Deadline for nominations: Friday March 1st 2013

LIMA UK is appealing to the licensing industry to leap into action in February and submit an entry for the 2013 Annual LIMA International Licensing Excellence Awards.

Kelvyn Gardner, Managing Director of LIMA UK, expressed his encouragement to UK firms by stating that, “Last year we saw a record number of submissions from the UK, second only to the USA, which clearly demonstrates that the UK licensing industry is punching above its weight. The licensing industry in the UK is demonstrating growth and excellence, and these awards give companies clout on the global playing field. Plus, it's pretty cool to receive one of these prestigious awards at the ceremony in Las Vegas during the world's biggest licensing event".

There are several categories to choose from and winners will be announced at the LIMA Opening Nights Awards Ceremony, on Tuesday 18th June, at the Licensing International Expo in Las Vegas.” The award categories include:

• Art
• Character/Toy Brand
• Corporate Brand
• Film, Television, Celebrity or Entertainment
• Sports
• Licensed Promotion
• Retailer

In 2012 five UK companies fought off stiff competition from the international licensing community to win a coveted award. One of the UK winners was Redan Publishing who walked away with the Best Film, Television, Celebrity or Entertainment Licensee of the Year - Hard Goods for its Peppa Pig/Fun to Learn and Bag-O-Fun magazines.

Robert Sutherland, MD of Redan Publishing Ltd said "We were thrilled to win the LIMA award last year for our hugely successful Fun To Learn Peppa Pig magazine. As an internationally recognised award, it has been great for developing our overseas business and promoting UK based properties worldwide. The award itself looked particularly striking on our stand at the London Brand Licensing show this year!"

The LIMA International Licensing Excellence awards are the licensing industry’s most influential international awards, recognising outstanding achievements in licensing during 2012. Licensors, licensees, agents and retailers can put themselves forward in any of the 16 award categories, which cover the whole licensing spectrum, from toys to entertainment, retailing to art and sport. Only licensing programmes or products retailing during 2012 can be considered. Winners are voted by LIMA members.

In addition to the category entries, the awards committee will choose a prestigious “Licence of the Year”; given to the property that has had a significant and lasting impact on the licensing marketplace during 2012.

Kelvyn Gardner, Managing Director of LIMA UK, added, “It’s great to see that the LIMA Excellence Awards have steadily grown in popularity in the UK over the past two to three years. A strong body of UK submissions has garnered a host of nominations and, last year, a record five winners. The result is that the UK licensing industry is now a recognised force in the world of licensing. At LIMA UK we are therefore openly encouraging members to put their name forward and enter the 2013 awards. Remember, you do not have to be a member of LIMA to submit an entry for your company, or for any other company with which you do licensing business."

Any company wishing to put themselves forward for nomination should visit the LIMA website on www.licensing.org.