here we go ahead

Here we are again. Playing the waiting game. Licensing is to speed what treacle is to pouring. In the time it takes for a contract to be prepared and signed one could easily learn to be a concert pianist, or build a small outhouse. Typically for a relatively small business, we risk being stuck somewhere between fast and famine.

Spring Fair

I don't recommend going to Spring Fair with a bad cold because it's not exactly the best place to recuperate. Spent the next day in bed processing the highs and lows of the day.

High was seeing some of the products on display that were previously only a fantasy in my little head.

Low was the 5.5 journey back. Not to mention the 1.5 hours doing 7 miles in the car park.

What I learnt: some licensors are working overtime to deliver value for royalty. One I spoke to conducts direct meetings with retailers designing products to their specification and then passing these approved designs to their licensees. These then appear as new product.

The same licensor also prepares a range pack incorporating all the licensees in small quantities, and manages the sell-in rather than counting on licensees with 50 brands who are desperate to sell in bulk.

I also learnt never to drive back from Birmingham but that's another story.