BLE Lines Up “The Big Interview”

LONDON: Ralph Straus, the head of strategy and brand management at FIFA, has been tapped as this year’s Big Interview at Brand Licensing Europe (BLE).

Straus will share insights into how the world football governing body is managing its global licensing program in the run up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup and beyond. Straus has been with FIFA since 2005, overseeing a number of the group’s marketing departments, including brand management, marketing communication and research.

“We are delighted that Ralph is to be our big interviewee this year,” said Jessica Blue, Brand Licensing Europe’s show director. “It gives those in the licensing industry a unique chance to hear from a sports giant on managing such enormous projects in-house, and just some of the challenges it faces in major events licensing.”