BPMA News October 2009

The bpma announces its Annual Awards which will be held at the Ricoh Arena on the 27th January 2010.Last years awards were a great success but organisers promise a real spectacular this year and over 200 seats have already been pre-sold. Members will be invited to enter awards before the final shortlist goes to a member vote. Some awards will be judged by an expert panel including ISP Award Chairman Edwin Mutton, Jo Saidie, bpma education trainer,Stephen Richards, MD of Incentive & Promotional Marketing Live 2010, Richard Pink ,Licensing Guru and ex Kelloggs Promoitions Controller and Director General of the bpma Gordon Glenister. The Distributor website of the year will be judged by industry experts from Sourcing City, Trade Only, MRS Solutions and bpma IT manager Paul McLennan

Brand Licensing show kicks off again at Olympia from 30th September -1st October. With wide ranging licensing seminars from industry experts the show expects more than 2000 visitors. The Licensing Academy launches with 12 top quality sessions including two not-to-be-missed keynotes. Tackling the most crucial issues facing European licensing professionals, the Licensing Academy is the only free-to-attend Europe-wide licensing conference for licensors, licensees, retailers, promotional agents and marketers. Sessions attracted more than 600 delegates in 2008. Exhibitors include BBC Worldwide, ITV, 20th Century Fox, Manchester United, National History Museum, Sony Pictures, Nickelodeon, Ardman Animations to name just a few For those of you new to the licensing market this is a must see. For more information go and visit the website www.brandlicensing.eu (scroll)

Mike Smith and Karen McBride of Orb International, one of the UK's leading independent merchandising companies, are delighted to announce that they have entered into an agreement to purchase the 'Sports Merchandise Limited' business from the shareholders.

The newly named company 'Sports Merchandise Global', (SMG) are one of the fastest growing, sports goods and premiums companies who work with some of the most prestigious and iconic brand names across a diverse sports portfolio including Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United on a football platform. England Rugby and British & Irish Lions on a Rugby platform, the International Cricket Council on a cricket platform and NBA on a Basketball platform.

The bpma is backing British Manufacturers in a campaign to raise the profile among buyers and distributors to consider Buying more from British suppliers. Major search portals including Sourcing City, Trade Only Search, Sourcing Machine, Promotional Merchandise.Org and the bpma have all agreed to create special search features to allow easy visibility of these companies.. With a weaker pound and a struggling UK Economy there has never been a better time to support our own home grown manufactures and we urge our members to consider this when making buying decisions commented bpma Director General, Gordon Glenister

The bpma is delighted to launch new show partner Waypoint Exhibitions who will run the brand new Incentive & Promotional Marketing Live in September 2010. Promotional Success.tv caught up with MD Stephen Richards to find out more (Q & A )