The global licensing community is powered by an incredible group of professionals whose diverse backgrounds and creative energy drive innovation and excellence. Each week we’re profiling one of these professionals in this ongoing series.
How did you get into licensing (or how did licensing find you)?
Transitioning from the world of tech startups and teaching, I quickly found out there were so many creators out here in space and I needed a way through the crowd. I’m not sure how I came across brand licensing or Licensing International, but it changed my perspective on how I see my creations. After learning about licensing, I realized that I was actually doing this as a child when I helped my mother draw inventions.
What’s a “typical” day in your current position?
As the CEO and a creator at Limelight, my typical day is flexible with blocked times. I mark everything I want to do for the next day, which usually includes taking or making calls, learning, napping, blocked times of creating, and making sure I get my laughs.
What’s your biggest personal or professional accomplishment?
I started a Home Healthcare company while I worked at the Uber office in Miami, and it flourished from $20k to $135k within two years. That allowed me to see I could stand on my own in business, thus leading me into a lifelong passion of entertainment.
What are the most significant trends or changes that you’ve seen in the business in recent years?
The changes happen so fast that it’s truly hard to keep up or sometimes remember what has happened. I think the accessibility of mainstream companies and indie creators connecting would be the biggest change. This opened the door for more opportunities for creators to do what they love every day.
What keeps you up at night? What’s your biggest challenge these days?
Not being able to create fast enough and not having enough money to create the awesome stuff in my head. Along with that is having a non-contractual team, which flows back to the “not enough money.”
In your opinion, what is the top skill every licensing executive should have in order to succeed?
In my opinion, I think vision and willingness to listen are the top skills to have. I meet a lot of creators who have tunnel vision, which is good for some things. The willingness to listen allows for more unseen and unheard-of opportunities.
How do you know what a person wants if they’ve never seen it?
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received, or what’s your favorite quote?
How do you know what a person wants if they’ve never seen it?
What is your favorite licensing deal of all time? (It doesn’t have to be one that was signed by you.)
I think the Barbie licensing deals this year, with over 100 licenses for the release of the movie, was quite novel. That’s the vision I spoke about above.
The last licensed product I bought was…
The last licensed product I bought was a Spider-Man t-shirt for my son.
Original link to article: https://licensinginternational.org/news/people-profile-david-green-founder-of-limelight-entertainment-studios/
