Mad Engine Announces Retirement for SVP of Licensing, Names Replacement

Mad Engine has announced its senior vice president, licensing, Cindy Levitt, is retiring at the end of 2022. Levitt’s decision to retire concludes a remarkable career spanning more than 30 years in retail licensing. Levitt started her career as the first hired employee at Hot Topic, the retail chain specializing in pop culture, clothing and accessories. In 2019, Levitt joined Mad Engine where she helped drive the company’s content strategy; oversaw negotiations with studios, musicians, artists and other IP holders and assisted the executive team with managing licensor relationships. 

“Mad Engine and the entire licensing industry has benefited from Cindy’s expertise in connection with both content and product,” says Danish Gajiani, chief executive officer, Mad Engine. “Mad Engine’s staff, board and our many licensing partners feel privileged to have worked with Cindy and benefited from her vision over the years.” 

Mad Engine has named Kelly Schulman as its new senior vice president, licensing. Schulman is a seasoned licensing executive, having overseen, managed and run the licensing department at Fifth Sun prior to Mad Engine’s acquisition of the company in July 2021. Having spent the last year with Mad Engine, and the last 10 years in the licensed apparel industry, Schulman is familiar with Mad Engine’s business, its licensor-partners and its go-forward strategy.  

“While it is bittersweet to lose Cindy, we feel very confident with Kelly taking over the reins,” says Dean Allen, chief merchandising officer, Mad Engine. “We have worked closely with Kelly over the past year, and she has been an excellent addition to the team. We are very excited about Mad Engine’s future.” 

With Schulman at the helm, Mad Engine will continue to shape pop culture by obtaining top content and creating product that takes big swings, appeals to the masses and connects with its customers in a meaningful way. In addition to the two internal changes, Mad Engine has also promoted Jessica Jordan to vice president, who will be reporting to Schulman. 

“It has been my great honor and privilege to serve as the head of Mad Engine’s licensing function,” says Levitt. “I am proud of the organization we have grown into today. We have worked hard to provide product that resonates with our customers, promotes our licensor-partners’ content and in turn moves at retail. On a lighter note, I could not have imagined spending the last several years with a better group of people than my colleagues here at Mad Engine. I am eternally grateful.”