Brand Licensing Workshop Offered Sept. 15, 16 & 30

Date: 8/24/06
Contact: Eric Jome

The Art of Brand Licensing," a two-day workshop sponsored by Illinois State University's Department of Marketing, will be held Friday and Saturday, Sept. 15-16, in the University's College of Business Building. The workshop will give participants practical advice on developing licensed brands, promotions and products.

An optional certificate of completion is available for participants who take part in a third workshop session and make a licensing plan presentation on Saturday, Sept. 30. Advance registration is required for the workshop. The cost is $100 for students and $200 for non-students. The certificate of completion option is available for an additional $50. The registration fee includes course materials, breakfasts and free parking.

Knowledge of brand licensing is critical for many companies since licensing is a rapidly growing, multi-billion dollar industry in the U.S. To a brand or intellectual property owner, licensing offers entrance into new business categories, new territories, new expertise, and increased profit.

"The Art of Brand Licensing" workshop will be conducted by Jerome L. Houle III, a leading expert in the field of brand licensing. Throughout his career, Houle has been instrumental in the licensing of Jim Henson's Muppets, Curious George and Babar. Houle's company, Bliss House, has also been active as a product development company that launched 3M Corporation into the children's product business. The workshop course is endorsed by the International Licensing Merchandisers Association.

Other workshop instructors will include Howard R. Fine, a Chicago-based attorney specializing in licensing and intellectual property law; Maura Kelly, director of licensing for The Bradford Exchange; and Illinois State alumnus Mike Porter, category manager for toys, gifts and collectibles in John Deere's Brand Licensing Group.

For more information on the workshop contact Peter Kaufman, Department of Marketing, at (309) 438-8995 or pkaufma@ilstu.edu

To register contact Illinois State's Conference Services at (800) 877-1478 or (309) 438-2160 or visit www.peopleware.net/2390