Licensing Industry

Name:
Mel Humberstone-Garley

Time spent in licensing industry:
Over 20 years.

First job in licensing:
Licensing executive for Those Characters From Cleveland (the European licensing arm for American Greetings). Does anybody remember them and Geoff Fearnley?

What were your responsibilities?
The UK licensing of Care Bears, Strawberry Shortcake and Holly Hobbie to name a few. It was a brilliant introduction to licensing; Care Bears being a phenomena in its original day.

Current job in licensing:
UK territory manager, Chorion.

What are your responsibilities?
Licensing and managing the UK sales team to expand Chorion’s portfolio in the UK.

What is your greatest achievement so far?
Professionally, being here at Chorion. Personally, the day I bought my horse (now aged 26 years).

What is the best licence you have worked on so far in your career?
My personal favourite has to be Miffy. Although I have worked on some great licences over the years such as Forever Friends, Peter Rabbit... and now I have Mr Men and Noddy. I don’t think it gets any better than that. I've also had my fair share of the not-so-good-ones that I won’t mention.

What licence would you most like to have in your portfolio?
I already have it - Mr Men.

If you could choose your dream job in licensing, what would it be and why?
This comes pretty close.

What's the best thing about working in the licensing industry?
The people, the relationships, the fun and being part of a fantastic industry and learning something new every day.