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Thursday April 22nd, 2009 @ The Brewery, London
The countdown to the MCV Awards 2010 has begun – with date, venue and categories announced.
CPLG president and group MD sadly passed away on December 28th.
Chris Protheroe, president and group managing director at CPLG, sadly passed away on December 28th, after losing his battle with cancer over the past six months.
He was 54.
Protheroe was a well-known and much-loved personality in the licensing industry. He spent his early years working for BBC Worldwide, Marvel, Yorkshire TV, Penguin Books and Sony Signatures, where he ran the successful European licensing programme for the FIFA World Cup 1998.
He joined CPLG as head of sport in July 1999, managing the licensing programmes for Euro 2000 and FIFA World Cup 2002.
Protheroe continued to grow CPLG's sports division to include representation of the major UK governing bodies and national football, cricket and rugby teams, as well as St Andrews Links.
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He was promoted to president and group managing director in 2010.
He will be remembered fondly for his warmth and sense of humour (and colourful socks, which reflected his positive and optimistic approach to life). He also mentored his staff and colleagues, supporting them to think creatively in their approach to licensing and to grow professionally and personally.
He had a spirit and outlook on life that is rarely matched and his death is a sad loss for his family, friends and colleagues.
The family has requested no flowers please, but donations, if desired, can be made to the Princess Alice Hospice. Please contact CPLG for further details at cplginfo@cplg.com.
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A very sad loss. Anyone who spent time with Chris will know that he mixed a steely determination to do the right deal with an ever-alert sense of humour that could have you sharing a laugh at any moment. We sometimes seemed to be trying to outdo each other in banter about the occasional banalities of licensing, but always looking for the funny side. We'll miss him.
Chris was a really a great guy. We had some really fun times with Chris over the years. He was always ready for a laugh and had the ability to make everybody very comfortable. He was a great leader at CPLG and we will certainly miss him.
So very sad to hear this news - Chris was a lovely, funny guy who I enjoyed sharing the same office space with a few years back. Condolences to all at CPLG and to Chris's family.
Just not the best way to start the new year. Condolences to all at CPLG and to Chris's family from all us us at BIC LicensinGroup. Chapeaux to a licensing industry #1. Oscar and Claudio Massari, with Gabriella, Max, Maurizio, Nicoletta, Francesca, Federica, Stefania and all the people here at BIC.
Chris had qualities that are sadly in short supply today. I, like many others, valued his insight, his great sense of humour and humility and above all his integrity. It's fair to say that the licensing industry has lost not only one of its' leading lights but one of its' shining ones as well. His loss will be felt by many of us.
Very sorry to hear about Chris. The Licensing industry has lost another good'un.
He will be missed.
Such a great loss...I met Chris for the first time back in 1984...first week I got into the Licensing Biz.
A straightshooter with a twinkle in his eye and humor abounding. Shocked he's been taken from us so young. Deepest sympathy to his family and all at my old alma mater CPLG.
I worked with Chris at Marvel UK in the 80s and found him a great guy, the human face of Marketing. Whatever he happened to be doing at any given time he always seemed to be having fun with it, and if I call his face to mind now he's smiling. Nothing much fazed Chris - not even the great storm of 1987 when a tower crane collapsed onto Marvel and pretty much took out his office! Rest in peace Chris; good to have known you, however briefly.
Having worked with Chris at CPLG and knowing what he was like, I think he would be looking down on us with a smile on his face now! The only positive we can take out of this very sad situation is that at least Chris enjoyed his short life and had lots of fun. Rest in peace Chris! X
