Head of Global Licensing Winning Moves

Senior Sales Director Universal Music Group

Brand Licensing Director, The Merchantwise Group

MD at Velocity Brand Management

Asembl Brand & Commercial Director

Head of Licensing & Merchandise A-League

MD Impact Merchandise.

At Impact Merch.

We produce & distribute licensed merchandise to big box & specialty retailers in Australia & NZ.

Associate Vice President, Licensing at IMG

Licensing Director Gaming

Group CEO, Merchantwise Group

Alan is an experienced leader in the development of entrepreneurial business initiatives across the brand licensing, media, entertainment, retail and consumer products sectors.

In 1999, he co-founded and now leads Merchantwise Group, a brand management, marketing and media agency. The Group of six businesses combines licensing, creative, marketing and digital media capabilities to build and extend great brands.

Today, its Brand Management division – comprising Merchantwise and Asembl – is the largest independent licensing agency in Australia and New Zealand, representing some of the world’s most iconic gaming, entertainment, FMCG, and lifestyle brands.  These include Minecraft, Sonic the Hedgehog, Xbox, Call of Duty, Peppa Pig, The Beatles, Violet Crumble, Golden Gaytime, Chupa Chups, Bundaberg Rum, and Rip Curl.

After graduating from Monash University with a Bachelor of Economics in 1993, Alan worked as a strategy consultant for the Boston Consulting Group in Australia and Canada across a wide array of projects in industries including entertainment, manufacturing, telecommunications, primary resources and banking.

Later, as Business Development Manager for Disney Consumer Products, he was responsible for the development of new business initiatives across eight markets in Southeast Asia and Australasia.

In 2000, Alan also founded BrandTrends, a market research business which has grown to become the leading market intelligence data source for the entertainment brand industry worldwide.

Vice President at Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products – ANZ

Artist & Textile Designer 

Manager Consumer Products (Softlines) at Mattel

Hi there! I’m Emma, for the last 10 years I’ve been wrapped up in the wonderful world of Entertainment Licensing. From Paw Patrol to UFC, I’ve had the joy of working with some truly amazing brands. My journey has taken me through roles with Licensors (both local and abroad), as well as Licensees, Agencies, and Retail – giving me the opportunity to work across so many sectors of the industry. Every day brings a new adventure, and my love for working with exciting IP grows stronger each week.

When I’m not negotiating licensing agreements or brainstorming brand strategies, I’m either getting my hands dirty in the garden, crushing it at the gym, or adding to my ever-growing collection of vintage Polly Pockets.

I’m excited to be part of the mentoring program, where I’ll have the chance to connect with fellow licensing enthusiasts, share what I’ve learned, and build meaningful connections along the way. Looking forward to this opportunity to learn, grow, and mentor!

I am a Senior Commercial Manager at The Walt Disney Company with over 15 years of Licensing industry experience. With a background in commercial partnership management, I have been fortunate to establish a strong reputation in the industry as someone who is hardworking, commercially minded and able to foster longstanding relationships.  

I am passionate about creating and executing cross-category marketing and consumer products programs that deliver value, innovation and growth.

As a purpose driven leader, I have a proven track record of exceeding financial targets, developing and presenting detailed brand plans and implementing efficient reporting systems. I also value teamwork, collaboration and adaptation and I have successfully led and empowered teams across different functions and regions.

Having also worked in the UK, my experiences working collaboratively across high profile brands has offered me a well-rounded skill set including strategic business development and strong negotiation skills.

I am excited to meet the next generation of professionals through this exciting Mentor Mornings program

MD Assembl

General Manager Brand Strategy, Marketing and Licensing at Designworks International Pty Ltd

Designworks is a leading wholesaler specialising in apparel, footwear and sporting goods across a broad spectrum of brands from Everlast to Volley to Bluey.

Lian leads brand strategy, marketing, e-commerce, new business development and licensor management across Designworks’ portfolio of owned and licensed brands.

Lian also manages the joint venture with Iconix International, licensing their catalogue of lifestyle brands in ANZ.

Lian started her career in children’s publishing, moving to HIT Entertainment to run publishing licensing worldwide. Her first role in Australia was at Funtastic, before settling into 10 years at The Walt Disney Company in franchise management before Designworks.

MD Assembl

Founder & principal consultant of Blueprint Licensing, a Strategic Consulting agency with a passion for Brand Building, focussed on Innovation & Business Development in the Global Licensing, Consumer Products, Tourism & Music Industries.

25+ years Brand Marketing experience; including 10 years as a Licensing Specialist in the Australian Retail Channel and more recently as Licensing & Marketing manager at a leading Australian Licensee provides me with unique insights & contacts in the International Licensing, Toy & Consumer Products industries.

Blueprint Licensing also provides proven Brand Marketing & Business Growth Strategies for small to medium sized enterprises in the Events, International Tourism & Travel sectors.

Consultancy Services;

• Licensing Strategy
• Business Planning & Sales Strategy Development
• Integrated Marketing Communications
• Digital Marketing, Website Development, E-commerce, Social Media, Influencer Marketing
• Concept Ideation, Design & Development
• Consumer Products Category Development & Management
• Experiential Retail & Visual Merchandising
• Destination Tourism & Attraction Management
• Blueprint Sounds – Live Music Event Production & Artist Services

Global Vision, Local Solutions. Let me help you grow your business, navigating the complex world of Brand Marketing to Build a Blueprint for Your Brand’s Success.

Merchantwise Retail & Trend Director

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

CAPRICE AUSTRALIA

Paul Cannon has been a part of the licensing industry in Australia for more than 35 years.  He is currently the Chief Executive Officer at Caprice Australia, one of Australia’s leading licensed soft good wholesalers as well as a Board Member of Licensing International.

Paul is dedicated to the continued success of the licensing industry in Australia, with particular interest in mentoring opportunities that allow him to share his vast experience and knowledge of licensing to further grow and secure the industry.