Licensing International Announces 2024 Rising Star Award Recipients

The award ceremony will take place during the Hall of Fame Gala Luncheon in New York City on December 4th.

Licensing International has announced that eight licensing professionals will receive the 2024 Global Rising Star Award. For more than a decade, Rising Stars from around the world have been nominated by their peers and recognized for their contributions to, and passion for, the global brand licensing industry.

“Licensing International is thrilled to highlight the innovative young professionals who will become the future leaders of the global brand licensing industry,” said Maura Regan, President of Licensing International. “We are also incredibly thankful to our Rising Stars committee members, who had the difficult task of selecting our recipients from among the best of the best, and to our sponsor Mattel for their support.”

Mattel is the Champion-Level Sponsor of this year’s Global Rising Star Awards.

“Mattel is proud to be the Champion-Level Sponsor of the 2024 Licensing International Rising Star Award recipients, who are the future of brand licensing,” said Josh Silverman, Chief Franchise Officer at Mattel. “This award not only highlights the talented young professionals, but also recognizes their creativity, hard work, and remarkable achievements, and we can’t wait to see what they accomplish next.” 

This year’s Rising Stars will be honored during the Hall of Fame Induction and Global Rising Star Awards on December 4th, 2024, at 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 licensing professionals globally.

Registration for the event is available online.

The 2024 Rising Stars are:

Greg Carty, Licensing Manager at NFL Players Inc.   

Based in the U.S.
Greg Carty is Licensing Manager at NFL Players Inc., the marketing and licensing arm of the NFLPA, which manages the commercial rights of over 2,000 players, making it one of the largest licensors in the world. As a key member of the Consumer Products and Strategy group, he oversees a diverse portfolio of over 35 licensees, including brands like EA Sports, New Era, and Ubisoft, driving innovative player-branded consumer products across apparel, hardlines, and digital platforms. Since joining NFL Players Inc. in 2022, Greg has established himself as a transformative leader, pushing boundaries while championing diversity in the licensing industry.

Teresa Curtis, Senior Manager of Licensing & Business Development at Jay Franco and Sons Inc.

Based in the U.S.
Teresa Curtis unexpectedly found her way into the world of licensing in 2020 as a Coordinator, driving approvals for select Jay Franco partnerships, and rapidly developed a passion for the industry. A New York native and LIM College graduate, Teresa’s dedication propelled her into a leadership role. Now, as Senior Licensing Manager, she oversees Jay Franco’s entire portfolio and plays a crucial role in onboarding new partnerships and driving growth across the business. With her expertise and insight, Teresa skillfully navigates the ever-evolving licensing landscape, positioning Jay Franco for continued growth and innovation.

Oliver Gilding, Head of Innovation & Licensing at Iceland Foods

Based in the U.K.

Oliver is the Head of Innovation & Licensing at Iceland Foods, where he has significantly contributed to the company’s growth and strategic direction. Since starting his career in licensing in 2021, Oliver has been instrumental in transforming Iceland’s exclusive branded offering into a diverse portfolio of over 500 products across 30 different licenses. His innovative approach and positive mindset have led to accelerated, impactful product launches with global brands across grocery, restaurant, and lifestyle categories. As the driving force behind Iceland’s cross-category licensing program, Oliver has played a key role in establishing a unique point of difference for the retailer in the U.K. market.

Gemma Hay, Manager of Global Franchise Marketing at Mattel

Based in the U.S.
Gemma’s licensing career began in January 2020 with Mattel EMEA, working on the action figure portfolio with key licensors like Disney, Universal, WWE, and Microsoft. She then took on the EMEA brand and franchise management of Thomas & Friends and Fireman Sam. Today, she is based in Los Angeles, California, leading the global franchise relaunch and brand management of Barney the Dinosaur (an exciting full-circle moment having grown up a Barney kid herself!). Her specialties include brand and franchise management, content development for preschool entertainment IPs, and business development. Gemma is passionate about bringing important lessons to children through entertainment and building brands that families love.

David Jolly, Marketing & Communications Manager at Le Petit Prince Licensing

Based in France  
David Jolly has built a career focused on elevating iconic French cultural brands, and today plays a key role in showcasing French heritage on a global scale through his work with Le Petit Prince Licensing. His career includes key positions at Les Editions Albert René, where he managed marketing for Astérix, and Hachette Collections, where he launched successful partwork products and marketing campaigns. Today, he contributes to Le Petit Prince’s international influence by leading partnerships and overseeing the brand’s expansion into vital markets—including China and Brazil—promoting French culture worldwide.

Abhishek Kumar, Head of Design & Brand Assurance at Bradford License India

Based in India  
Abhishek is the Head of Design & Brand Assurance at Bradford License India, a premier licensing agency representing global brands in the Indian market. With experience in brand licensing, creative strategy, and fashion collaborations, Abhishek has facilitated more than 50 successful partnerships across various categories, including fashion, lifestyle, sports, entertainment, and electronics. As part of an Indian Fashion Trend Forecasting project, Abhishek’s expertise in trend forecasting and creative direction has helped brands align with emerging consumer preferences. His ability to foster partnerships that resonate with diverse audiences has significantly shaped the Indian licensing landscape.

Wei Jie Sun, Licensing Director at Alifish

Based in China
After graduating from the Academy of Fine Arts, Wei Jie worked in licensing at galleries and game companies. He joined Alifish, a subsidiary of Alibaba Group, and has worked in both the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) team and the hardline team. He eventually became the Licensing Director of the hardline team, currently managing the licensing business for a series of IPs, including Sanrio, Pokémon, Minions, and Chiikawa in the China region. He has helped numerous brands like Bloks, Toptoy, Razer, Logitech, and OPPO achieve collaborations, managing 200 clients and realizing a GMV of three billion RMB.

Joseph Yap, Brands & Licensing Manager at BBC Studios

Based in Singapore
Joseph’s licensing journey began at BBC Studios, where he first joined the Asia marketing team and was then given an opportunity to develop a brands and licensing strategy for the region. Working across a portfolio of iconic IPs synonymous with the BBC (like Doctor Who, Bluey, Hey Duggee, and BBC Earth), he manages each brand’s licensing strategy in markets across Asia. Joseph’s focus has been leading and executing the brand strategy for Bluey in Asia. He manages the brand’s cross-category licensing program across key markets in Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia (excluding Greater China), and South Asia, while supporting the brand’s overall global growth as one of the leading preschool brands globally.