We delve into the licensing life of CPLG’s new global business development director, brands.
Libby Grant,
Global Business Development Director – Brands, CPLG
My route into the licensing industry went something like this…
My first job was licensing the Muppets at the Jim Henson company 16 years ago. I then ‘flirted’ with a career in the music industry for 4 years which strangely brought me back around to licensing so clearly it was where I was destined to be.
How many years in the industry?
16 years (if you don’t count my 4 year secondment to the music industry).
When I was growing up, I had no idea licensing was an industry so I wanted to be…
An astronaut, then an archaeologist and eventually a psychologist so licensing was a fairly natural transition.
The deal I am proudest of is…
Probably the Liberty Art Fabrics X Hello Kitty collaboration which among many other fabulous products Barbour applied to a range of children’s wear. I’ve since seen the collaboration featured in lots of presentations as an example of best practice and while other brands have done similar it’s always best to be the first.
My most interesting experience in licensing has been…
Probably a meeting with the senior directors at Tesco where I was pitching the Hello Kitty X Kiss collaboration. Half way through the phone rang and it was Gene Simmons who had agreed to help me sell in the concept. They didn’t believe it was him.
The best piece of advice I’ve ever received is…
My CEO at Ministry of Sound told me that the art of good business is not only knowing what to do, but also what not to do. I was privileged enough to work for J.K Rowling last year who takes a similar viewpoint and given what she’s achieved you can’t really argue with that philosophy.
If I wasn’t in licensing, I would be…
I have a romantic vision of running a tea shop somewhere in the countryside although I’m terrible at making cakes and only drink builders tea so I’m dubious as to how successful this would be.
Who do you admire most in the industry (and why)?
Those incredible women who are top of their game and have juggled a having a family with their career.
In a film of your life, which licensed character would play you?
She-Ra – I wanted to be her when I was growing up and obviously who wouldn’t want to carry a sword and ride a winged, talking unicorn?
If I could change anything about the industry, it would be…
I’d introduce a ‘gut instinct’ aisle at retail which only showcases product from new suppliers and lesser known brands just because it looks great and might just work. I’d also ban those 30-page colour PowerPoint print outs that I see so often – in a digital world I really feel we need to be saving more trees.
