We delve into the licensing life of the Royal Horticultural Society’s licensing manager.
Cathy Snow,
Licensing Manager, Royal Horticultural Society
My route into the licensing industry went something like this…
A number of years spent in the financial services industry in the IT department finally led me to a career in sales and marketing for an international pharmaceutical company. 10 years ago I moved into the third sector managing the trading part of the fundraising division for a large animal welfare organisation. As the role grew, I then specialised in managing the licensing programme. I moved to RHS to develop their licensing programme at the beginning of 2015.
How many years in the industry?
10 years.
When I was growing up, I had no idea licensing was an industry so I wanted to be…
Living in America, married to Paul Michael Glaser (Starsky), driving a 2-seater convertible with an Old English Sheepdog in the passenger seat.
The deal I am most proud of is…
Signing a prestigious greeting card and gifting deal with one of the UK’s biggest publishers that will be announced early 2016.
My most interesting experience in licensing has been…
Where I am now. I will be knee deep in compost one day, then looking at beautifully decorated fine bone china products the next. Learning how each of our licensees plans, develops and manufactures their products is enlightening. So meeting licensees and understanding the manufacturing process are the most interesting experiences to me.
The best piece of advice I’ve ever received is…
Always re-read an email before sending.
If I wasn’t in licensing, I would be…
Selling my husband’s ‘The Chilli Snowman’ range of sauces.
Who do you admire most in the industry (and why)?
I admire the licensees who think outside the box when they develop products and the designers who make their ideas/products come alive.
In a film of your life, which licensed character would play you?
Danger Mouse. My licensing exec (Shereen Llewellin) at RHS is my perfect Penfold.
If I could change anything about the industry, it would be…
To not have to explain to anyone that asks what you do for a living what ‘licensing’ is…
