It’s been a busy year for POC, with so much achieved, and what better way to showcase this than a convenient compilation. Forget Spotify Wrapped, we give to you POC Wrapped! Enjoy!
One brand refresh
Earlier this year POC launched this lovely new branding that you can see all over our (also new this year) website, socials and the magazine, filling it with bright colours and fun graphics to showcase the dynamism and positivity of our industry.
200+ members
The POC network continues to constantly expand, and this year it has become a community of over 200 members, all connecting and working together towards sustainable impact.
POC Membership becomes not-for-profit and the new Member Hub launched
To really embody the importance of focus of our POC membership community, and to reinvest back into those members, POC’s Membership Organisation officially became a not-for-profit.
Designed with its Membership front of mind, the new Member Hub offers a fluid networking experience to enable instant connection across the Products of Change sustainability community, including with its industry ambassadors and sustainability advisors.
Two magazines
This year has seen two POC magazines published, the Spring edition, and the most recent Autumn edition. The issues bring together all the key focuses of our industry, including some fantastic expert interviews, company profiles, and a real showcase of what is being achieved in the world of sustainability.
We have loved sharing these with you at shows and online – they’re always available to browse on our website. Look out for our next issue in Spring next year!
Expansion of Team POC
The POC Team has grown from two at the beginning of the year, to eight, including all our fantastic advisors.
- Helena Mansell-Stopher, founder and CEO
- Kathryn Brand, editor and content manager
- Nicola Webster, social media and community manager
- James George, lead advisor
- Andrea Green, VP North America
- Mike Swain, packaging advisor
- Heidi Florence, B Corp advisor
- Nikki Beckett, partnerships advisor
One Future Forecast Report
A first of its kind report analysing the global brand licensing industry’s environmental footprint and relationship with sustainable development, is available in the back of our Autumn 2024 magazine, and on our website under Resources.
Compiled by Products of Change, the 2024 Future Forecast provides a detailed look into the collective impact of the leading brand owners from across the $356.5bn brand licensing industry as well as the many new legislative demands the industry faces.
Socials growth
The POC LinkedIn page saw 900 new followers and 170k impressions over the last year. Our Instagram page is also on the up, with a 63% increase in engagement from last year. Don’t forget to give us a follow!
Supported five industry awards
POC was in attendance and sponsored awards for:
- Bologna Licensing Awards
- Toy Industries Europe
- B&LLAs
- Licensing Awards
- Licensing Excellence Awards
- Excellence in Housewares Awards
One packaging guide
Our Sustainable Packaging Guidebook has been in development and is almost complete – keep your eyes peeled in the coming weeks!
Six educational modules
Our sustainability modules are there to give an introduction and an overview of the main pillars of sustainability. Once completed a course, you are awarded a certificate showcasing as much, to share your achievement with colleagues or on socials.
Two packaging workshops, and ten sustainability 101s
We have hosted a range of informative events over this year, bringing together different industries to learn and discuss steps forward. Keep checking our Events Calendar as over the next couple of weeks we will be adding in lots more workshops and working groups for the new year.
Judging the Smiley Charity Film Awards
POC attended the Smiley Charity Film Awards back in March. In the three years since the Charity Film Awards officially became known as the Smiley Charity Film Awards, it’s become a sell-out event. The Smiley Charity Film Awards also experienced a record number of submissions this year.
Ten trade fairs
The POC Team has been busy attending industry trade fairs over the year, connecting with our members and spreading awareness of what we do. This included: Australian Toy Fair, Spring Fair, New York Toy Fair, Bologna Book Fair, Licensing Trade Fair, Hong Kong Licensing Fair, Licensing Expo, US Sports & Tailgate Show, Brand Licensing Europe, Clean & Tidy Home Show, London Toy Fair, London Stationery Show, and Reset Connect.
Three meet ups in LA, London, and at the POC Conference
While our POC community may be spread far and wide across the globe, we do love to see you all in person when we can! This year we hosted three POC get-togethers, one in LA, another in London, and of course another at the POC Conference in November.
Created Carbon Methodology for the brand and licensing industry
After realising that the current framework for the brand and licensing industry to measure their Scope 3 emissions left a lot of room for doubt and error, POC rallied its connections and resources to create a definitive guide, which if approved, will go on to form part of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol.
Read the article on the guidance and work that went into it in our magazine.
One Conference relaunch
On Wednesday 6th November, the retail and brand licensing community assembled at the Royal Geographical Society, London, for a deep dive into the world of sustainability for the Products of Change Conference.
Four member awards
At this year’s POC Conference on 6 November, we marked Products of Change’s second Member Awards, inaugurated at last year’s Conference, through which we continue to celebrate the individuals and companies exemplifying the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
- Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Anita Majhu, BBC Studios.
- Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Lisa Foster and Andrew Hajithemistou, TMSW.
- Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action – Maxine Lister and team, Natural History Museum.
- Sustainable Development Goal 9: Industry Innovation and Infrastructure – Members of the Children’s Magazine Forum from Seymour Distribution, Immediate Media, Redan Publishing, Story House Egmont, Kennedy Publishing, DC Thomson and Frontline.
Launch of Water Week with the UN and Waterbuster
Products of Change and Wastebuster brought the entertainment, educational, and water industries together to celebrate the launch of the UN-backed UK Water Week in London in June.
Two podcast episodes
The True Purpose Podcast: The Purpose of Sustainability with Helena Mansell-Stopher | S02 E02
Totally Sust Podcast: Sustainability intelligence & product impact scoring | Episode #5
Advisor work grows
The work of the POC advisors continued to grow, with meetings in London, LA and Denmark. Our advisor team is on hand to support our members through their sustainable growth.
Five years of POC
Sticking with its modus operandi of uniting the ‘individuals who care’, Products of Change united members from across the fashion, entertainment, sports, charity and conservation, publishing, and sustainability sectors to celebrate five years of POC in June.
With five years to hit 2030 climate goals, Products of Change is now gearing up for the next phase of the industry’s evolution and maturity with sustainable development.
