We delve into the licensing life of Jazwares’ senior director of licensing and retail.
Sam Ferguson,
Senior Director of Licensing & Retail, Jazwares
My route into the licensing industry went something like this…
I started working for Jonathan Sieff via a very random project, but quickly realised I wanted to be involved within the licensing side of Global Brands Group – the big attraction was to work on the 2010 World Cup, also maybe the attraction of working on Loaded and Nuts magazines. Working at GBG was awesome – I was surrounded by a number of incredibly experienced colleagues, all who continue to help and support me to this day. I was also given a great opportunity to grow quickly within the industry via some huge brands.
How many years in the industry?
10
When I was growing up, I had no idea licensing was an industry so I wanted to be…
No BS, I genuinely wanted to be a fireman, and long story short, I didn’t get in as I failed the eye test.
The deal I am most proud of is…
Having been an agent twice and a licensor, I have covered many, many weird and wonderful categories. People who have worked with me know I am very proud of my Fairy liquid sponge deal and also a shout out to Dave Tovey who between us licensed Moshi Satsumas for Tesco (Katsuma Satsuma).
My most interesting experience in licensing has been…
One word, Vegas.
The best piece of advice I’ve ever received is…
If a deal is too good to be true, it’s probably too good and will fail (Ciarán Coyle while I was at Beanstalk).
If I wasn’t in licensing, I would be…
Well I was a postman for 24 hours, so who knows…
Who do you admire most in the industry (and why)?
I wouldn’t want to single out any one person, but I have huge respect for anyone that goes it alone and sets up an agency. I love that life changing moment when people realise they have something special on their hands.
In a film of your life, which licensed character would play you?
With the lack of licensed characters with grey hair, I am going for Michelangelo from the Turtles. Fun loving but still gets the job done, and also I was a huge TMNT fan as a kid.
If I could change anything about the industry, it would be…
Industry standard commercial terms.
