jan). Pictured are HKTDC Assistant Executive Director Raymond Yip and cartoon license properties Maggiology and B Duck etc. |
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Founded by Hong Kong designer Prudence Mak, Fatina Dreams is well received in both local and overseas markets. Licensed gift cards and stationery sets will soon be launched by leading company in UK and Netherlands respectively. |
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Liverpool FC is among many global brands that making debut at Hong Kong International Licensing Show. Photo shows HKTDC Assistant Executive Director Raymond Yip standing in front of the booth.
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9 January 2011 – World-class football clubs Liverpool, Manchester United and Juventus, as well as Hong Kong companies G.O.D. (Goods of Desire) and Fatina Dreams, are among the many brands looking for opportunities with manufacturers and agents at the HKTDC Hong Kong International Licensing Show, which opens tomorrow and continues through 12 January at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).
On the eve of the event, Raymond Yip, Assistant Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), said Asia’s licensing business is thriving, with retail sales of licensed merchandise reaching US$17.2 billion in 2009.
“The licensing market on the Chinese mainland is still in its nascent stage, but the market potential is promising. The mainland’s per capita sales of licensed products has tripled in the past five years, to US$2.33,” said Mr Yip.
Key Licensing Gateway
“Hong Kong, as Asia’s business centre, is an important gateway to the mainland and Southeast Asia,” Mr Yip added, noting that many foreign licensing companies have set up offices in the city. Among those with a Hong Kong presence are UK companies Performance Brands Asia and Beanstalk. Mr Yip said the firms are exhibiting at the fair in hopes of expanding their business through Hong Kong’s networks and connections.
Mr Yip also said licensors can work with various agents and manufacturers to develop a variety of properties in garments, accessories, toys, gifts and premiums and stationery.
“Licensing will benefit both the licensor and the licensee. For licensors, it will help to enrich and diversify the product category in a short period of time,” he said. “For licensees, properties such as popular brand names, animated characters and movie characters will add value to their products while saving money in product development and market promotion. It’s also a shortcut to entering the international market.”
Promoting Hong Kong Design
The ninth Licensing Show has attracted more than 140 exhibitors from 16 countries and regions. It will feature more than 500 licensing properties, from cartoon animation, film, arts and fashion brands to sports and top universities.
The mainland, Korea, Thailand and the United Kingdom will host group pavilions. The show will also feature the Lifestyle Pavilion and the Hong Kong Character Hall, along with a variety of internationally recognised brands. They include BMW, Daniel Hechter, Fiorucci, Ford, Hallmark, Jaguar, Laura Ashley, Morgan, Royal Doulton and Wedgewood. Home-grown animated characters such as Little Gobie 3D, McMug & McDull, CJ7, Pleasant Goat & Big Big Wolf and Maggiology will also take part.
Fair highlights include the Hong Kong International Licensing Conference, featuring licensing experts Charles Riotto, President of the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA), Danny Simon, President of Los Angeles-based The Licensing Group, and Ciaràn Coyle, Managing Director of London-based The Beanstalk Group. These and other international licensing players such as representatives from Coca Cola, Mattel and Warner Bros will focus on brand licensing, sports licensing and toy licensing in Asia.
Premier Asian Licensing Awards
The show is also hosting the seventh Premier Asian Licensing Awards, which celebrates the outstanding achievements of industry players in developing licensed properties and brands in Asia. This year, more than 230 entries are competing for seven awards in six categories: Best Asian Property, Best Brand & Design License, Best Entertainment License, Best Licensee, Best Licensing Agency and Best Licensed Premium Promotion. New this year is the Merit Award, recognising the achievements of an emerging Asian-based property within the Asian licensing industry.
The Licensing Show runs concurrently with the HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair and HKTDC Hong Kong Baby Products Fair (10-13 January), as well as the Hong Kong International Stationery Fair, which is organised by the HKTDC and Messe Frankfurt Hong Kong. These three shows will present a broad range of opportunities for exhibitors and buyers, with some 2,500 suppliers expected to take part.
Fair Websites
HKTDC Hong Kong International Licensing Show: www.hktdc.com/hklicensingshow
HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair: www.hktdc.com/hktoyfair
Hong Kong International Stationery Fair: www.hkstationeryfair.com
HKTDC Hong Kong Baby Products Fair: www.hktdc.com/hkbabyfair
Media Enquiries
Beatrice Lam Tel: (852) 2584 4049 Email: beatrice.hy.lam@hktdc.org
Osbert Kwan Tel: (852) 2584 4395 Email: osbert.wc.kwan@hktdc.org
About the HKTDC
A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers. With more than 40 global offices, including 11 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises trade fairs and business missions to connect companies with opportunities in Hong Kong and on the mainland, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and online. For more, please visit www.hktdc.com.
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