2026 LICENSING AWARDS
ANZ EXCELLENCE
29TH OCTOBER 2026
CROWN CASINO, MELBOURNE
presented by
The ANZ Excellence Awards
Showcasing innovation and creativity in Brand, License, Product, Event or Individual
MELBOURNE – CROWN CASINO
THURSDAY 29TH OCTOBER
6.30 PM TO 10.30 PM
The Licensing ANZ Awards recognise excellence, innovation and commercial success across the licensing industry. If your business, brand, campaign or collaboration has delivered standout results, this is your opportunity to be recognised by the industry.
These prestigious awards celebrate the innovation, creativity, and commercial success of the ANZ licensing community—from licensors and licensees to retailers, agents, and rising talent. As part of the globally respected Licensing International Awards program, the ANZ edition offers local recognition with international credibility.
Join Us for a night to remember, where you can be inspired by the leading brands, products, licenses, retailers and individuals.
Be inspired as you learn what they have done that is innovative and creative.
It will be a black tie affair all whilst soaking up Melbourne at night as seen from the Crown River Room.
Enjoy a cocktail on arrival, a delicious three-course meal and wines to celebrate these amazing achievements.
CROWN CASINO: RIVER ROOM
8 Whiteman Street, Southbank. Victoria 3006
Black Tie – Cocktail
Parking is included
A night to remember
Finalists will be announced end September
LUCY LIN
Emerging Tech Unpacked Podcast Host
OUR MC
Lucy Lin is a professional MC, speaker and LinkedIn Top Voice known for bringing energy, warmth and sharp storytelling to the stage. As the host of the award-winning podcast Emerging Tech Unpacked, she has interviewed founders, executives and innovators with listeners in 64 countries, and built a reputation for making complex ideas engaging, human and fun to listen to – a skill she brings straight to the mic as an MC.
Lucy is the Founder of Forestlyn, an innovation, growth and communications consultancy, and NSW Vice Chair of the Australian Computer Society (ACS). Over two decades, she has led marketing, communications and community programs for global and local brands including American Express, Qantas, AMP and HERE Technologies, and has hosted and moderated stages for corporate, government and industry events across Australia.
A global citizen who has lived and worked across five countries, Lucy brings a natural curiosity, quick wit and genuine warmth to every event she hosts – helping audiences feel celebrated, engaged and part of the moment. Outside of work, you’ll find her travelling, hiking, or on a tennis court.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR HALL OF FAME HONOREES
TOM PUNCH
Tom Punch’s 36 year licensing journey began with a rented office, two rented computers, an old Honda Civic, and the kind of entrepreneurial energy that builds an industry legacy. From those early days, Tom has helped grow Haven into Australia’s most awarded licensing agency, recognised globally for the strength, creativity and commercial impact of its programs. Under his leadership, Haven has delivered an unmatched run of major brand launches and partnerships, earning international recognition from some of the world’s most celebrated brand owners, including Sanrio, 20th Century Fox, HIT Entertainment, Sesame Street, Felix the Cat, MGA Entertainment and more.
Tom’s career has placed him at the centre of extraordinary licensing moments, from becoming Nickelodeon’s first ever agent globally, to launching Star Wars Episodes I, II and III, building Marvel’s presence in Australia from the early Spider-Man and Iron Man days, driving powerhouse programs for The Simpsons, Thomas the Tank Engine, Lord of the Rings, South Park, Hello Kitty, Peanuts and Sesame Street, and pioneering unexpected partnerships across food, live entertainment, transport, sport and the arts.
His philosophy of “service and results” has shaped Haven’s reputation for global best practice, while his belief that “opportunities are not given, they are taken” has helped create a culture where people are encouraged to think differently, back bold ideas and build remarkable careers.
Tom’s contribution is one of vision, energy and results, a legacy defined not only by the brands he has helped bring to life, but by the people, partnerships and possibilities he has championed along the way.
YVONNE KING
Yvonne King’s career is woven through some of the biggest entertainment and licensing moments of the past three decades. Through Haven, and earlier with Gaffney’s, she has represented many of the world’s most iconic studios and brands, including Lucasfilm for Star Wars, New Line for The Lord of the Rings, Sony Pictures, Marvel Studios, 20th Century Fox, Paramount, LEGO, South Park, Bratz, Sesame Street, Pokémon, Dr Seuss, The Smurfs, Sanrio’s Hello Kitty, Beverly Hills 90210 and Terminator 2. Her work has often placed her at the beginning of major entertainment shifts, from introducing Nickelodeon brands before pay TV arrived in Australia, to building the enormous Blue’s Clues and Dora the Explorer programs, working with Marvel before its characters became global movie franchises, and helping bring reality television into Australia through Big Brother. Alongside this, Yvonne has built Haven into a brand with a reputation all of its own, irreverent, fun, fiercely experienced and deeply respected. With long standing relationships, award winning programs, decades long staff loyalty and a no nonsense approach that has earned respect locally and globally, Yvonne’s contribution has helped shape not just successful licensing programs, but the culture and character of the industry itself.
OUR SPONSORS
