The $340bn global licensing industry has the chance to lead the sustainable transition of the business landscape from the forefront, should it seize it.
It’s that opportunity that sits at the heart of this year’s Sustainability in Licensing Conference – the brand licensing and consumer products industries’ only event dedicated to collective sustainable development – as it makes its return to the Royal Geographical Society in London on Wednesday, 8 November 2023.
Of course, this year’s Sustainability in Licensing Conference couldn’t go ahead without the support of the industry, our Products of Change community, and our most honourable list of sponsors, all of which are flying the flag for sector sustainable development while taking great strides themselves.
Let’s meet the latest line-up of sustainability superheroes:
PowerStation Studios
Over the past year, PowerStation Studios has been making significant stride to closer align itself with sustainability, including introducing the recommendation of eco-friendly materials into its designs, suggestions for reduced waste in many of the licensee production processes, and implementing ‘relevant technologies’ into their packaging design.
On top of this, the team has started co-hosting a print on demand website for clients looking to reduce their impact by limiting waste and excess across a portfolio of vegan, organic-cotton products.
Ambitions for 2024:
PowerStation Studios is at the start point of something very exciting and has detailed plans to target the creative sector within licensing to bring it closer to the conversation of sustainability across the industry. For its own part, the team’s 2024 agenda includes helping its clients explore sustainable materials, helping to refine their supply chains and reduce emissions, and leveraging new technologies primarily in the AI space to design products and packaging that target the right audiences with the right conversations.
The team has also stated it will greater lean in to projects that promote awareness of sustainable practices within the industry. PowerStation Studios is ‘ready to take on the task’ and help lead creatives on the mission to greener horizons.
Sharon Weisman, ceo, PowerStation Studios:
“Our support for Products of Change and the Sustainability in Licensing Conference is important because we believe in the power of collaboration to drive sustainability in the licensing industry. Licensing professionals have a dual responsibility when it comes to sustainability – from creating products and designs that not only meet consumer needs but also have a positive impact on the environment and society, to making conscious choices that benefit both our clients’ businesses and the planet.
“With the right tools and guidelines, we can hold hands and agree to transform mindsets and change processes to respect our legacies.”
Wonder Group – Amscan
The party and dress up specialist, Wonder Group appointed a new Group Sustainability Specialist this summer. Daniel Foster took up the mantle in June this year with the mission to provide support to the individual companies under the Wonder brand and drive the sustainability agenda across each and every one of them.
A key focus for the Dan and the team will be on reduction, a key target for sustainability, whether that’s across emissions, waste, or in single-use materials. Wonder will be looking into new ways to reduce its impact across the supply chain, focusing on scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, as outlined with Climate Partner. The team is currently transitioning its costume packaging to an easily recyclable mono-plastic bag, with 40% recycled content. Targets have also been set to achieve a minimum of 35% recycled content in all products and packaging using plastic.
Ambitions for 2024:
Wonder and Amscan are committed to improving the lifecycle of its products. One example being a significant increase in the amount of machine washable costumes. This means products can be used again and again while working to change the perception of dress-up being a single-use product.
Daniel Foster, Group Sustainability Specialist:
“We’re passionate about sustainability. It is extremely important to us at Wonder to continue to lead the way in our specific category, ensuring our systems and products meet the requirements of the future. Gathering everyone together, discussing this best practice, exchanging knowledge and ideas, is key for us all to bring a greater understanding to the topic and therefore in return, a more sustainable output.”
About SiLC 2023
The Sustainability in Licensing Conference will be making its grand return to the Royal Geographical Society in London on Wednesday, 8 November where the industry will convene to showcase and discuss the latest steps being taken towards industry sustainable development.
A full speaker line-up can be found at the Sustainability in Licensing Conference website, where both in-person and digital-only tickets can also be purchased. SiLC 23 will be live streamed to audiences around the world as the day’s jam-packed agenda takes the conversation of industry sustainability to a whole new level.
