By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
The veteran legal and licensing expert Marc Schwartz was welcomed to the board of the Society of Product Licensors Committed to Excellence (SPLiCE).
Schwartz is the Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel of Bob Mackie Design Group, famous as the designer for the brightest stars in Hollywood and beyond. Mackie was also the costume designer for all the performers on The Carol Burnett Show during its entire 11-year run. For his work, Mackie has received nine Primetime Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, and three nominations for the Academy Award for Best Costume Design.
However, it was bringing Hollywood glamour to consumers that made Bob Mackie a household name and major force in the world of licensing and retail.
Schwartz was elected for a two-year term, adding to his responsibilities as the organization’s Legal Benchmark Leader.
“SPLiCE is an incredible organization that embraces best practice collaboration at every level,” said Kimberly Kociencki, SPLiCE CEO. “Our Board of Directors are global licensing experts that lead our success within SPLiCE at every level including events, benchmarking, strategic vision, and camaraderie.
“It is an honor and pleasure to serve the Board and our membership in my position. We look forward to Marc’s leadership as a Board Director, we are fortunate to have him join us.”
SPLiCE is a trade organization founded as a best practice think-tank for trademark brand licensors, and represents many of the world’s largest licensors, which combined account for roughly 20% of the Dow Jones.
The organization’s vision and mandate is to continuously improve the brand licensing industry by encouraging best practices for brand integrity. Schwartz is seen as a key member of the board, as SPLiCE also has a major legal component to its activities. For example, SPLiCE is currently intervening in a critical legal case in New Mexico that threatens the legal underpinning of the brand licensing industry. (See TLL’s exclusive feature below)
TLL Exclusive: SPLiCE Says Landmark Ruling An Existential Threat to Licensing Industry
SPLiCE also sponsors benchmark studies to identify best-in-class industry practices, including anti-counterfeiting, brand licensing valuation, environmental sustainability, finance & royalty collections, food licensing, legal & contractual templates, marketing and business development, product regulatory compliance, social accountability, and technology & IP licensing.
As COO of Bob Mackie, Schwartz oversees all aspects of the BMDG consumer products business, which includes fashion apparel and accessories, beauty and wellness, home furnishings, and entertainment-related goods.
Along with the CPG responsibilities, Schwartz oversees operations, marketing, finance, and legal aspects of BMDG business. During his tenure, Schwartz has built multiyear partnerships, joint ventures, and collaborations with privately held and public companies including Mattel, Sony Entertainment, La-Z-Boy, Quarate/QVC, and Gucci. Bob Mackie Design Group is a New York City and Los Angeles based, design, and licensing (trademark and copyright) business.
Schwartz joins the existing Board of Directors, who include Jose Barrios, Business Development Manager, IP Sales & Licensing at HP Inc.; Linne Kimball, Vice President, Strategic Partnerships at The Life is Good Company; Cindy Slocki, Hardlines Lead, North America, and Global Licensing Partnerships at Mattel Inc.; Rob Johnson, Senior Manager, Brand Licensing at McCormick & Company; Scott Goodfellow, Director of Trademark Licensing, Global Business Development, The Procter & Gamble Company; Manny Grace, Associate General Counsel at The Walt Disney Company; John Larson, Senior Manager, Food Licensing at The Coca-Cola Company; Karen Tiongson, Vice President, Social Responsibility Program, Legal at NBCUniversal; and Kimberly Kociencki, CEO at SPLiCE.
Board Officers include Chairman Jose Barrios, Chair Elect Karen Tiongson, Linne Kimball Treasurer, and Secretary Scott Goodfellow.
SPLiCE will be unveiling its 2023 event schedule, stay tuned for details!