Hi Lilys,
So after about a month of working at Sainsburys Coventry Support Centre I was put onto a ‘Retail Brand Licensing Mentoring Programme’ by Advanstar. Some of you might be wondering what an earth that is! Basically, it is a programme designed for retailer’s employees, mainly buyers who are new to the company or new to licensing and might benefit from the participating in the programme through seminars, networking events, visiting licensors and shadowing to learn more about it.
Four of us in total were nominated to participate in the programme by ou Buyer, all from Childrenswear because our department deals the most with Licensing. When I first found out about the programme I wasn’t sure what to expect but I am so pleased I have been put onto the mentoring programme as I will learn so much and I will feel more prepared when liaising with licensees and licensing agents. I have been invited to meetings with companies such as Hasbro and I didn’t really know what to expect or what is expected of me, the type of questions I should ask and even the most basic things such as terminology. But it will also be useful as my manager (the Buyer on Toddler Boys) has already suggested that once I am more comfortable and familiar with my Buyers Admin Assistant role then I can start to buy ‘Character’, e.g. Gruffalo, Thomas The Tank Engine, George Pig and Monsters Inc, etc.
Yesterday, on a sunny London day at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Buckingham Gate, I attended the first event of the programme, LIMA Licensing Essentials Course. This was a seminar where people who have a lot of experience within the licensing industry gave a presentation to share their knowledge. Speakers includes licensors (ITV), Licensee (Fashion UK), Legal and Finance, a speaker from The Science Museum (who surprisingly do deal with a lot of licensing for events within the museum). The end of the seminar included a questions and answers section and a cheeky glass of Prosecco :)
I must say it was a brilliant day and I definitely learnt a lot (even did a little bit of sightseeing in out lunch break.
Love LilyLish x
