Bravado, Universal Music Group has announced the centralization of both Bravado and Epic Rights licensing rosters.
Bravado acquired Epic Rights in 2019 and the new structure includes the expanded purview of Epic Rights’ SVP Global Licensing. Lisa Streff will oversee global licensing strategies across both companies. Streff will work closely with the existing Bravado and Epic Rights retail and brand management teams and will report to Jesper Poulsen, General Manager, Bravado.
“We are continuing to grow our global licensing and retail business with a more unified and complementary strategy across both Bravado and Epic Rights, while maintaining individual strategies and priorities,” said Bravado’s president Matt Young. “With Jesper leading the team as General Manager and Lisa driving global licensing strategy, we have the right team in place to ensure growth for our artists in this area.”
Streff joined Epic Rights in 2014 as SVP of Licensing. In 2019, Bravado acquired Epic Rights with an artist roster including KISS, AC/DC, Def Leppard, David Bowie, John Lennon, Britney Spears, and NSYNC, among others.
Streff will continue to spearhead the development of global merchandising licensing programs for Epic Rights’ artists while adding the oversight of programs for Bravado’s clients, such as The Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, Sex Pistols, Run DMC, Beastie Boys, Spice Girls, Avril Lavigne and many more.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Lisa for close to 10 years and proud of how our team built Epic Rights’ global retail footprint,” Poulsen said. “Lisa has been instrumental in developing innovative campaigns; creating unique licensing opportunities and partnerships with best-in-class licensed products for our artists and their fans.
“Creating this strategic alignment of our Retail and Licensing teams gives us a competitive advantage unmatched in the industry.”
For her part, Streff says she’s looking ahead to the challenges of an expanded role with the Bravado team.
“Since joining Epic Rights, it has truly been an incredible ride to play an integral role in the growth of what was essentially a start-up organization to now being part of the biggest global merch company,” said Streff. “This is a magical time to be in music licensing and merchandising. I am honored and excited to collaborate with Matt, Jesper and the Bravado team in this expanded role and to work with some of the biggest artists in the world under the Bravado banner, while continuing to spearhead the programs for our Epic Rights’ talent.”