News

People Profile: Thomas Rivière, Head of Licensing & Global Brand Manager at Le Petit Prince Licensing

People Profile: Thomas Rivière, Head of Licensing & Global Brand Manager at Le Petit Prince Licensing image

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 profile one of these professionals in this ongoing series.

How did you get into licensing (or how did licensing find you)?
I was born in licensing! The Little Prince is a family business and, from day one, I was raised to become who I am now.

What’s a “typical” day in your current position?
Every day is a different day. In licensing you get to meet a toy manufacturer in the morning, have lunch with someone who owns an apparel brand, inaugurate an exhibition in the afternoon, and have dinner with a movie producer.

What’s your biggest personal or professional accomplishment?
Helping our brand to grow over the years while remaining true to our values and loyal to the people we work with. In licensing, every day you get to meet new and nice people. It’s a job where creating bonds is important.

What are the most significant trends or changes that you’ve seen in the business in recent years?
Retail is in movement, always changing, always evolving. Our job is to make sure we keep track, and be the first one on the new trends that fit our values.

What keeps you up at night? What’s your biggest challenge these days?
Our biggest challenge is to stay loyal to the fans. Our job is to never disappoint them. The Little Prince is important to every reader and every client, so we need to make sure we make the right decisions and work with the best licensees.

In your opinion, what is the top skill every licensing executive should have in order to succeed?
Do not stay in your office, and do not take anything for granted. Be in the field and be aware of what’s happening out there—visit book stores and gift shops, travel, and meet new people. Movement is the key.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received, or what’s your favorite quote?
Licensing is about teamwork. You will achieve more with good teammates. My favorite quote is from the Little Prince: “You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.”

What is your favorite licensing deal of all time? (It doesn’t have to be one that was signed by you.)
The one we signed for the Little Prince’s 80th birthday in 2026! You will get surprised!

If you weren’t in licensing, what would you be doing now?
Working for the comic book industry, not far from licensing.

The last licensed product I bought was…
A Spider-Man LEGO Minifig.

  • Copyright © 2025 Licensing International. All rights reserved.
  • Translation provided by Google Translate, please pardon any shortcomings

    int(232)