By Allison Watkinson
TLL Reporter
The Licensing International Foundation is inducting Kathy Ireland and Salvatore LaRocca to the Licensing International Hall of Fame.
“We had much to celebrate at this year’s Licensing International Hall of Fame,” said Maura Regan, President of Licensing International. “From revered industry veterans to gifted newcomers, the industry is full of talent and I am continually inspired by their approach to the licensing business and the strides made to move our industry forward.”
The Licensing International 2022 Awards event was held at Gotham Hall in New York City on December 7th. The event honored the inductees to the Hall of Fame, the Rising Stars of brand licensing, and the recipients of the 2022 Licensing International Foundation scholarship program.
Kathy Ireland is the CEO, and Chief Designer of the design, marketing, and brand licensing firm Kathy Ireland Worldwide, also known as kiWW.
Ireland initially founded the brand marketing firm in 1993 in collaboration with K-Mart following a successful career as a fashion model. kiWW became a global licensor after ending its exclusive partnership with K-Mart in 2003. The solely-owned company has since become the highest-ranking woman-owned licensing business in US history.
Kathy Ireland’s Licensing Hall of Fame award was presented by Marcus Lemonis, CEO of Camping World and long-standing business associate of kiWW.
“The successful brand collaboration between kiWW and Camping World is driven by Ireland’s personal integrity,” said Lemonis.
“She has built a phenomenal company filled with great people, and we’re so proud of this recognition.”
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Salvatore LaRocca is President of Global Partnerships for the National Basketball Association. In his role at the company, LaRocca oversees global commercial partnerships for the NBA, WNBA, NBA 2K League, NBA G League, and USA Basketball. LaRocca leads the team responsible for structuring, negotiating and managing the league’s global merchandising and marketing partnerships.
“I am honored to be recognized as a member of the Licensing International Hall of Fame class of 2022,” said LaRocca. “Sports bring people together around the world, and licensing facilitates marketing and merchandising partnerships that bring fans closer to the game.”
Established in 1989, the Licensing International Hall of Fame is home to some of the most successful global licensing executives of the last three decades. Kathy Ireland and Salvatore LaRocca join past inductees such as Martha Stewart, George Lucas, Walt Disney, and Charles Schultz.
Inductees for the Licensing International Hall of Fame are selected by a committee of industry executives based on nominations received from the global licensing community. Licensing International’s Board of Directors carefully reviews all recommendations before making the final selection.
“It is an honor to receive recognition by Licensing International for our work in brand licensing. We have so many mentors and clients to thank,” said Ireland.
“John and Marilyn Moretz; Elizabeth Taylor, who taught us so much about building and growing a brand; Jon Carrasco, our Worldwide Creative Director; Stephen Roseberry, our President and CMO; Lee and Linda Mandelbaum, our fashion leaders in New York; Irv Blumkin; Warren Buffett; Clark Linstone; Abe and the Hanan family; Telisa Yancy; Janet Jackson; BMG; and Rona Menashe, our Public Relations Director,” added Ireland.
“We are grateful to work with our incredible clients, whose verticals include home, fashion, entertainment, fintech, insurance, jewelry, and healthcare, and whose shared values help us to fight for human rights around the world.”
In addition to honoring Ireland and LaRocca, the 2022 awards event celebrated the six recipients of the Rising Star Award that were announced last month. The Rising Star program recognizes young, peer-nominated professionals from around the world for their contributions to the international brand licensing industry.
Three students exploring careers in brand licensing were also celebrated at the event as the recipients of the Licensing International Foundation’s 2022 Scholarship program. This years recipients of the Scholarship program include Lara Kotb, Laura Judit Fekete, and Stefan Sabur.
Founded in 1985, Licensing International is a trade organization that aims to foster the global expansion, awareness, and professionalism of the licensing industry. Licensing International members receive access to an array of benefits, including extensive educational programming and worldwide networking events.