Sustainability really was on the menu for attendees of the Brand and Lifestyle Licensing Awards last week during a lavish London event that proved reducing impact is longer a side dish of industry but fast becoming a staple of its recipe for success.
More than 450 retailers, licensees, and brand owners shared in the joy of a memorable awards event held at the Royal Lancaster London on Thursday, 27th May, where the industry and Products of Change community had plenty to celebrate as the event played out well into the evening.
The Natural History Museum team took home no fewer than three trophies, including Best Brand Licensed Product or Range for its stationery range from Blueprint Collections; the Sustainability Brand Licensed Product or Range Award for its popular Dunelm Collection; and a very special award for head of licensing, Maxine Lister who was named this year’s Brand Licensing Ambassador.
A founding member of the Products of Change community and devotee to the industry’s journey of sustainable development, Maxine received a standing ovation reflective not only of talent and creativity she brings to the sector but the respect she has of her peers.
Beyond the innovation that The Natural History Museum and its partners continue to bring the licensing industry, sustainability found itself meandering throughout the ceremony last week. Poetic Brands and Discovery Animal Planet celebrated a win in the Best Brand Licensed Children’s Product or Range category for its special George at Asda collection, while Smiley took home the trophy for Best Licensed Design-led Lifestyle Brand.
Presenting the award for Sustainability Brand Licensed Product or Range this year, Helena Mansell-Stopher, founder and ceo of Products of Change rallied for each of the category’s finalists, stating that “even just by being shortlisted, and taking that positive action to reduce impact and do things differently, you’re all already winning.”
And doing things differently became an overarching theme of the day when guests were served a fully vegetarian menu by the team at the Royal Lancaster London, a venue itself that has outlined its commitment to measuring and reducing its carbon footprint.
The full list of the Brand and Lifestyle Licensing Awards 2023 winners can be found here.
