Steven Ekstract Launches Consultancy

Steven Ekstract, founder of License Global magazine and brand director of Informa Markets’ Global Licensing Group, is launching an independent consultancy focused on serving the licensing and new media industries. 

Ekstract will continue to work with the Global Licensing Group, however, by regularly contributing thought leadership editorial via his every-issue column, “Viewpoint,” as well as through bespoke written, speaking and video opportunities. 

Ekstract founded License Global in 1998 as an independent publication, and, before the magazine could even hit newsstands, the brand was acquired by Advanstar Inc., cementing its position as the brand licensing thought leader from inception. Under Ekstract, the publication grew exponentially, and today, License Global reaches more than 150,000 business professionals through its print, e-newsletter, social media, international editions and podcast. In 2019, Ekstract was honored by License Global and named as an Influential for his work to disrupt business and his influence at the ground floor to create an industry around licensed consumer products. 

Over the course of his tenure, Ekstract has become an industry fixture, speaking at global events in every major market, fostering longstanding relationships with the brightest leaders in the business and advising every level of business contributor. 

Ekstract’s new business venture, Global Licensing Advisors, will be based in New York City.

“The current pandemic is accelerating many of the major shifts in our global licensing business, including the need for strategies to develop content to drive e-commerce and a deeper understanding of digital brands and new media properties,” says Ekstract. “My purpose in launching Global Licensing Advisors is to assist companies in these particular areas of business development using my many years of media, marketing and licensing expertise.”     

“For so many, Steven Ekstract is as much a part of the business of brand licensing as the IP itself,” says Anna Knight, vice president, licensing, Global Licensing Group. “His deep industry knowledge, command of the global picture and colorful presentations are part of what brings so much depth, breadth and joy to what we do. He has built an incredibly strong foundation at not only License Global, but through the Global Licensing Group, and we look forward to carrying on that work with him moving forward. We at the Global Licensing Group and License Global are proud to support Steven in all he does and will champion him as he has championed us.”
You can contact Steven at [email protected].