The Private Label Manufacturers Association recently released the results of a survey that indicated that a growing number of consumers are more comfortable with and accepting of private-label merchandise.

This month's License! Global marks a significant milestone, as we bring you our "10th Annual Leading Licensing Companies" issue. When we first introduced the Leading Licensors (the feature's former name), in April 1998, we were overwhelmed with requests for extra issues. Every year since then, April has become our most requested issue of the year. While we increase the press runs each year, we never seem to be able to keep this issue in stock.

Brand managers and retailers constantly are exhorted to "establish an emotional connection with the consumer." But is that really happening? I found a brand experience recently related to me by License! Global Senior Associate Editor Regina Molaro to be particularly disturbing.

Last month, this column promised you bigger and better changes, so here's the news you've been awaiting...drum roll, please...

U.S retail sales rose 3.4 percent in the two days after Thanksgiving.

Have you ever played with LEGO? Statistically speaking you probably have. After all, on average every person on earth has 52 LEGO bricks. It is one of the most popular and traditional toys in the world but how does it compete with a modern toy industry influenced by technology and the internet? We were lucky enough to spend time with LEGO's CEO, Jorgen Vig Knudstorp, who answered questions like this and told us where licensing fits into the company's strategy.

Kids under the age of 5 today are the first true Internet generation.

News travels fast in our industry (and I'm the first to say, "With the advent of the Internet, there are no trade secrets."), so I guess this will serve as the "official" announcement of my spontaneous vows to my boyfriend (now husband), Michael Garippa (top, right).

Editor's Letter More than swimwear ... Jun 1, 2006 By: Sam Phillips

In our interview this month, Andy Rubin (whose company, Pentland, owns Speedo, Red or Dead, Mitre and others) reinforces how important it is to think about the consumer and how you can extend your brand to offer the consumer new products specifically suited to their lifestyle. He also talks about the privilege of owning brands, and the challenge of achieving the best presentation at retail.