Global licensing firm Evolution has expanded its executive team with three new additions. Initial founders Travis J. Rutherford and Adam Unger have joined forces with Stanley Lerman and Ryan Broomberg to expand the capabilities of the firm. Kirsti Tichenor has been appointed senior director of licensing and brand compliance.

“The opportunity to partner with best in class senior executives, such as Stan (Lerman) and Ryan (Broomberg), bolsters Evolution’s executive management team and adds in-house expertise that is not seen in the traditional licensing business,” says Rutherford. “Evolution now has the ability to manage an intellectual property from its initial creative concept all the way to the retail shelf, and our combined strength in entertainment, fashion, consumer packaged goods, toys and logistics provides our clients with superior insights and expertise to maximize a successful licensing program.”

Lerman will serve as managing director and chief operating officer. Lerman brings extensive retail, consumer packaged goods, fashion and direct response experience to the company. His primary responsibilities will be strategic planning, operations, finance and legal, and he will oversee all international licensing efforts.

Broomberg, who will take on the role of executive vice president, brings expertise in retail operations, sourcing and distribution logistics to Evolution.

Tichenor will be handling all product development approvals, creative services and category licensing sales. She previously worked as a premium buyer for U.S. Sales Corp, director of licensing for BandMerch and as executive director of product development and creative services for Paramount Pictures.

With these new appointments, Evolution is now looking to expand its client portfolio from filmed entertainment and character brands into new media, location-based entertainment, corporate trademarks, consumer-packaged goods and fashion brands. Current clients include Summertime Entertainment’s new 3D, animated CGI feature film, Dorothy of Oz; Zinkia Entertainment’s animated preschool property, Pocoyo; and Zydeco Studios children’s novelty brand, Floppets.