Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
April 29, 2026
Licensing Show Highlights E-Commerce and Emotional Economy Trends
TLDR
- HKTDC's Licensing Show offers a new IP and e-commerce zone to help SMEs gain global market advantage.
- The show featured 330 exhibitors, 600 brands, and workshops on digital marketing and livestream commerce.
- Licensing expands into emotional economy, creating IPs that resonate personally and improve cultural exchange.
- Non-traditional toys like Fugglers, with 'ugly-cute' designs, highlight the rise of the emotion economy.
Impact - Why it Matters
This news matters because it reveals how the licensing industry is evolving beyond traditional character merchandising into e-commerce, location-based entertainment, and emotional engagement. For businesses and creators, understanding these trends is crucial for tapping into new revenue streams and global markets. The emphasis on e-commerce support for SMEs offers practical pathways for small brands to scale internationally, while the focus on emotional economy shows that consumer affinity drives long-term value. As licensing expands into food, beverage, and cultural tourism, companies can leverage these insights to build deeper connections with audiences and stay competitive in a rapidly changing market.
Summary
The recent Hong Kong International Licensing Show and Asian Licensing Conference, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded on April 29, 2026, drawing over 330 exhibitors and more than 600 brands. The event highlighted key licensing trends including e-commerce, location-based entertainment, and the emotional economy. A new IP and e-Commerce Support Services Zone was introduced, featuring workshops on digital marketing and livestream commerce to help SMEs sell IP products globally. Jenny Koo, Deputy Executive Director of HKTDC, emphasized Hong Kong's role as a regional IP trading hub under the 15th Five-Year Plan, noting the expansion of licensing into diverse fields. The Asian Licensing Conference featured experts like George Wood of The Luna Entertainment Group, who discussed location-based entertainment's reliance on audience affection, and Mark Kingston of Libertas Brands Ltd, who highlighted the emotional economy through brands like Fugglers. The Chinese Mainland Pavilion showcased over 150 institutions, including museums like Guangdong Museum and Nanjing Museum, with IPs such as Nailoong making their debut. Several MoUs were signed, including one between the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau and HKTDC to promote cultural IP commercialization. The event also featured the DLAB Hong Kong Pavilion with nearly 40 exhibitors, where designers like Kirsten Lie secured overseas partnership opportunities. The HKTDC continues to strengthen Hong Kong's position as an international licensing hub.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by NewMediaWire. Read the original source here, Licensing Show Highlights E-Commerce and Emotional Economy Trends
