Ciarán Coyle, global vice president and head, Electrolux Global Brand Licensing, has been elected as chairman of the board of the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association.

Coyle succeeds Rick Van Brimmer of The Ohio State University, who has completed a two-year term.

“I’m honored to have been elected by my fellow directors to be chairman of the LIMA Board,” says Coyle. “This is an extremely exciting and dynamic time for the LIMA organization having grown both our membership and international presence significantly in the past couple of years. I look forward to being part of LIMA’s continued success.”

In addition to Coyle’s appointment, Cindy Levitt of Hot Topic was elected to the position of vice chairman and Ted Larkins of CPLG North America was voted to the executive committee as liaison to the board of directors.

Meanwhile, the LIMA membership has elected six new members to begin terms on the LIMA board including Jay Asher, Brandgenuity; Andrew Carley, Entertainment One; Eric Karp, Crayola; Kelly Knock, Under Armour; Neal Rudge, Pacific Licensing Studio; and Leigh Ann Schwarzkopf, Project Partners Network.

Continuing LIMA board members include Richard Barry, Toys ‘R’ Us; David Buckley, Copyrights Asia Limited; Elise Contarsy, Meredith Corporation; Tim Kilpin, WME/IMG Licensing; John Parham, Parham Santana; Maca Rotter, Televisa Consumer Products; and Henry Stupp, Cherokee Global Brands.

“Our latest additions to the LIMA board are a stellar group of executives who truly reflect licensing as a global industry,” says Charles Riotto, president, LIMA. “I look forward to working with these vibrant leaders and seeing the growth they will help our association and the industry as a whole continue to achieve worldwide.”