L!CENSING 2003 International

L!CENSING 2003 International: A Launch Pad for Future Mega Brands, A Forecaster of Trends.

NEW YORK -- June 10, 2003 -- L!CENSING 2003 International, the idea marketplace for the development of new and unique consumer products and promotions that will drive retail sales in the year ahead, begins today at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

For three days, the world's leading retailers, consumer product manufacturers, promotions and marketing strategists will have the opportunity to discover the next big thing and to judge the viability and compatibility of existing brands.

More than 19,000 attendees from over 72 countries are expected to visit this year's Show, which is listed in Tradeshow Week's "Tradeshow 200" ranking of the largest and most prestigious tradeshows in the U.S. L!CENSING 2003 International will feature more than 425 exhibitors representing 5,500+ properties for every conceivable consumer product in categories from corporate brands/trademarks, entertainment, publishing, art and design, food and beverage and much more.

"For 23 years, L!CENSING International has been and continues to be the forum for opportunities and deal making," says Elizabeth Waiksnis, show manager, Advanstar Communications. "With 75 percent of our exhibitors returning and an influx of new high-profile exhibitors set to make their debuts, this show is a 'must' for companies seeking business ventures that will generate profits in the year ahead. In fact, last year's survey of exhibitors revealed that more than 80 percent initiated or finalized deals on site."

Anticipating the vibrant global marketplace everyone in licensing has come to expect, this year's Show has many important stories to tell.

-- Exhibitors include Fortune 500 corporate brands, Hollywood's top movie studios, publishing giants, artists and designers displaying their original artwork and much more.

-- 175 first-time exhibitors at L!CENSING 2003 International representing properties available for licensing include DreamWorks, the Campbell Soup Company, Crayola, McDonald's Corp/McKids, Yahoo!, Huffy Corp., Mrs. Fields/TCBY, Toyota, Meow Mix, TV Guide and many more.

-- An exhibitor roster featuring the biggest names in entertainment, including 4 Kids Entertainment, Disney Consumer Products, HIT Entertainment, MGM, New Line Cinema, Nickelodeon, Sesame Workshop, Sony Pictures, Viacom Consumer Products/Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios, United Media, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and more.

-- High-profile consumer brands such as Better Homes & Gardens, McDonald's Corp/McKids, Procter & Gamble, Jeep, Hasbro, H.J. Heinz, Kellogg's, Ford, Mattel, Timex and more.

-- The largest ever Art & Design Licensing Gallery, featuring original designs and artwork from nearly 200 exhibitors.

"An increasing number of companies are exhibiting at the Licensing Show because they realize the enormous potential of licensing as a powerful, cost effective, and profitable tool within their total marketing mix," says Charles Riotto, president of the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA). "They understand that no matter how well entrenched a brand is within the marketplace, licensing is a way for them to further build and reinforce the relationship between the brand and consumers as well as increase its presence in the retail arena."

Now in its 23rd year, L!CENSING International continues to reflect key trends in consumer product merchandise. Trends on this year's show floor include properties representing the following categories:

Entertainment: Recognized as the largest licensing category, entertainment encompasses the blockbuster movies, the latest TV properties, exciting new characters and the classics. The most significant trend in this category is the establishment of franchise-building properties developed as part of the overall marketing strategies designed to give a property longevity, sustain consumer attention and develop extended licensing programs. Look for sequel and package deals from major motion picture studios including: Warner Bros. Consumer Products - Looney Tunes: Back In Action; Sony Pictures Consumer Products - Spider-Man 2; DreamWorks - Shrek 2; New Line Cinema - The Return of the King; Universal Studios Consumer Products - Thunderbirds, VanHelsing; Disney - Finding Nemo; as well as Viacom Consumer Products, Nickelodeon, Sesame Workshop and many others.

Corporate Brands/Trademarks: Corporate brands/trademarks represent the second largest single category in retail sales of licensed product goods, generating more than $18 billion nationwide in 2002(a). With companies like General Motors, Ford Motor, AT&T, Boeing, Procter & Gamble, AOL Time Warner, PepsiCo, Wells Fargo, Walt Disney, Viacom, McDonald's and Anheuser-Busch representing the Fortune 500 and more at L!CENSING 2003 International, the power of licensing in corporate America is clearly on display. It's the leading strategy in the development of marketing plans that leverage brand recognition to drive sales in ancillary consumer product goods.

Food & Beverage: Recognized as the largest category within corporate brands/trademark licensing, accounting for more than 30%(a) of licensing revenue, the food & beverage category is one of the fastest growing in the business of consumer product sales and marketing. Masterfoods USA, The Campbell Soup Company, Kellogg's and Frito-Lay are all looking at how to leverage their brands in the food and ingredient categories in the battle for retail real estate, as well as brand extension into products outside of their core category for increased profitability.

Automobile Manufacturer Merchandising: This year's show floor also reflects the growing impact of licensing among the world's leading auto companies including Ford, General Motors, Daimler Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Nissan, Infiniti and Toyota. A successful licensing program has the ability to translate the intimate lifestyle aspect of car ownership to a myriad of ancillary product lines that help to reinforce consumer loyalty.

Art & Design: Licensing has changed the way artists and designers market their work. With over $161 million in royalty revenues, more than $3 billion in retail sales over the past year and a +9.5%(a) increase in the licensing of art properties, artists and designers have become powerhouses in the licensing industry. At the annual Licensing Show, what began as a collection of 20 booths ten years ago, has turned into the Art and Design Licensing Gallery including nearly 200 exhibitors. Agreements with manufacturers and retailers to produce paper goods, textiles, home furnishings, stationery, giftware and more have given artists the opportunity to bring their concepts and images to a large scale audience. And manufacturers are able to add uniqueness to their products with original designs not seen anywhere else.

L!CENSING International is produced by Advanstar Communications Inc., a worldwide business information company serving specialized markets with high quality information resources and integrated marketing solutions.

L!CENSING 2003 International is sponsored by the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association, the worldwide trade association for the licensing industry, serving as the global advocate for the business of licensing. For information on LIMA programs and activities, please visit www.licensing.org.

L!CENSING 2004 International takes place June 8 - 10, 2004. For further information, please call (203) 882-1700 or visit www.licensingshow.com.

(a) The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA)