Brand Licensing Europe, the Advanstar organised licensing exhibition, is today proud to announce its 2010 keynote speaker for the 2010 event: Andrew Davenport, the award-winning creator, writer and composer of the children’s television phenomenon, In The Night Garden, and co-creator and writer of the global smash television hit, Teletubbies. Davenport is a hugely important and influential figure in the licensing arena globally. The worldwide popularity of In the Night Garden and Teletubbies’ - produced by Ragdoll Productions for the BBC - has translated into massive retail sales for their licensed products, exceeding £2bn for Teletubbies alone.

Teletubbies pioneered programmes for young children and has now won 17 major awards, has been seen in over 120 countries, with 33 million videos and DVDs and over 50 million plush toys sold worldwide.

Bafta-winning In the Night Garden was the fastest growing toy and game license in its first year, with an amazing 4.4 million plush toy sales to date. Outside the UK, In the Night Garden has been translated into 19 different languages. In China alone, the DVD quickly became the bestselling western pre-school property in the market.

Jessica Blue, event director, Brand Licensing Europe 2010: “We are thrilled that Andrew, as such an influential figure in the industry, is delivering the keynote speech in what is set to be our biggest and best Brand Licensing Europe event yet. Andrew is one of the world’s leading pre-school creators who has helped remodel the landscape of children’s programming and its licensing potential.”

Joining Davenport at Brand Licensing Europe 2010 will be a host of expert speakers including John Burns from Halliwells LLP and Greenlight vice president, David Reeder.

Brand Licensing Europe 2010 will take place over 3 days from 28-30 September 2010 at London’s Grand Hall, Olympia.