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Program 2026

Two days packed with brands, trends, inspiration and plenty of entertainment. At “The Stage”, powered by Licensing International Germany, the industry’s most exciting minds come together to discuss the issues that really matter to brands today. The “Collab Culture Lounge” is a strategic space for exchange. It offers in-depth discussions rather than small talk, fresh perspectives rather than conventional wisdom, moderated discussions and unexpected insights. It provides input that goes beyond existing horizons, whatever your skill level.

The focus is on three major themes:
Brands, Fans & Audiences | Licensing & Collabs | Brands @ Retail

But BRANDmania is more than just a stage and business.

Look forward to the grand mascot parade, many exhibitor events and, of course, the legendary evening party, where the industry comes together to celebrate, dance and forge the best connections.

Download the program schedule
  • All events
  • Tuesday
  • Wednesday
  • Thursday
  • Exhibitor events
  • Collab Culture Lounge
  • The Stage
    • 24. kesäkuutaWednesdayThe Stage

    Opening of BRANDmania 2026

    The official kick-off of BRANDmania 2026.
    Katrin Störr (Head of BRANDmania)
    09:45 - 10:00
    The Stage 
    Event details
    24. kesäkuutaWednesdayThe Stage

    Global Licensing Study 2026 - The latest data, trends and insights

    Petra Strobl presents the key findings of Licensing International’s “Global Licensing Industry Study”, offering insights into global market trends and the German licensing market.
    Petra Strobl (Managing Director, Licensing International Germany)
    10:00 - 10:30
    The Stage 
    Event details
    24. kesäkuutaWednesdayThe Stage

    Retail Trends – What’s coming, what’s going, what’s here to stay – worldwide. From mega trends to retail formats

    The most exciting retail concepts from around the world – how megatrends are shaping the shopping experience at the point of sale. Retail logic, presentation – outlook: what’s coming, what’s here to stay, and what’s on the way out.
    Silvia Talmon (CEO & Globale Retail-Expert, The Retail Experience)
    10:30 - 11:00
    The Stage 
    Event details
    24. kesäkuutaWednesdayThe Stage

    Live Matchmaking – DUOLINGO is looking for the perfect match

    blindmate® – the legendary live matchmaking format from die Markenkuppler.
    Melissa Lohmann (die MarkenKuppler)
    11:00 - 11:30
    The Stage 
    Event details
    24. kesäkuutaWednesdayThe Stage

    The Gamification of Life – How brands and retailers can capitalise on the gaming craze

    Insights into gamification in brand management and retail.
    Carol Rapp (Managing Director, SPIEL Essen) & Sven Siemen (Marketing Director, ASAP Gaming)
    14:00 - 14:30
    The Stage 
    Event details
    24. kesäkuutaWednesdayThe Stage

    Finally understanding Gen Z — facts rather than stereotypes from the largest long-term study of young people

    What really shapes Gen Z: coping with a sense of loss of control, self-image versus public perception – and what this means for businesses and brands.
    Ines Imdahl (Founder, rheingold Salon)
    14:30 - 15:00
    The Stage 
    Event details
    24. kesäkuutaWednesdayThe Stage

    The Audio Revolution: Thriving audio worlds instead of screen fatigue – How brands and IPs are successfully translating their brand experiences into audio formats

    Audio is booming – yet it remains the biggest untapped opportunity for brand owners and the licensing industry. Find out how the audio market works, where it’s heading – and why licensed brands should act now.
    Martin Kurzhals (CEO & Co-Founder, tigermedia)
    15:00 - 15:30
    The Stage 
    Event details
    25. kesäkuutaThursdayThe Stage

    The Age of Kidults – From Nerd Culture to the Mainstream: Huge Potential, Concrete Strategies – How the Retail Sector Can Benefit

    Kidults as a driver of growth – strategies and lessons learnt from real-world experience.
    Jasmin D. Karatas (Author & Thought Leader, Play x Strategy x Culture) & Alexander Lapeta (CEO, Elbenwald)
    10:00 - 10:30
    The Stage 
    Event details
    25. kesäkuutaThursdayThe Stage

    FEARLESS & FUN: Cultural relevance meets social-first – the formula for global communities

    Essence’s "social-first" success story: how trends are consistently incorporated into product development and communications, the integration of communications and product development – and why the brand’s own content creation studio, studio_c, makes all the difference.
    Isabelle Tambue (Chief Brand Officer, ESSENCE) & Bülent Özdemir (Director, ESSENCE)
    10:30 - 11:00
    The Stage 
    Event details
    25. kesäkuutaThursdayThe Stage

    Collabs that kick ass and blow your mind!

    Why do collaborations work? Why are some pragmatic and predictable, whilst others are unusual and celebrated?
    Eva Stemmer & Jörg Meister (CEOs, Collab Culture, little big things)
    11:00 - 11:30
    The Stage 
    Event details