Licensing International announced the winners of the 2026 Licensing International Excellence Awards, celebrating the companies, collaborations, and brand extensions setting the standard for excellence across the global brand licensing industry.
The ceremony took place just ahead of Licensing Expo, the industry’s largest global event dedicated to licensing and brand extension, which runs May 19–21 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
The Excellence Awards honor the professionals that made powerful connections with consumers and transformed intellectual property into compelling products, services, and experiences. The awards also reflect the evolving industry, recognizing visionary retailers that bring brands to life through standout merchandising and consumer engagement.
Presented by sponsors Alifish and Flowhaven, this year’s winners were selected from 223 finalists across 35 categories. More than 800 submissions were reviewed by a global judging panel that included 300 judges from 20 countries. Returning for its third year, the Members’ Choice Award invited Licensing International members to vote for a collaboration in any category that extended a brand in an unexpected and innovative manner.
“The winners of this year’s Excellence Awards reflect the depth, creativity, and significant business impact of the global licensing community,” said Maura Regan, President of Licensing International. “Across categories and markets, these honorees demonstrate how strong partnerships and thoughtful brand extensions build meaningful connections with consumers while driving sustained growth for the industry.”
The 2026 Licensing International Excellence Awards winners are:
- Best Animated Brand: Bluey – BBC Studios, Ludo Studios
- Best Art, Design, or Museum Brand: New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) (Jewel Branding & Licensing)
- Best Corporate Brand: Kodak – Kodak Ltd
- Best Fashion or Lifestyle Brand: Laura Ashley – Marquee Brands
- Best Food, Beverage, or Restaurant Brand: 7-Eleven (The Brand Liaison)
- Best Interactive or Digital Brand: Tetris
- Best Live Action Brand: The White Lotus – Warner Bros Discovery
- Best Music Artist or Celebrity Brand: Dolly Parton – Speckled Bird Productions (IMG)
- Best Publishing, Stationery, or Social Expression Brand: Moomin – Moomin Characters Ltd (Rights & Brands)
- Best Sports, eSports, or Collegiate Brand: NASCAR
- Best Toy Brand: The Monsters – POP MART
- Best Apparel, Accessories, or Footwear Product for Corporate Brands: Converse – Coca-Cola Chuck Taylor Allstars
- Best Apparel, Accessories, or Footwear Product for Entertainment Brands: Casio Computer Co. – Stranger Things Watch
- Best Appliance, Automotive, or Electronic Product for Corporate Brands: RETO Production Ltd. – KODAK Charmera Keychain Digital Camera
- Best Appliance, Automotive, or Electronic Product for Entertainment Brands: CASETiFY x Sanrio Characters Collection (Alifish)
- Best Food or Beverage Product for Corporate Brands: Absolut Vodka – Tabasco (IMG)
- Best Food or Beverage Product for Entertainment Brands: Danone – Actimel Minecraft Yogurts (CAA Brand Management)
- Best Health & Beauty Product for Corporate Brands: Sephora – Tabasco Outrageous Plump Lip Gloss (IMG)
- Best Health & Beauty Product for Entertainment Brands: Ordo – Wicked: For Good Electric Toothbrush
- Best Home Décor or Homeware Product for Corporate Brands: Delta Children – babyGAP Nursery Furniture, Baby Gear & Soft Good Accessories (IMG)
- Best Home Décor or Homeware Product for Entertainment Brands: Le Creuset Group AG – Wicked: For Good Signature Round Dutch Oven
- Best Interactive or Digital Product: Tonies – Gabby’s Cat-tastic Scavenger Hunt
- Best Publishing, Social Expression, or Back-to-School Product: Penguin Random House – KPop Demon Hunters: For the Fans! Little Golden Book
- Best Toys, Games, Novelties, or Role Play (ages 0-8) Product: Spin Master – Gabby’s Dollhouse: Meowmazing Dollhouse
- Best Toys, Games, Novelties, or Role Play (ages 8+) Product: LEGO – Star Wars Death Star
- Best Accessories or Footwear Collaboration: Vans x KPop Demon Hunters
- Best Advertising Campaign Featuring a Licensed Brand: It’s Kahlunkin’ (Brandgenuity, Wieden+Kennedy London)
- Best Apparel Collaboration: Star Wars x Columbia
- Best Experiential or Location-Based Initiative: The Wizard of Oz at Sphere
- Best Hardlines or Packaged Goods Collaboration: The LEGO Group x Van Gogh Museum
- Best Licensed Promotion: Peanuts Starbucks Promotion
- Best Retailer for Corporate, Lifestyle, Fashion, or Sports Brands: Pull & Bear – Toyota Motor Corporation (Joester Loria Group)
- Best Retailer for Entertainment Brands: Spirit Halloween – KPop Demon Hunters
- Best Sustainability Initiative: Volvo Cars + Plaza Sésamo – Responsible Mobility Campaign
- Members Choice: alice + olivia x Ford (CAA Brand Management)
