Merchandise Licensing
Merchandise Licensing is the business practice of giving permission to companies to use team logos, player images, or brand names on products like jerseys, hats, or collectibles. Think of it as renting out the right to use a sports team's brand. For example, when you see an official NFL jersey in a store, that's because the manufacturer got permission (a license) from the NFL to make and sell it. This role involves managing these partnerships, negotiating deals, and making sure products meet quality standards. It's an important way sports teams and leagues make money beyond ticket sales and TV rights.
Examples in Resumes
Generated $2M in revenue through new Merchandise Licensing partnerships
Managed Merchandise Licensing program for major league baseball team
Negotiated Merchandise Licensing deals with retail chains
Oversaw Licensed Merchandise quality control for team apparel
Developed Licensing strategy for team mascot merchandise
Typical job title: "Licensing Managers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Licensing Managers
Professional Associations
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you develop a licensing strategy for a new sports team?
Expected Answer: Should discuss market research, identifying target demographics, selecting product categories, vetting potential licensees, and creating revenue projections. Should mention quality control measures and brand protection strategies.
Q: Tell me about a challenging licensing negotiation you handled and how you resolved it.
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate experience with complex deal structures, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of both financial and brand protection aspects of licensing agreements.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you ensure licensees maintain product quality standards?
Expected Answer: Should explain processes for product approval, quality control checks, regular vendor reviews, and handling situations where products don't meet standards.
Q: What metrics do you use to measure the success of a licensing program?
Expected Answer: Should mention revenue tracking, market penetration, customer feedback, product sell-through rates, and brand value maintenance.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What's the difference between exclusive and non-exclusive licensing?
Expected Answer: Should explain that exclusive means only one company can make a certain type of product, while non-exclusive allows multiple companies to make similar products.
Q: How do you track royalty payments from licensees?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of basic royalty reporting, sales tracking, and the importance of maintaining accurate records of licensing revenue.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of licensing agreements
- Product approval coordination
- Royalty tracking and reporting
- Communication with licensees
Mid (2-5 years)
- License agreement negotiation
- Product development oversight
- Revenue forecasting
- Licensee relationship management
Senior (5+ years)
- Strategic program development
- Complex deal structuring
- Brand protection strategy
- Team leadership and mentoring
Red Flags to Watch For
- No understanding of royalty structures
- Lack of experience with contract terms and negotiations
- Poor attention to detail in product quality control
- No knowledge of trademark protection
- Limited understanding of retail markets
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