This year, “The Influentials” will look to pay tribute to a broad swath of individuals by highlighting the best and brightest within specific categories.  

These categories – “The Innovator,” “The Disruptor,” “The Change Maker,” “The Brand Builder,” “The Collaborator,” “The Expert,” “The Newcomer," “The Influencer” and "The License Global Influential of 2022" – encompass the scope of contributions of those advancing the quality and sophistication of the $315.5 billion licensing business. 

The nominations have been counted, the judges have gathered and License Global is pleased to release its first look at the Shortlist of nominees across each category. 

“The Innovator” 

An individual who has played a vital role in industry advancements across sustainable processes, manufacturing or product design. 

Derek Rippe, BarkBox

Elisha Gordan, Jay Franco

Eliza Kapitan, Accutime

Mike Dunn, Octane5

“The Change Maker” 

An individual who has contributed to advancements or created validated internal programs or product programs that promote and bring permanent change in diversity and inclusion. 

Anita Castellar, FanGirl

Eric Morse, Red Bubble

Madia Willis, Black Paper Party

Michael Almeida, Joester Loria Group

Hyram Yarbro, Semaphore

“The Collaborator” 

An individual who has developed an exceptional brand collaboration and/or cross-category product collaboration program. 

Dolly Ahluwalia, Funko

Jason Kletzky, Collaborations Licensing

Joan Carrera Lopez, AC Milan

Justin Paquin, Paquin Entertainment

“The Disruptor” 

An individual that has inspired the licensing community to adopt a new way of business or school of thought. 

Alex Locke, NFIP Holdings

Ashley Mady, Zigazoo

Jen Nuccio, Rock the Bells

Warren Schorr, Crayola

“The Expert” 

An individual who has contributed to the business of brand licensing deeply over the course of their storied career. 

Julie Newman and Ilana Wilensky, Jewel Branding

Stu Seltzer, Seltzer Licensing

Casey Collins, Hasbro

Raj Malik, Bioworld

“The Newcomer” 

A newcomer to the business of brand licensing who is at the beginning of their licensing career but already making waves in the industry. 

Bri Kessler, Brand Central

Jade Perry, CAA

Jennifer Sacco, Accutime

Nick Manzo, IMG

“The Brand Builder” 

The person behind the licensed consumer product which has garnered huge reach, revenue growth and/or ongoing opportunities for the brand/intellectual property 

Anna Songo Adamian, Crunchyroll

Danielle Marder, Jazwares

Jasen Wright, Wildbrain CPLG

Molly Robbins, U.S. Polo Assn.

“The Influencer” 

An individual that has gone out of their way to better the industry through open-source thinking, editorial contribution, public speaking and mentoring. The Influencer is a voice that carries. 

Enrique Uribe, Disliz

Gary Pope, Kids Industries

Genna Rosenberg, GennComm

Jeremy Padawer, Jazwares

Sharon Weisman, Powerstation Studios

NEW CATEGORY

"The License Global Influential of 2022"

An individual chosen for excellence in all categories or one specific, earth-shattering example of how an individual can create a sea of change.  

Steven Heller, The Brand Liaison

Simon Philips, Moonbug

Matthieu Battini, GLG, Informa

Allison Ames, Beanstalk

“The Influentials “will also feature “Influential Advice for Young Professionals” to give professionals a direct insight into the expertise of the licensing’s best. So, stay tuned for the launch of License Global’s “The Influentials Issue” this December for the final reveal of the winners, as well as insights into the global toy market, interviews with major brands within licensing and thought leadership from the License Global team.