(Cincinnati, Ohio)  February 11, 2013 – The Valen Group, a leading growth strategy consulting, innovation and strategic brand licensing firm specializing in food and beverage partnerships, announces that Sean Heitkemper has joined the firm as Director of Business Development.
Sean brings a wealth of experience in identifying and developing new client relationships.  His background includes over 15 years winning new client relationships for marketing, branding and licensing agencies with leading companies across a wide range of categories including, food & beverage, household care & cleaning, sporting goods, health & beauty, technology, home appliances & electronics, outdoor products, not-for-profit and more.
Prior to joining The Valen Group, Sean’s work included winning new relationships and managing the development and execution of consumer product brand licensing programs for over 75 iconic consumer product brands. Sean has played a leading role in developing and implementing market-leading portfolios of licensed products for leading companies including, Kraft Foods, S.C. Johnson, General Mills, Sunkist, Wrigley, Chiquita, Anheuser-Busch, Dole, Remington, Wrangler, Borghese, Philosophy, Pure Fishing and more.
Sean has been a featured speaker at The Licensing Show and has authored articles on brand strategy and licensing for prominent trade publications including, The Licensing Journal, Retailing Today, Progressive Grocer, and Private Label Magazine.
About The Valen Group
The Valen Group is a growth and innovation firm with integrated services in strategy and innovation consulting, market research and strategic brand licensing. The Valen Group’s mission is to foster a creative entrepreneurial spirit to inspire people to find new ways to compete and develop significant new revenue opportunities. For over a decade, The Valen Group has advised global innovation Fortune 100  leaders and developed strategic brand licensing programs for brands and national restaurants.
For more information contact:
Janna Markle
513-842-6318
Janna.markle@valengroup.com