Indian animation industry awaits brand licensing

Brand Licensing conference scheduled to be held on November 29 will explore the scope of animation and character licensing industry in India.

UK-based Linguaphone Group Head of Marketing Sarah Cole, who would participate in the conference said: "We are looking at the Indian character licensing industry in a big way and have aggressive plans to expand into India, to harness the potential that India beholds for non-core licensing."

Similar sentiments were echoed by the organiser of the event, Franchise India Holdings President Gaurav Marya said: "The Indian animation industry is growing rapidly with about 300 animation companies employing 12,000 people and 3,000 freelancers."

Animation and character licensing industry in India has a bright prospect due its large population and the vast majority of Indias $75-100 million in retail sales, that is from licensed merchandise in childrens properties, industry experts say.

Licensing industry worldwide is estimated at $187 billion. Retail sales of licensed merchandise in the US and Canada in 2007 reached $71.25 billion and that in Western Europe has been estimated to be worth in excess of $26 billion.