9.30am – 10.00am
The 25th Anniversary of Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Cards is the first of a series of events at IKLD dedicated to the anniversaries of major international brands. On this occasion, we will also discuss in detail how to optimise anniversaries to promote and strengthen IP awareness and licensing programmes, as explained by one of the major international key players. Speaker: Jennifer Coleman, Vice President, Marketing & Licensing, Konami Cross Media, USA
Speaker: Jennifer Coleman, Vice President, Marketing & Licensing, Konami Cross Media, USA
10.00am – 10.30am
What better place than Bologna to celebrate one of the most enduring IPs in the history of children’s literature, and one of the most successful in the world of licensing. From fashion to toys, Elmer’s colourful world has extended awareness of the character far beyond the book. Andersen Press tell us about this long, rich journey.
Speaker: Paul Black, PR and Brand Director, Andersen Press, UKn
10.40am – 11.20am
This panel will take place in the Italian language only
The nostalgia trend is one of the most important to keep abreast of today. Some IPs have over time built up a multi-generational fan base, and are now returning to television to conquer new audiences of children and teenagers, appealing to parents in addition to a family audience that remembers previous versions. The challenge is to reposition content and brands to generate new appeal without losing their original identity. For this panel discussion, we talk with the broadcaster and producer about developing a classic IP, Grisu, together with a licensing plan to give this great classic a new position.
Speakers: Silvia D’Archivio, Licensing Brand Manager, Mondo TV Spa, Italy; Annita Romanelli, Head of Animation and Kids Drama Production, Rai Kids, Italy
11.30am – 12.15pm
Join us for an engaging panel discussion on the dynamic landscape of kids’ licensing. Speakers will delve into the intricacies of brand expansion, successful cross-media ventures, and the art of translating beloved IP into captivating licensing experiences. We will investigate how these experts have tackled challenges, leveraged successful brand extensions, and created compelling content for kids and families. Whether you’re an IP owner, content creator, or industry enthusiast, this panel promises valuable insights and lively discussions!
12.25pm – 1.10pm
Organized in partnership with Products of Change
Utilizing storytelling across product development, media, and publishing to catalyze social and environmental change is a powerful strategy. By weaving narratives that highlight sustainability and social responsibility into our products, media content, and published works, we have a chance to inspire action and foster a collective commitment to positive change. Join us as we explore how storytelling can be harnessed across a variety of different platforms to drive meaningful impact on both societal and environmental fronts.
2.00pm – 2.30pm
2.40pm – 3.10pm
3.20pm – 3.50pm
How can a lifestyle brand evolve into a character property through the development of an animated series and a brand-new, kids-focused licensing programme? A quality production by PGS Entertainment, a new 3D animated series and a new adventure for Smiley will all be unveiled in Bologna for the first time. It’s time to discover all the details of this new Smiley franchise.
Speaker: Daniele Tombini, V.P. Business Development Southern Europe, Smiley World Ltd., UK
4.00pm – 4.30pm
This interview celebrates the 50th anniversary of Hello Kitty, an icon of licensing, going back over her international milestones and future challenges, from lifestyle to a successful, animated TV series.
4.30pm – 5.00pm
Organized in partnership with Sanrio
A break to celebrate Hello Kitty. Open to all attendees
5.10pm – 5.40pm
Explore the transformative landscape of Children’s Publishing, where consumer evolution reshapes the storytelling experience for children and families. This panel discussion shares the intricate threads of how, fuelled by technology and changing family dynamics, emerging consumer trends impact the world of children’s literature. Gain insights into adapting narratives, embracing digital platforms, and creating immersive reading experiences that resonate with modern families’ evolving expectations. Discover the keys to achieving success in an era where every page turns into a new chapter in the intersection of storytelling, technology, and familial connections.
Except where otherwise indicated, all sessions will be moderated by Cristina Angelucci, Editor-in-Chief at Licensing Magazine.
Paul Black is the PR and Brand Director at Andersen Press, working on campaigns for Julian Clary’s The Bolds, Joseph Coelho and Fiona Lumbers Luna Loves series, and also managing the brand of Elmer by David McKee. Paul has worked in children’s publishing for 15 years starting at Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children’s Books in UK and subsequently working in a number of roles at Walker Books, HarperCollins and Little Tiger Books.
Moris F. Calasso is an experienced senior licensing professional with many years of experience across the licensing industry from Toys to Entertainment, from Lifestyle to Sport.
Working in various pivotal roles as licensor, agent, licensee and consultant, Moris brings his multifaceted and transversal vision to drive the passion for the Games, promoting the Italian spirit and excellence to expand the licensing opportunities for the next Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games of Milano Cortina 2026.
Jennifer Coleman is a 20+ year marketing and licensing industry veteran. She has worked for and consulted across a wide array of sectors within the industry; from luxury to Broadway to children’s entertainment with top international brands such as Chanel, Thomas & Friends™ and WICKED.
In her current role as Vice President, Licensing & Marketing at Konami Cross Media NY, she leads the team responsible for the iconic Anime brand, Yu-Gi-Oh! as well as the legacy gaming titles: Contra, Bomberman and Frogger. She and her team create the strategies and products that continue to engage audiences, new and old alike. Her previous role at LIMA had her at the forefront of the licensing industry’s issues and challenges addressing the changing retail landscape and global marketplace. As the Head of Marketing for North America at The Britt Allcroft Company/Gullane Entertainment, she was part of the team responsible for the reinvigoration of the pre-school brand, Thomas & Friends™ – now owned by Mattel.
Ms. Coleman is a graduate of Lake Forest College and holds an MBA in Marketing from Rutgers University. She resides in Maplewood, New Jersey with her husband and three children.
Silvia D'Archivio, Licensing Brand Manager at Mondo TV Group. With almost 10 years of experience in the licensing industry, Silvia is a marketing professional specialising in digital strategy and brand management. She holds the position of Licensing Brand Manager at Mondo TV, where she is responsible for the development of franchises related to the animated series produced by the group.
Silvia Figini, is COO of Sanrio GmbH (EMEA, Oceania and India) and Mister Men Limited (Worldwide).
She joined the company in December 2019 bringing her great experience of working within the industry from both licensor and licensee side.
With a strong financial consultant background, 20 years at Disney and Egmont Publishing, she manages an international team and is a key strategic guide for the business development of Sanrio’s iconic characters.
Morghan Fortier is the co-founder and CEO of Skyship Entertainment. She’s overseen the expansion of Skyship’s core brand, Super Simple Songs, from an audience of 2M YouTube subscribers in 2015 to over 50M subscribers today. With a renewed focus on music distribution, publishing and in-classroom education, Morghan is looking forward to bringing the Super Simple Songs brand to even more people around the world.
Philippe Guinaudeau founded The BrandTrends Group, unique, multi-country provider of marketing research, focusing on brand, lifestyle, consumer behavioral and attitudinal trends, with a particular focus on children, youth, and families. With offices in Dubai, Guinaudeau has a unique global analytical perspective.
Guinaudeau has more than 31 years of marketing and analytics experience, and offers expert insight into understanding the durable goods markets worldwide, analyzing the retail landscape, understanding competition, consumer behavior and the brand line architecture, and strategy planning to help clients achieve the best results.
Prior to founding The BrandTrends Group (previously Kidz Global), Philippe was a Director of The NPD Group Inc, the leading global provider of consumer and retail information for a wide range of industries. He started as a Durable Goods Consultant at AC Nielsen prior to joining NPD.
He has lived on three continents and travels the world extensively, living and breathing the international marketplace.
Guinaudeau also has extensive experience in the toys and games, licensing and entertainment industries, with a particular emphasis in the North American, European, Australian, Latin American and Asian markets.
Widely regarded as a leading authority in his field, Guinaudeau is regularly asked to speak at industry events.
Neal Hoskins is a publishing consultant who works on new and creative ways to make and market children’s content. He has been involved in many digital projects with BCBF over the last 10 years. He runsWingedChariot, a company that focuses on innovation and brand expansion in publishing. He has an MA in Creative Writing and published his first picture book with Thames and Hudson this year.
Marianne is a highly respected and accomplished senior executive who currently heads the EMEA & Asia Licensing team at Hasbro. With extensive experience across retail, consumer products, licensing, and marketing, she is recognized for her innovative approach and deep expertise in the field. Marianne brings a wealth of knowledge to her role, excelling in every aspect of the industry and consistently driving success for Hasbro in diverse markets.
Brett Jubinville is the co-founder and COO of Skyship Entertainment. Formerly the Head of Production, Brett is now focused on expanding Skyship’s core brand, Super Simple Songs, into the world of apps, publishing and consumer products licensing. His newest focus is marketing and strategizing how best to effectively reach the massive Super Simple audience of 50M+ YouTube subscribers.
Roleff Kråkström is managing director of Moomin Characters Ltd, and CEO, chairman of the board and founding partner of the licensing agency Rights & Brands. He is a board member on several companies within the Moomin group of companies as well as others. Together with Sophia Jansson, niece of Tove Jansson, Roleff is heading the Moomin operations and licensing strategy.
Before joining Moomin Characters, Roleff worked in the publishing industry for 15 years. Previous to that, he was a fish mongler, something he is very proud of and claims laid the foundation for his skills in sales.
Helena Mansell-Stopher is CEO and founder at Products of Change, a global organization driving positive change across the brand and licensing industry by influencing the reduction of the industry’s environmental impact. It guides a growing community of brand owners, manufacturers, retailers and supporting businesses towards building more sustainable and regenerative business practices, through education and knowledge sharing.
Products of Change is a membership organisation, a media and events platform and an advisor’s service that provides a safe place for industry to learn, connect and transition to a more sustainable future. Helena curates the sustainability in licensing conference (SILC) the first of its kind in the brand and licensing industry, formed to advance the industries knowledge on future innovations within the sustainability space.
Helena is an advisor to the United Nations Conscious Fashion and Lifestyle Initiative and Board Director to Recycle to Read, an environmental educator who builds systems to unlock value in the waste stream benefiting schools and driving awareness through brand advocacy.
With a 26 year career in the retail, brand and licensing industry across media and lifestyle brands, working with companies such as HIT Entertainment, Mattel, Marvel and National Geographic, as well as a 7 year career in sustainability, Helena is at the cutting edge of closing the knowledge gap to advance the industry forward to a sustainable future.
Emmet C is the CEO of StoryToys, a multi-award-winning developer and publisher of apps and games for children. StoryToys have produced apps with many leading children’s brands including The LEGO Group, The Walt Disney Company, Marvel Entertainment, Mattel, Hasbro, Penguin Random House, Warner/DC and Sesame Workshop.
Annita Romanelli works at RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana, the Italian public broadcaster. At Rai Kids, Rai department for kids, she’s in charge for the Unit for Production and Co-production of Animation and kids' Drama. Previously, she has been working as project manager for many animated series, live action dramas, tv shows.
Daniele Tombini, V.P. Business Development Southern Europe at Smiley World Ltd.
His role is to spread optimism promoting the brand SMILEY to existing and new partners in Southern Europe, establishing collaboration based on mutual values of positivity, creativity and sophistication. Most of Daniele career has been in sales development, specializing in yarns, fabrics and cloth, working for Italian and international companies on numerous markets around the world. He moved with his family to the U.K. in 2015 to open the regional office for an Italian printing mill. After that, Daniele worked for a couple of American companies with the specific target of sustainable projects. Specifically, with UNIFI which is the owner of the brand REPREVE(R), He started his career in licenses.
He is passionate about books, travels, good food and good wine, and he’s an active sporter practicing endurance disciplines.
Alan Vele is a producer of audiovisual, movies and videogames, founder of Al-One. He worked for outstanding international brands from early 2000 such as Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, Fox Int. Channels USA, National Geographic and A + E Networks. In 2020 he started producing the first feature animation of a trilogy about environment, TRASH, about waste recycling, released in Italy with more than 320 screens and currently in worldwide distribution.
He is now producing the second project of the trilogy, FOREST, about deforestation. In 2022 he founded Al-One Interactive, born from the parent company's claim, Games for Movies & Movies for Games, with the goal of making high-quality videogame products using the feature animations’ assets.
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