Licensing International is partnering with London-based nonprofit The Light Fund to develop a series of new networking events for young consumer products professionals in the UK.

The orgs’ first Coffee & Connect session will take place on August 1 at Paramount’s London office, with LoveLove Films’ managing director Georgina Hurcombe and studio manager George Caton-Coult featured as guest speakers. Drawing from their experience developing CG-animated preschool series Pop Paper City (2022, pictured), they will outline the process of creating a new animated series, including concept development, funding, scripting and sales.

The Light Fund and LI’s young professional network committee have more ideas in the pipeline, and future Coffee & Connect events might cover strategy, creative, manufacturing and retail. Steve Manners, LI’s head of global marketing and UK managing director, says now is the right time to launch this initiative because younger industry members are keen to deepen their understanding of the licensing landscape in new ways. 

All proceeds from Coffee & Connect ticket sales (US$25 a person) will go to The Light Fund to fund charity projects across the UK. Since its inception in 2004, the nonprofit has raised more than US$2.5 million for beneficiaries such as Acorn Children’s Hospice, Whizz-Kidz, Dogs for Good and Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity.