NEW YORK — Licensing International, the leading trade organization for the $369+ billion global licensing industry, and the Licensing International Foundation, which supports the education of future licensing leaders, today celebrated the induction of Allison Ames, Susan Brandt, Steven Ekstract, the Hallmark brand and legacy, Dolly Parton, and Kevin Smith to the Licensing International Hall of Fame.

Held at Gotham Hall in New York City, the event also recognized Rising Stars in the licensing business and celebrated the future of the industry with the 2025 Licensing International Foundation scholarship recipients.

This year’s inductees included:

Allison Ames, President and CEO of Beanstalk, was honored for her continued excellence in the licensing industry and deep commitment to mentoring future leaders. With nearly 30 years of experience in global brand licensing and retail programs, Ames has led transformative initiatives for clients such as Stanley Black & Decker, P&G, Diageo, Kellanova, WK Kellogg Co., Godiva, Dole, HGTV, The Met, The Ohio State University, the U.S. Army, and more. She was an integral part of the development and management of retail exclusive programs for Mary-Kate & Ashley, Danskin Now, Kelly Ripa, Salma Hayek, and Chef Eric Adjepong. Her work has led Beanstalk to consistently rank as the third largest licensing agency in the industry, accounting for over $11 billion in retail sales on behalf of its clients in 2024. She has also championed Beanstalk’s learning and development, DEI practice, and community engagement programs. Under her leadership, Beanstalk has won over 30 industry awards and Ames herself was the recipient of License Global‘s 2018 Influentials Award and in 2022, she was named License Global’s The Influential.

Ames was presented by Michael Stone, Vice Chairman and Co-founder of Beanstalk and 2019 Licensing International Hall of Fame inductee.

Susan Brandt, President and CEO of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, was inducted for her global-reaching work in licensing. Since 1998, Brandt has led the global expansion of Theodor Seuss Geisel’s beloved brand from books into films, television, podcasts, stage productions, theme parks, experiences, cruises, digital games, museum exhibitions, and licensed products; all while safeguarding its integrity. She has brokered landmark deals, including Warner Animation Group films, Netflix preschool series, Carnival’s Seuss at Sea program, the Dr. Seuss Experience, and the Dr. Seuss Museum. Under her leadership, the multibillion-dollar franchise has grown its consumer products business and expanded into major markets around the world. Previously, Brandt held senior roles at 20th Century Fox, Miraval Resort, and E. & J. Gallo Winery. A Notre Dame and Northwestern Kellogg alum, she serves as an officer on the Geisel Seuss Enterprises Board, has held multiple non-profit board positions, and was named one of the Advanced Imaging Society’s Top 10 Women in Technology in 2019.

Brandt was presented by Kyle Zimmer, President, CEO and Co-founder of First Book.

Steven Ekstract, CEO and Chief Content Officer at entertainmentxtracks, received the nomination as an internationally recognized voice in brand licensing. Ekstract is Founder and Managing Director of Global Licensing Advisors, a boutique consultancy helping brands grow through licensing and collaborations, and the creator of X Tracks Licensing Summits, which focus on the industry’s future. He was also founding publisher of License Global magazine and Brand Director for Informa Markets’ Global Licensing Group, overseeing leading trade media and Licensing Expos worldwide. He is co-author of Brand Licensing for Dummies, serves on the Spielwarenmesse Trend Committee, and is a frequent global speaker. Earlier in his career, Ekstract held senior media roles at Video Pro, Premiere, and The Hollywood Reporter after beginning as a documentary producer at the Smithsonian Institution. He is an alumnus of the UN International School, American University, and Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.

Ekstract was presented by Ambassador A. Shabazz, Diplomat, Lecturer, Professor and Strategic Advisor for Corporations, Academia, Foundations and Global Forums.

The Hallmark brand and legacy, founded by J.C. Hall in 1910, has been a major force within the licensing industry. Hallmark forged the company’s first-ever licensing agreement in 1931 to use Disney characters on greeting cards, but this was just the start. The Hallmark brand has since achieved a lasting legacy in brand licensing through generations of leadership under the Hall family, including J.C. Hall; Donald Hall Sr.; Donald J. Hall Jr., Executive Chairman of Hallmark Cards Inc. Board of Directors; David E. Hall, Executive Vice Chairman of Hallmark Cards Inc. Board of Directors; and Andy Pence, VP of Gold Crown Customer Development. Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., Hallmark has a diverse portfolio of businesses, including Hallmark products and retail, Crayola, Hallmark Media, and Crown Center. The iconic brand has forged a path in the licensing industry, leading through innovation while bringing positivity, comfort, and connection into everyday life.

Accepting on behalf of the Hallmark brand and legacy was Andy Pence, VP of Gold Crown Customer Development at Hallmark Cards, presented by Darren Abbott, Chief Brand Officer | Hallmark and Hallmark Media.

Dolly Parton was honored for her impact on the industry by bridging her renowned entertainment career into a global licensing success story. A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and one of the most celebrated artists of all time, Parton has achieved historic success across music, publishing, film, and philanthropy. With 27 RIAA-certified gold, platinum, and multi-platinum awards, 25 Billboard Country #1 hits, 49 Top 10 country albums, and over 120 charted singles, she remains the most honored female country artist in history. Her 2023 album Rockstar marked the biggest debut sales week of her career and topped six Billboard charts, while her numerous bestselling books have earned her acclaim as an author. She has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, earned 11 Grammys, 10 CMAs, 13ACMs, and countless other honors, while maintaining one of the highest Q Scores in entertainment. Beyond her artistry, Dolly has donated over 302 million books through her Imagination Library, making her as beloved for her philanthropy as for her music, with timeless hits from “Coat of Many Colors” to “9 to 5.”

Accepting on behalf of Dolly Parton was Van Kokeh, Vice President, IMG Licensing.

Kevin Smith, film director, producer, writer, and actor, was honored for expansive work in licensing that has driven prominence for his work in mediums beyond film to reach fans through comic books, toys, podcasts, entertainment, and much more. The filmmaker rose to fame with his award-winning cult classic Clerks (1994), which introduced his iconic character Silent Bob. He went on to create what has since become known as the “View Askewniverse,” his canon of films including Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, and sequels through Clerks III. Since 2011, Smith has explored horror with films like Red State, Tusk, and Yoga Hosers, and most recently released The 4:30 Movie (2024). His celebrated film, Dogma, returned to Cannes Film Festival in May 2025 as part of their Cannes Classics Program. Beyond film, he owns the comic shop Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash, which became the setting for the television series Comic Book Men, and hosts popular podcasts on his SModcast Network. Known for his sharp humor, Smith has built a devoted global fanbase.

Smith was presented by Stuart Pollock, Chief Strategic Partnership Officer, Bridge Licensing Inc.

In addition to the 2025 Hall of Fame induction, the event recognized the industry’s rising talent with the 2025 Rising Star Awards. The nine Rising Star recipients continued the award’s tradition of honoring young professionals for driving the future of the global brand licensing industry forward. Additionally, 23 students from around the world were named recipients of the Licensing International Foundation 2025 Scholarship, celebrating accomplished students exploring a career in brand licensing. These scholarships are funded by donations from individuals, foundations, and companies that support our mission to empower students at all stages of their educational journey, including Mad Engine, Mattel, Paramount, and Raw Thrills.

“From industry veterans to global icons, this year’s nominees represent the wide-ranging possibilities of brand licensing and its influence across sectors,” said Maura Regan, President of Licensing International. “We’re proud to recognize such influential leaders while also celebrating emerging talent through our annual Rising Star Award and the Licensing International Foundation’s scholarship program. The Hall of Fame event unites our global community of leaders and underscores the far-reaching impact of licensing worldwide.”

The event was made possible by generous sponsors, including Paramount.

Nominations for the 2026 Hall of Fame are now open. To learn more about the Licensing International Foundation and support its ongoing mission to educate and inspire the next generation of licensing leaders, visit LicensingInternational.org/About/Foundation.

About Licensing International
Licensing International is the leading trade organization for the $369+ billion global licensing industry. Licensing International’s mission is to foster the growth and expansion of licensing around the world, raise the level of professionalism for licensing practitioners, and create greater awareness of the benefits of licensing to the business community at large. Founded in 1985, Licensing International members in over 40 countries enjoy access to an array of benefits, including extensive educational programming and worldwide networking events. Visit LicensingInternational.org for more information and to utilize licensing’s definitive online resource.

About Licensing International Foundation
The Licensing International Foundation was established in 2020 to mark a new chapter in the global association’s charitable initiatives and to continue its decades-long support of the brand licensing community. The Foundation is focused on the education of future licensing leaders through the Licensing International Scholarship Program, which awards grants to deserving individuals who are interested in a career in brand licensing. Visit https://licensinginternational.org/about/foundation/ for more information or to make a donation.