Working with Licensing Agents & Consultants

Joined LIMA this year after 12 years as Executive Editor of The Licensing Letter, a New York-based newsletter that covers the global licensing business. He also was Editorial Director of the parent publishing company, EPM Communications.  In addition to writing and editing the twice-monthly newsletter, he also compiled the publication’s industry numbers and edited EPM’s other licensing-related publications, including the 5th Edition of International Licensing: A Status Report, and the second edition of The Licensing Letter’s Sports Licensing Report, both published earlier this year.

A well-established veteran of the design industry, Cruise has directed her company to be one of the top licensing agencies in the country, featuring many highly acclaimed artists. Cruise Creative proudly represents top selling artists for companies such as Leanin’ Tree, Manual Woodworkers & Weavers, Crazy Mountain, Midwest of Canon Falls, and Pure Country Weavers, just to name a few.”

Gateway Licensing is a licensing consulting company who’s mission is to foster the sales, image and profitable growth of its client companies through strategic marketing and licensing partnerships.  Val is classically marketing trained and managed major consumer brands at Bristol-Myers, Playtex, Carter Wallace and Squibb. Over the past 25 years he has successfully negotiated and managed over 500 license agreements.

Fowler was one of the first agents to emerge as a licensing specialist within the mobile and digital entertainment space. His expertise covers traditional consumer products licensing to new media entertainment strategy. Fowler was previously the London-based President of video game publisher 3DO Europe Ltd., and Executive Vice-President of 3DO’s US operation.  As President of The Licensing Shop Inc., Fowler is passionate, enthusiastic and proud of the company’s accomplishments and contributions to the industry.  Managing brands such as Sesame Street, Pokémon, Star Trek, CSI, Harley Pasternak and 5-Factor, we have created unique and highly successful licensing and promotional campaigns that have garnered awards and total client satisfaction.

Mark is responsible for managing senior level relationships and developing strategic licensing plans for IMC Licensing’s clients and licensees. He has over 20 years of agency experience for a diverse portfolio of brands across various categories and channels of distribution with clients including Procter & Gamble, M&M Mars, ConAgra, Thomasville Furniture, Hanes and Hanes Her Way, Skoal, Dairy Queen and Long John Silver’s. Before joining IMC, he was Vice President, Group Director of Client Services for Creative Alliance. Prior to Creative Alliance, he worked for other top advertising agencies including Paul Schultz, Doe Anderson, Long Haymes Carr LINTAS and D’Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles.

A specialist in licensing, partnership marketing, and strategic alliances, Stuart is an expert in analyzing, crafting and securing partners for clients such as Unilever, eBay, Unicef and Royal Doulton.   His extensive first-hand knowledge of the industry and skills as a negotiator were developed while managing the licensing for Yves Saint Laurent of America and at the DC Comic’s division of Warner Bros.   He is a board member of the Licensing Industry Merchandisers Association (LIMA) and also a member of the LIMA’s executive committee.