People Profile: Bartosch Lewandowski, CEO of Dein Maskottchen GmbH 

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)?

In addition to my studies in the field of law, I also attended an acting school in Cologne and have now been working in the field of acting and children’s and family entertainment for 15 years. One of my main focus areas was working with licensed themes. I have now been running my own agency for two years with a focus on children’s and family entertainment with licensed themes. What I like about this field of work is that it allows me to combine my legal with my artistic skillset.

What’s a “typical” day in your current position?

As managing director, my day-to-day work is very versatile and varied. In addition to acquiring new licensing partnerships and managing current licensing matters, I hold a lot of conversations with customers and work on developing concepts for sustainable children’s and family entertainment together with my team.

What’s your biggest personal or professional accomplishment?

In my personal life, I have accomplished my dream of taking a boat license and now spend a lot of my vacation and leisure time at sea. In my professional life, I have successfully positioned dein maskottchen GmbH on the German-speaking market together with my partner.

What are the most significant trends or changes that you’ve seen in the business in recent years?

It will be exciting to monitor how developments like the Metaverse, NFTs, and Web3 will affect the industry. In our field of business, we are always trying to find explore new, innovative, and sustainable pathways to continue providing good children’s and family entertainment.

In your opinion, what is the top skill every licensing executive should have in order to succeed?

Of particular importance is developing a fine feeling for licensing themes and to think ahead. Transferring a strong brand into a particular field of business is not enough—a strong vision is key to the success of any utilization approach. One important quality is to select suitable license themes for one’s own business strategy and philosophy.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received, or what’s your favorite quote?

One of my favorite quotes comes from one of my favorite pieces of literature. „Es irrt der Mensch, solang er strebt,“ taken from Faust by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. In English it says “Man errs as long as he strives.”

If you weren’t in licensing, what would you be doing now?

If I could choose, I would be on a desert island with a boat, of course. But reality is different. I used to be very involved in politics and public service. I really enjoy working for the common good and driving better living conditions. If I hadn’t ended up in licensing, I might have pursued a career in politics.

The last licensed product I bought was…
The cult theme Janosch, including the characters “little tiger” and “little bear.”