2025 Hall of Fame Inductee
ALLISON AMES, President & CEO, Beanstalk
With nearly 30 years of experience leading licensing initiatives for diverse brands and retail exclusive programs, Allison Ames oversees the strategic direction of Beanstalk globally and leads the agency’s growth efforts. She plays a key role in developing and driving Beanstalk’s culture, which has set the agency apart in the industry.
Since joining Beanstalk in 1997, Allison has spearheaded global and U.S.-based strategic licensing initiatives for diverse clients including P&G, Stanley Black & Decker, Diageo, W.K. Kellogg, Kellanova, Godiva, Dole, the U.S. Army, HGTV, The Ohio State University, The Met, among many others.
She was an integral part of the development and management of worldwide retail exclusive programs for Chef Eric Adjepong, Kelly Ripa, Salma Hayek, Mary-Kate & Ashley and Danskin Now and has been instrumental in elevating Beanstalk’s expertise in direct-to-retail partnerships. Additionally, Allison reintroduced the Manufacturer Representation division to the agency and led the expansion of Beanstalk’s geographic footprint into Latin America.
Allison has defined the culture of the agency to drive collaboration, creativity and productivity. She has spearheaded the development of Beanstalk’s learning and development programs, community involvement through its Beanstalk Hands-On and Beanstalk Charities Programs, and its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practice of “Antiracism, Allyship and Action” (AAA).
Under her leadership, Beanstalk has won 28 awards for Licensing Excellence from Licensing International including the 2022 Licensing International Excellence Award for Best Licensing Agency, as well as 11 B&LLA Brand & Lifestyle Awards and the P&G Innovation Capability Award. Allison herself was the recipient of License Global’s 2018 Influentials Award and in 2022, she was named License Global’s The Influential, chosen for “excellence in all categories or one specific, earth-shattering example of how an individual can create a sea of change” in the industry.
For the past three years, Allison has been a mentor in Licensing International’s Mentorship Program and enjoys formally and informally mentoring rising young professionals throughout the industry.
In 2024, she launched Justice for Our Daughters, a non-profit organization that combats sexual predators to protect the exploitation of women and young children, a cause that is near and dear to her heart.
Most recently, in 2025, Allison orchestrated the sale of Beanstalk from Omnicom to a consortium of institutional investors to ensure that Beanstalk will continue to drive innovation in the licensing industry and deliver excellence for its world-class clients.
Allison holds a B.A. in International Business & Marketing from George Washington University and an M.B.A. in International Business from Hofstra University. She also completed Omnicom University’s Senior Management Program at Babson College in 2009 followed by their Graduate and Post-Graduate programs in 2010 and 2016.