Managing director of JELC, Jane Evans, is honoured with special accolade.
Having spent three decades working within the licensing industry, Jane Evans – managing director of agency JELC – was honoured as Brand Licensing Ambassador of the Year at the B&LLAs yesterday (Thursday, April 27).
The accolade recognised Jane’s contribution to the industry in a career that began at CPLG in 1987.
During a time in the industry, Jane has also held key roles at FilmFair as licensing director and as managing director of Beanstalk Europe. She established JELC with Janet Woodward in June 2003.
Jane was described by Max Publishing’s joint md, Jakki Brown, as having “an uncanny knack of totally understanding the essence of brands and then finding the right partners to translate this into innovative products that chime with consumer tastes”.
A clearly moved Jane told The Source: “I can’t believe that the industry has chosen to honour me in this way – to be the second winner of this award following Angela Ferrugia’s footsteps is truly surprising and humbling.
“The past 30 years has been the most exciting time of my life taking me across Europe to North America, Africa and the Far East discovering new markets and new opportunities.”
Jane thanked several important people who she said had helped her along the way.
“Firstly Mike Redfern of Blueprint who introduced me to Beanstalk and also to my first ever client as JELC, Withit.
“Secondly, Michael Stone of the Beanstalk Group who had the faith to appoint me as managing director of Beanstalk Europe when we opened their offices in the UK and taught me all about brand licensing.
“Thirdly, Janet Woodward, who I have known for 25 years and who agreed to be my business partner at JELC until her retirement from the industry late last year and with whom we secured some fantastic clients such as the National Gallery, Crimestoppers, Silentnight, Help for Heroes and Hinchcliffe & Barber.”
Jane continued: “This industry is so exciting, with every day being different to what you expect when you wake up and endless opportunities. After 30 years I can’t imagine doing anything else.
“Over the years I have met some wonderful and inspiring people from Coca-Cola to the National Gallery and can only say that this is an industry that embraces creativity and the opportunities that arise from it and I would recommend it to anyone.”
The Brand Licensing Ambassador of the Year award was sponsored by BrandComply.com.
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