Ithaca College

Tuesday, April 20, 2021, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. 

Park Forum

Intellectual Property and Licensing

ZOOM Registration Required: https://ithaca.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMkce6uqz8iGtL5FcNjk2MQnmaKFc9BDaNE 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Note: This program is open to Ithaca College's current students, faculty, staff, and alumni. There is no cost to attend.

The ​Park Roundtable series​ convenes leading experts, practitioners, and Park faculty in a formal panel presentation to explore key issues in the industries and professions. 

A license or licence is an official permission or permit to do, use, or own something. A license is granted by a party to another party as an element of an agreement between those parties. In the case of a license issued by a government, the license is obtained by applying for it. The scope of the rights granted forms the subject matter of the licensing agreement. Licensing has evolved over the past 30 years from a series of one-off transactions into a significant business sector.

MODERATOR: Bill Burke, SVP Marketing Strategy & Communications, Licensing International

Bill Burke is an accomplished strategic marketing and licensing leader. Demonstrated track record for crafting and implementing licensing and brand marketing strategies that drive revenue and engagement across retail channels, digital platforms, and consumer experiences. Proven success in negotiating and securing strategic partnerships. Strong communicator with excellent organizational, interpersonal, and analytical skills. Recognized for building collaborative marketing, licensing, and operations teams.

About Licensing International https://licensinginternational.org

Licensing International (formerly LIMA) has been at the center of the multi-billion-dollar worldwide licensing industry for 35 years, helping companies profitably grow their businesses through an unparalleled network of information and membership. Smart licensing is the fastest and most profitable way to grow a business and maximize brand value in any industry. That is why, every day, Licensing International works to foster the growth and expansion of licensing around the world, raise the level of professionalism for licensing practitioners, and create greater awareness of the benefits of licensing to the business community at large. Currently, Licensing International’s more than 1,200 member companies hail from 40+ countries around the globe, with that number increasing every year including executives from all sides of the business: agents, brand owners, manufacturers, consultants, publications, lawyers, accountants, retailers and more.

INVITED GUESTS

Krystyna Braxton Apparel Licensing Manager at NFL Players Association

In her role as Apparel Licensing Manager for NFL Players Inc., Krystyna Braxton manages all relationships and business objectives for more than 20 Apparel licensees of the NFL Players Association’s for-profit licensing and marketing arm. The NFLPA, via NFL Players Inc., is one of the largest and most influential licensors in the world, representing exclusive group player rights of more than 2,000 active players.

She specializes in helping the NFLPA’s licensing partners maximize their group licensing agreements, execute marketing and promotional programs, and develop international group licensing opportunities working alongside agencies such as Brandgenuity. Apparel licensees managed by Krystyna include Fanatics, Dallas Cowboys Merchandising, Outerstuff, Shinesty, Strideline, New Era, and many more. The NFLPA has won three Licensing International Awards for “Best Sports Licensing Program.”

Krystyna’s passion to help athletes leverage their off-field sources of income through licensing has positioned her for long term success. She started as Licensing Coordinator with NFL Players Inc. and has worked up to her current management role, gaining experience in royalties and contracts and working on behalf of licensees at major industry events such as NFLPA Rookie Premiere, the NFL Super Bowl, Licensing Expo and Sports Licensing and Tailgate Show. Prior to joining the NFLPA, Krystyna interned with the Washington Redskins, PGA TOUR Headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida and the Tiger Woods Foundation, coordinating military initiatives around the Quicken Loans National Golf Tournament.

In June 2020, Krystyna was one of six recipients chosen for the esteemed Licensing International Rising Star Award. The Rising Star nominations were submitted by executives from around the world and the winners were selected by the committee based on the candidates’ commitment and passion for the licensing industry, leadership potential and proven innovation in their area of expertise.

Krystyna is an active member on the Licensing International organization and sits on the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. The committee’s goal is to attract, develop and retain the best and brightest from all backgrounds to achieve superior business goals. Krystyna currently serves as a Capstone Advisor for the Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies, Sports Industry Management Graduate Program. As a Capstone Advisor she assists students with their research and guides them through the semester-long process of completing their final Capstone Project to earn their degrees. 

Todd Kaufman Vice President Of Business Development at Beanstalk

Global Business Development leader in the licensing industry with proven track record seeing agreements through from RFP to representation agreement execution. With a focus on strategic development and identifying long-term revenue opportunities, I have led and won pitches with Fortune 500 companies within food & beverage, gaming, fashion & lifestyle and collegiate sports.

Specialties: Business development, relationship building, strategic development, brand partnerships, trend identification, revenue generation, creative deal making, consulting. 

The Roy H Park School of Communications offers a series of virtual forums to make new connections, spark insights and build momentum in our shared interest in communications. These forums provide an open, accessible format that engages our community and allies in driving the discussion around our mutual industries and professions.   

For more information contact Ann-Marie Adams, interim Park Professional Development Coordinator/First Year Advocate via email aadams4@ithaca.edu or by cell phone 607.229.8071.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Ann-Marie Adams, aadams4@ithaca.edu. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible.