By Allison Watkinson
TLL Reporter
Licensing International has announced the six licensing professionals that will receive the 2022 Rising Star Award.
The Rising Star Award from Licensing International celebrates the contributions of young professionals that work in the international brand licensing industry. To be eligible for the peer-nominated award, candidates must be a maximum of 35 years-old, have between three to seven years of experience in the industry, and demonstrate exceptional skills in their licensing position.
The winners of the 2022 Rising Star Award are:
Tetiana Ruban, CEO of Nerd Agency
Tetiana Ruban has held the position of CEO at the Ukraine-based Nerd Agency since 2020. During that time, Ruban has played a major role in closing licensing deals, acquiring brands, and hiring other industry professionals.
Despite the current war in Ukraine and the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Nerd Agency has successfully launched dozens of licensed products, acquired new properties, secured licensing deals, and developed an international presence.
Additionally, Ruban was the idea author and general producer of the licensed charity brand Call me Ukraine. Tetiana holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in International Economics from Kyiv National Economics University.
Julia Cruse, Senior Manager, Licensing at Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products
Based in the U.S, Julia Cruse oversees licensees and business across the HGTV, Food Network, and Animal Planet brands and sub-brands on behalf of Warner Bros. Discovery. In addition, Cruse manages licensees across the toy, home, QSR, and food categories. She is also responsible for maintaining existing business relationships with retail licensees.
Cruse began her career at Iconix Brand Group, where she worked with character brands such as Peanuts and Strawberry Shortcake for licensees across the toy, gift, and seasonal categories.
Jimmy Lee, Licensing Director at Semk Holdings International
Based in China, Jimmy Lee is currently in charge of Semk’s LBE business, where he focuses on implementing new licensing strategies for its character IPs and the licensing market.
Lee originally joined Semk Global Marketing in 2017 and was responsible for licensing events and themed parks in the Mainland China market. He has also developed a number of cultural and tourism licensing and F&B projects throughout his career.
He studied at the University of Hull where he received a Master’s Degree in Strategic Brand Management.
Melanie Kaplan, Licensing Manager at Sesame Workshop
Based in the U.S., Melanie Kaplan is a licensing manager at Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit media and educational organization behind Sesame Street. Since 2020, Kaplan has managed the customization and print-on-demand business for the nonprofit organization.
She is also responsible for overseeing the marketing and product development across a variety of categories in North America including apparel, accessories, footwear, health and beauty, food, and infant.
Melanie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Media Management from The State University of New York at New Paltz. Prior to joining Sesame Workshop, she worked in merchandising at Marvel Entertainment.
Arianna Marks, Deputy General Counsel at Beanstalk
Based in the U.S., Arianna Marks is responsible for representing Beanstalk’s celebrity and corporate clients in all legal matters relating to brand equity and extension. Marks also enforces and protects the intellectual property rights for Beanstalk’s clients.
Arianna leads negotiations and drafts international commercial agreements for licenses, publishing, sponsorship, marketing, vendors, products, eCommerce and advertising for the brand extension agency. In addition, Marks works alongside the agency’s legal and business teams on both short-term and long-range strategic planning to grow Beanstalk’s domestic and international presence.
Arianna originally began her career at Beanstalk in 2018. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Government and Politics at the University of Maryland and her Juris Doctor from the New York Law School.
Zach Fiegel, Director of Global Partnerships and Media at NBA
Based in the U.S., Zach Fiegel began his licensing career in 2015 with his work as a coordinator for the NBA’s global merchandising business. Fiegel is currently part of the team that manages the NBA’s global merchandising partnerships in the apparel, headwear, basketball, and eCommerce categories.
Zach works with licensing partners such as Nike, New Era, Fanatics, Mitchell & Ness, and more to expand the NBA’s international merchandise programs. Zach graduated from Northern Illinois University in 2014 where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Finance, and Social Entrepreneurship.
“We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on the talented young professionals who will become the future leaders of our global brand licensing community,” said Maura Regan, President of Licensing International. “Licensing International would also like to say a huge thank you to our Rising Stars committee members, who have the difficult task of selecting among the best of the best.”
This year’s Rising Stars will be honored during the Hall of Fame Induction and Rising Star Awards Ceremony Dec. 7 at the Gotham Hall in New York City. The event is a fundraiser for Licensing International’s Scholarship Program and supports the LI Foundation in its mission to inspire the next generation of global licensing professionals. Registration for the event is currently available online.