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| Monday, 12 January 2015, 19:30 HKT/SGT | |
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Source: HKTDC | |
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| Strong Emphasis on Developing Asia's Licensing Market Potential |
HONG KONG, Jan 12, 2015 - (ACN Newswire) - The Hong Kong International Licensing Show and Asian Licensing Conference opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) with more than 18,000 industry players expected to attend the event, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).
 | | Asia's Largest Licensing Show and Conference Get Under Way |
Some 800 international brands and various types of licensing properties including sports, lifestyle, fashion and art are featured at the show (12-14 Jan). New to the event this year are Bruce Lee content, the popular mobile game Candy Crush, Beijing's The Palace Museum and Zhejiang Provincial Museum. Close to 100 mascot parades will be held throughout fair period to promote a wide array of cartoon and animation characters.
China Opportunities Blossom
Speaking at this morning's opening ceremony, HKTDC Executive Director Margaret Fong said the expanding Asian economy and growing consumer affluence are driving demand for licensed products throughout the region. "The Chinese mainland's appetite for licensed merchandise is particularly strong," Ms Fong said. "It is the world's fastest-growing market for licensed goods, with retail sales of licensed goods reaching US$5.5 billion in 2013."
Ms Fong noted that Hong Kong is the strategic gateway into and out of the Chinese mainland. "Our licensing companies and IP intermediaries have strong distribution networks, access to quality licensees and market sensitivity on the mainland and throughout Asia, making Hong Kong the most favourable base in the region for international licensors and agents looking to expand their business in Asia."
Making History
For the first time, China's Ministry of Culture is leading a delegation of more than 40 companies at the fair, aiming to promote exports of cultural and creative licensed merchandise. Ms Fong said: "Chinese culture has a long history which is worth promoting to the world. We hope more mainland enterprises will take part in the Licensing Show, leveraging this platform to collaborate with licensing agents, diversify licensed goods and expand licensing business to overseas markets."
A special Hong Kong Creative Gallery is also set up to help local designers and illustrators develop licensing business.
The HKTDC has organised 60 missions from Asia, North America, Latin America and Europe, inviting more than 1,000 licensing professionals from 20 countries and regions to Hong Kong. More than 400 business matching meetings have also been arranged, including thematic sessions supported by Hong Kong Apparel Society, Guangzhou Animation and Comics Industry Association, and Beijing Huajiang Culture to encourage cross-industry licensing co-operation.
Creative License
The Licensing Show welcomes a record of more than 310 exhibitors from 18 countries and regions. Nine group pavilions feature exhibitors from Australia, the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, the United Kingdom and, for the first time, Italy.
The world's top licensors, including Sanrio, Warner Bros, Hasbro, IBML, Fox, Click!, Discovery, Smiley and Lamborghini are taking part in the show. The Centre Display Area located at Mezzanine 4 floor showcases licensed products from these brands and artwork from Andy Warhol and Vincent van Gogh. Warner Bros Gallery and Chocolate Rain Coffee Corner were also well-attended during the opening day.
Asian Awards
The presentation ceremony of the 2nd Asian Licensing Awards, organised by the Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA), will be held this evening. These awards recognise outstanding achievements of licensors, licensees, agents, brands and retailers in Asia. Tomorrow, the Asian Licensing Association will present its Asian Licensing Awards with Gregory So, Hong Kong's Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development as the guest of honour.
Star Speakers
More than 30 high-profile industry speakers from renowned global brands are taking part in the Asian Licensing Conference (12-13 Jan). Co-organised by the Hong Kong Apparel Society, the Hong Kong Toys Council, the Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades and Industries and the Hong Kong Retail Management Association, four new breakout sessions on fashion, lifestyle, play & learn and retail dominated this afternoon's programme.
This morning's Plenary Session saw high-level representatives from 20th Century Fox, PVH Corp, P&G and Lamborghini share insights on licensing trends and promotional strategies in Asia.
Tomorrow's China Thematic Session entitled "Unlock the Market Potential in China" will feature mainland licensing experts from Fantawild Holdings, Oriental Dreamworks, Beijing Huajiang Culture, Metersbonwe Fashion & Accessories and Uyoung Media to analyse opportunities and challenges for the mainland's licensing industry. Other speakers include management from Penguin, National Palace Museum and Andy Warhol Foundation.
Extra opportunities
The HKTDC Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair, HKTDC Hong Kong Baby Products Fair and Hong Kong International Stationery Fair also opened today at the HKCEC. Together, the fairs create opportunities for cross-over business activities and intelligence sharing.
Websites
HK International Licensing Show - http://www.hktdc.com/fair/hklicensingshow-en
Asian Licensing Conference - www.hktdc.com/fair/alc-en
Hong Kong Characters Street - www.hktdc.com/hkcharactersstreet
Photos Download: http://filesharing.tdc.org.hk/hktdc/download.php?fid=_phpvz56Ej
Contact:
HKTDC
Corporate Communication Department
Joe Kainz
Tel: +852 2584 4216
Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org
Topic: Trade Show or Conference
Source: HKTDC
Sectors: Trade Shows, Daily Finance, Daily News
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From the Asia Corporate News Network
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