Paul Bufton launches new consultancy, Licensed LtdToy World Journal

A licensing business stalwart, Paul Bufton brings his many years of expertise with Rovio, Warner Bros. and, most just lately, Common to bear within the formation of Licensed Ltd.

The revered licensing skilled Paul Bufton has introduced the formation of Licensed Ltd, a brand new consultancy that goals to convey beloved manufacturers to their dedicated followers in new and significant methods.

Asserting the information on LinkedIn, Paul wrote: “I’m so proud and excited to announce the launch of my new enterprise enterprise – Licensed Ltd – and its mission to attach manufacturers with followers. The buyer merchandise business is evolving at such a tempo and has shifted gears from ‘business-centric’ to ‘franchise-centric’, and eventually to ‘fan-centric’ – it’s the appropriate time to take this huge step. Having labored for some wonderful organisations for my complete profession, it’s additionally been humbling and daunting – to not point out an enormous studying curve – establishing one thing from scratch. I can’t thank everybody sufficient for the entire phrases of help, encouragement and plain good recommendation – you completely know who you’re. Onwards and upwards!”

Previous to establishing Licensed Ltd, Paul was vice chairman EMEA Shopper Merchandise, Common Merchandise & Experiences (UP&E). Earlier than that, he was VP Licensing and Enterprise Growth, WBCP EMEA at Warner Bros. Leisure Group, and earlier than that, he was VP EMEA, Shopper Merchandise Licensing, at Rovio Leisure.

Following the announcement, Paul spoke to Licensing.biz about why he made the choice to go solo with Licensed Ltd.

“Going out by yourself has lengthy been one thing I’ve wished to do, after which the chance offered itself,” Paul defined. “It’s a giant step after all, however the exhilarating moments are going to far outweigh the ‘what have I accomplished!’ moments. There’s solely a handful of events when you’ll be able to really roll the cube like this; the situations are proper, and I really feel prepared for what comes subsequent.”

He added: “All through my profession, it’s been a pleasure to see the licensing enterprise shift by the gears and to be part of it. I like pushing industrial partnerships, it’s what get me off the bed within the morning, and again within the day, every thing revolved round industrial phrases. These days, every thing is franchise-first. We’ve bought some wonderful franchises in our business – Batman, Harry Potter, Jurassic World – and a newfound appreciation for the way you construct the licensing layer cake by stay occasions, content material distribution, client merchandise, social touchpoints and so forth. Followers at the moment are telling inventive industries what they need and it’s not rocket science to sit down down, hear, and ship it.”

Paul Bufton

With the world of leisure changing into more and more digital, Paul says he’s eager to convey followers tangible new methods to interact bodily with the franchises they love. He additionally informed Licensing.biz he’s been impressed by the late, nice Kelvyn Gardner, who represented each licensors and licensees in a good and balanced method.

Paul’s licensing colleagues reacted with the business’s normal enthusiasm and help, with many from throughout the panorama providing their congratulations on LinkedIn.

It’s early days for Licensed Ltd, but Paul says he’s already in superior dialog with quite a few firms eager to leverage his experience and elevate their manufacturers’ connectivity with followers. Extra information will comply with as quickly as it may be introduced.

Paul will likely be on the Las Vegas Licensing Expo from Twenty first-Twenty third Could. These wishing to arrange a gathering can contact him on paul@licensing.ltd