Licensing group bulks up board with industry leaders

NEWYORK — The International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association has named Maura Regan, SVP, general manager for global consumer products at Sesame Workshop, chairperson of the board. She had previously served as vice chairperson.



The board also announced the following changes:

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  Rick Van Brimmer, director trademark and licensing services for The Ohio State University, was elected as LIMA’s vice chairman. He formerly was a member of LIMA’s board.

  
  


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  Five new members were elected to three-year terms on the LIMA board:

  
  
  
  
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    Ciaran Coyle, managing director international for Beanstalk;

    
    
  
  
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    Dell Furano, CEO of Live Nation Merchandise;

    
    
  
  
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    Elias Hofman, president of Exim Licensing;

    
    
  
  
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    Sara Nemerov, SVP consumer products and brand licensing for Warner Music Group;

    
    
  
  
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    Peter Yoder, VP consumer products for Cartoon Network Enterprises.

    
    
  
  
  
  

In addition, board member Peter Boder, founder and CEO of United Labels AG, was named board designee for the executive committee.



“We are pleased to have such talented licensing professionals join our LIMA board of directors, and look forward to working closely with each of them to better our industry,” said LIMA president Charles Riotto. “This year’s board is composed of standouts from all sides of the business, and I am confident they will help LIMA continue to accomplish great things.”



Maura Regan joined Sesame Workshop in 1999 and has risen through the ranks to her current position overseeing the Workshop’s global retail business across all major categories of licensed goods. Previously, she was VP international licensing and new business development and, before joining Sesame Workshop, held positions with Scholastic Entertainment and MTV Networks.



Rick Van Brimmer, a graduate of Ohio State, has remained committed to the school, taking on the responsibility of promoting one of the largest public universities in the country as a brand. He now oversees all commercial use of the school’s name.



Peter Boder has been in the licensing business for more than 20 years and an active member of LIMA Germany since its inception. Boder leads United Labels, one of the leading licensees in Europe for apparel, gift and plush toys, with offices in all major European countries and Hong Kong.



Ciaran Coyle oversees Beanstalk’s international licensing business across Europe, Africa and Asia. Based in the agency’s London office, Coyle is credited with driving significant international growth for the company since joining in 2002.



Dell Furano, CEO of Live Nation Merchandise, is a pioneer in developing the worldwide music artist merchandising and licensing industry. He co-founded Winterland Productions, and has led several subsequent companies in the field. Furano joined Live Nation when it acquired Signatures Network in January 2008.



Elias Hofman leads the 15 offices and more than 300 associates of Exim Licensing, whose marketing and licensing business is focused on Latin America. Exim has developed many live shows for children, and is producing its first original IP.



Sara Nemerov has been involved in licensing for 12 years, and is responsible for Warner Music Group’s roster of artists, including Bruno Mars, Cee Lo, Cody Simpson, Frank Sinatra, The Grateful Dead, Michael Buble and more. Previously, she was VP Global Licensing for The Trump Organization.



Peter Yoder has been with Cartoon Network Enterprises since 2006. Previously, he was Director of Brand Business at HIT Entertainment and Marketing & Merchandising Manager/East Coast at Abercrombie & Fitch.