The conversation around Saudi Arabia’s licensing industry is undergoing a significant transformation, moving from attracting international brands to exporting its own. Fueled by a strategic push to build a robust creative economy, the Kingdom is now focused on how its homegrown brands can achieve international success.
This pivotal shift was the central theme at the inaugural Licensing Horizons Riyadh 2025, an event organized by BBM Licensing and BrandTrends, with support from Licensing International. The forum gathered global and regional leaders to map out how licensing can serve as a strategic tool for Saudi companies to gain global visibility, diversify revenue, and bolster the nation’s creative exports.
A New Era For Saudi Brands
Underpinned by Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification and investment in cultural industries have created a fertile environment for brand development. The Kingdom’s young, digitally-native population and rising purchasing power are not only making it a priority market for global IP holders but are also nurturing a new generation of local brands with international potential.
Sectors like fashion, food and beverage, hospitality, and digital entertainment are seeing a rise in authentic Saudi concepts that meet global quality standards. Industry experts at the Riyadh forum noted that this maturity in local creative industries is laying the essential groundwork for a new wave of Saudi cultural exports.
The Blueprint For Global Expansion
For Saudi brands to successfully transition from regional recognition to global players, a coordinated strategy is required. Panelists at Licensing Horizons identified several critical areas for development.
First, establishing robust intellectual property readiness is paramount. This involves strengthening trademark protection across all target international territories to secure partnerships. Second, building strategic alliances with experienced licensing agents, distributors, and retailers is essential for navigating foreign markets. Finally, mastering cultural translation—adapting narratives and messaging for diverse audiences while maintaining brand authenticity—is key to resonating with global consumers.
Learning From Global Success Stories
Speakers drew parallels with markets like Japan and South Korea, where national creativity evolved into multi-billion dollar global industries through sophisticated licensing systems. In these nations, cultural products such as animation, music, and fashion became major exports because licensing provided a structured commercial ecosystem with consistent standards and international reach.
Saudi Arabia is well-positioned to follow a similar trajectory. By professionalizing its licensing operations and investing in legal and managerial capabilities, the Kingdom can empower its brands to view their intellectual property as both a cultural and a powerful commercial asset on the world stage.
Collaboration As The Core Catalyst
The collaborative spirit of Licensing Horizons Riyadh 2025 underscored the importance of partnerships in accelerating growth. The involvement of key players like Spacetoon, INCUBASE Studio, Animotion Media Group, and Like Nastya showcased how cooperation between regional and international entities can fast-track knowledge exchange and implementation.
The participation of Licensing International provided a global framework and best practices, helping to integrate the Saudi market into the broader professional landscape and move the discussion from theory to actionable strategies.
About Licensing Horizons
Licensing Horizons is a premier forum dedicated to exploring the future of the brand licensing industry. Organized by BBM Licensing and BrandTrends with the support of Licensing International, the event brings together global and regional leaders, brand owners, and industry experts. Its mission is to foster collaboration, share data-driven insights, and shape the strategic direction for licensing growth in emerging markets like Saudi Arabia.
Source: GCC Startup News
