BBC Worldwide Names SVP Global Licensing

NEW YORK: Tom Keefer is joining BBC Worldwide in the role of senior VP of global licensing, relocating from California to take on responsibilities as of May 18.

Keefer will be tasked with growing licensing opportunities across BBC Worldwide’s portfolio of children’s and adult brands, with initial focus on the U.S. market. He will report to Neil Ross Russell, the managing director of BBC Worldwide Children’s and Licensing, and Garth Ancier, the president of BBC Worldwide America.

With 30 years of global licensing and brand-building experience, Keefer has spearheaded the development of licensing programs for some of the world’s most prestigious businesses and brands including L.A. Gear, K-Swiss, Mattel and, most recently, for FIFA/2010 World Cup.

Ross Russell commented: “One of our core objectives when restructuring the business last year was examining untapped potential in territories outside the U.K., especially the U.S. where such a high proportion of the world’s licensing revenue is made. Tom is the ideal candidate to drive growth in this fundamental part of our business—he brings a wealth of invaluable experience—which will inform a new global licensing strategy to maximize value from our fantastic portfolio of brands both in the U.S. and across the rest of the world.”

Keefer added: “I’m honored to be joining the BBC Worldwide team to further develop global licensing initiatives for such an impressive portfolio of world-class intellectual property.”