Held on the expo floor on June 13 and 14, the expert-led panels bring together the most respected visionaries in the industry for a trend-driven presentations.
Join Sam Edelman and Robert D'Loren on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at Licensing Expo for the Opening Keynote as they share their experience and insights on the power of brand extension to build their fashion empire.
"I am honored to be speaking at Licensing Expo this year and to have the opportunity to share my experience and insights with the industry. [...] Fashion is such an important category for licensed consumer products, and I am excited to be a part of this conversation at Licensing Expo." Sam Edelman, Founder & President, Sam Edelman
Founder & President, Sam Edelman
Creative visionary and legend in the footwear industry, Sam Edelman has been a dominant force in fashion and marketing, making an indelible impact on some of the most renowned contemporary footwear brands over the past 40 years. He has made significant contributions to companies such as Candies with an executive role as assistant to the president and as a co-founder of Kenneth Cole.
A visionary and pioneer in contemporary fashion, Sam Edelman interprets the changing landscape of today to deliver irreverent, aspirational, and trend-on style for tomorrow. With 4 retail stores across the U.S., in premiere locations including Soho and Beverly Hills, Sam Edelman continues to expand its international presences, in cities from Hong Kong to Dubai.
CEO & Chairman, Xcel Brands
Bob D’Loren’s visionary work among consumer products companies includes the recapitalization and restructure of Candie’s Shoes, Inc. and subsequent formation and rebranding into Iconix Brand Group, Inc. Some but not all of the Iconix Brand Group, Inc. brands included: Candie’s, Bongo, Joe Boxer, Badgley Mischka, Rampage, MUDD and Mossimo.
As Chairman and CEO of Xcel Brands, which owns the Isaac Mizrahi, Judith Ripka, H Halston, C Wonder and Highline Collective brands. Xcel Brands is a leading consumer products company with over $700 million in retail sales as its brands through an Omni-channel distribution platform that includes interactive TV, bricks and mortar and e-commerce.
Federico San Martin, Head of Consumer Products for Minecraft, and Matias Infante, Vice President of Brand Partnerships, Collaborations & Licensing at Crocs, will discuss their journeys in brand development, approach to licensing partnerships and the licensing program they launched together.
"As we continue to grow the Minecraft brand through category and territory expansion, the fashion space will continue to play an integral role. Partnering with a powerhouse brand such as Crocs allows us to meet the demands of gamer and fashion fans alike, as well as tap into a broader potential fanbase."
Federico San Martin, Head of Consumer Products, Minecraft
"“At Crocs, we seek partners that truly connect and engage with their fans. It was only right that we partner with Minecraft – a leader in gaming with a loyal and energetic fanbase. We both understand the importance of connecting the digital and physical worlds, from shoes to the metaverse. Through a cohesive strategy, we brought together elevated product design, a worldwide gaming property and strong co-promotion. I am excited to share our collective learnings at the Licensing Expo".
Matias Infante, Vice President of Brand Partnerships, Collaborations & Licensing, Crocs
Global Head of Consumer Products
Minecraft
Federico "Fed" San Martin is a global consumer products and licensing executive who joined Mojang Studios' Minecraft as the Global Head of Consumer Products in January 2021. He has doubled the Minecraft licensing business in two years, with over 150 partners worldwide in various categories. San Martin has extensive experience in sales and marketing, having held leadership roles at The Jim Henson Company, DreamWorks Animation, and Arrow Licensing. He has also worked at Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Mattel, Inc., and Equity Marketing. San Martin holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University.
Make room on your calendars to take part in peer-to-peer connection, networking, and deal-making opportunities and find out how you can search for and discover the latest IPs at Licensing Expo 2023.