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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 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 and, of course, the legendary evening party, where the industry comes together to celebrate, dance and forge the best connections.

  • All events
  • Wednesday
  • Thursday
  • BRANDmania The Stage
  • Deep Dive Lounge by Collab Culture
    • 24. 6월BRANDmania The StageWednesday Katrin Störr (Head of BRANDmania)

    Opening of BRANDmania 2026

    The official kick-off of BRANDmania 2026.
    09:45 - 10:00
    BRANDmania The Stage 
    24. 6월BRANDmania The StageWednesday Petra Strobl (Licensing International Germany)

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

    What’s selling where? The top-line results: retail sales, trends, trend radar – with a focus on the German market.
    10:00 - 10:30
    BRANDmania The Stage 
    24. 6월BRANDmania The StageWednesday Silvia Talmon (The Retail Experience)

    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.
    10:30 - 11:00
    BRANDmania The Stage 
    24. 6월BRANDmania The StageWednesday die Markenkuppler

    Live Matchmaking – Duolingo is looking for the perfect match

    BLINDMATE – the legendary live matchmaking format from die Markenkuppler.
    11:00 - 11:30
    BRANDmania The Stage 
    24. 6월BRANDmania The StageWednesday Carol Rapp (SPIEL Essen) & Sven Siemen (WASD Media)

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

    Insights into gamification in brand management and retail.
    14:00 - 14:30
    BRANDmania The Stage 
    24. 6월BRANDmania The StageWednesday Ines Imdahl (rheingold Salon)

    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.
    14:30 - 15:00
    BRANDmania The Stage 
    24. 6월BRANDmania The StageWednesday Speaker (tba)

    Time slot (tba)

    To be announced shortly.
    15:00 - 15:30
    BRANDmania The Stage 
    25. 6월BRANDmania The StageThursday Jasmin D. Karatas & Alexander Lapeta (Elbenwald)

    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.
    10:00 - 10:30
    BRANDmania The Stage 
    25. 6월BRANDmania The StageThursday Isabelle Tambue & Bülent Özdemir (ESSENCE)

    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.
    10:30 - 11:00
    BRANDmania The Stage 
    25. 6월BRANDmania The StageThursday Speaker (tba)

    Time slot (tba)

    To be announced shortly.
    11:00 - 11:30
    BRANDmania The Stage