Licensing Expo Opening Keynote Explores the Future of Gaming

LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / April 17, 2024 / Licensing Expo, the world's leading event dedicated to licensing, brand extension and collaborations, announces today the opening keynote presentation under the event theme "Brands at Play." Taking place May 21-23 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, Licensing Expo brings together thousands of leading retailers, manufacturers and marketers to connect, identify future trends and secure consumer product deals with the world's most influential brands.

Roughly 48% of the global population consider themselves either casual or active gamers. With mobile gaming capturing more players than ever before, the video game segment is building a community of billions. It is now a foregone conclusion that gaming is the next major category for consumer products growth. This opening keynote panel, "Video Games: Driving Billions to Play," explores the "why" behind gaming's massive growth in popularity, what gamers look for in a brand and how the next franchise model will lead with video games, either from brand-new IP or the revival of heritage titles.

Panelists include Nick McWhorter, Director of Global Licensing, CD Projekt Red; Doug Rosen, Senior Vice President, Games and Emerging Media, Paramount; Maya Rogers, CEO, Tetris;  and Ivo Gerscovich, Chief Business and Brand Officer, SEGA of America; moderated by License Global's own Ben Roberts, Content Director, a part of the Global Licensing Group. 

Foto: Accesswire

Nick McWhorter, Director of Global Licensing at CD Projekt Red, is renowned for growing global brand successes like The Witcher and Cyberpunk in merchandise and pop culture space. Prior, McWhorter worked with Dark Horse Comics for 16 years, where he managed licensed publications and products based on intellectual property (IP) from studios, animation, video games and more.

Doug Rosen is Senior Vice President, Global Games & Emerging Media at Paramount. In this role, Rosen oversees Paramount's global games business and is responsible for the commercialization of emerging technologies including AR, VR and virtual worlds. This includes business development, creative development, marketing and production of games and experiences on all platforms including mobile, console, PC, UEFN and Roblox.

Ivo Gerscovich, Chief Business and Brand Officer at SEGA of America, has transformed the Sonic the Hedgehog video game brand into a top transmedia franchise, and built a rapidly growing, award-winning team, including being named one of Variety's Entertainment Gaming Leaders. Gerscovich's prior experience includes with companies such as Paramount Pictures and Vivendi Games.