Licensing International Inducts Three into 2024 Hall of FameLicensing International Inducts Three into 2024 Hall of Fame

Licensing International celebrated the achievements of industry leaders Joseph Kaminkow, Maca Rotter and Stu Seltzer during its 2024 Hall of Fame Induction and Rising Star Awards event held at Gotham Hall in New York City. The event also honored eight Rising Stars and ten Licensing International Foundation scholarship recipients. 

Joseph Kaminkow, chief innovation officer, Aristocrat Gaming, was recognized for his groundbreaking work in integrating licensed titles into slot machines and arcade games. Kaminkow’s career began when he started his own game development company, Logical Highs, before joining Williams Games. Noticing a resurgence in pinball games in the mid-1980s, Kaminkow partnered with Gary Stern to found Data East Pinball (now Stern Pinball). He was then recruited by International Game Technology to revolutionize slot machines using licensed titles. Kaminkow went on to found Spooky Cool Labs in Chicago, which was acquired by Zynga, before leaving in 2022 to devote himself full-time to Aristocrat Gaming, where he expanded his efforts to bring pop-culture icons to life on the casino floor. 

"Reflecting back on my decades in the gaming industry, licensing has been at the center of much of the work that I’ve done,” said Kaminkow. “Even as consumer preferences and pop culture trends have evolved, licensing has moved with the changing tide. It fills me with pride to have adapted some of the most iconic properties in the world into a gaming format that brings people joy, and it is an honor to receive this recognition from Licensing International."  

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Eugene Jarvis, president, Raw Thrills, and Gary Stern, founder, executive chairman and executive vice president, Stern Pinball, presented Kaminkow with the honor. 

Maca Rotter, president and chief executive officer, La Panadería Licensing, was acknowledged for her 25 years of leadership in marketing and branding, particularly in expanding licensing across Mexico. has achieved great success in founding, developing, and expanding domestic and international markets by implementing innovative and strategic approaches. To establish a legacy and set a standard in the industry for the Hispanic community, Rotter authored the first and only Spanish-language book about consumer products structure and business models in 2014. Rotter served as the first Latin woman on Licensing International’s board of directors and founded the Licensing Association chapter in Mexico.  

"I know firsthand the power that brand licensing holds in connecting fans and consumers with the properties they cherish, and expanding this industry through Mexico has provided me an incredibly gratifying career,” said Rotter. “Working alongside Licensing International, I am dedicated to continue contributing to this remarkable industry while helping to shape its future growth.” 

Related:Licensing International Names 2024 Global Rising Stars

Rotter was presented by Omar Faker, senior vice president, Non-Scripted Entertainment and Music, TelevisaUnivision.  

Stu Seltzer, president, Seltzer Licensing Group, was honored for his expertise in brand licensing and marketing strategies, leading the Seltzer Licensing Group for over 25 years.  The global agency is renowned for its expertise in brand licensing, partnership marketing, and strategic alliances. His understanding of the licensing field and adept negotiation skills were honed through pivotal roles at organizations like Yves Saint Laurent and the DC Comics division at Warner Bros. His strategic insights have driven substantial returns on marketing investments for clients, including Unilever, Scotts Miracle-Gro and the American Red Cross. Seltzer has contributed significantly as an award-winning professor at New York University, where he has taught a course on brand licensing to undergraduates for over 20 years. 

"Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of collaborating with exceptional brands to build impactful licensing programs,” said Seltzer. “It’s a true honor to have made a difference in this industry and I’m energized by the future as we continue pushing boundaries and creating innovative partnerships together.” 

Seltzer was presented by Dan Romanelli, founder, Warner Bros. Consumer Products.  

Established in 1989, the Licensing International Hall of Fame is home to the most esteemed global licensing executives of the last three decades. Inductees are selected by a committee of industry executives based on nominations received from the global licensing community at large; the Licensing International Board of Directors reviews all recommendations before making a final selection. Joseph Kaminkow, Maca Rotter, and Stu Seltzer join industry luminaries including Kathy Ireland, Martha Stewart, George Lucas, Walt Disney and Charles Schultz.

“Joseph, Maca and Stu are pioneers in the global brand licensing industry, whose contributions have not only resulted in significant innovation but have also set the standard for leadership and integrity,” said Maura Regan, president, Licensing International. “They have brought iconic brands to life in ways that continue to resonate across generations. This induction is a fitting recognition of their profound impact, as each of them has left an indelible mark on our industry, inspiring countless others to follow in their footsteps.” 

Rising Stars and Scholarship Recipients 

The 2024 Hall of Fame event also recognized rising talent making strides in the licensing industry. The event celebrated the eight 2024 Rising Star Award recipients as announced in October. For more than a decade, the Rising Star program has recognized young professionals from around the world who have been nominated by their peers and selected by the Rising Star committee members for their contributions to the global brand licensing industry. 

Additionally, ten students were awarded scholarships from the Licensing International Foundation, supporting the next generation of licensing leaders. 

The accomplished students exploring a career in brand licensing who were honored include: Nora Atwa, Cameron Faconer, Owen Fu, Andreaz Glasgow, Maycon Gomes da Silva, Skylar Grady, Britney Huston, Remy LeMaire, Matt Stein and Sophia Rodriguez. 

The event was supported by sponsors including Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences, Raw Thrills and Mattel.