The Art of Licensing - June 2008 - (Page 12) Following Tradition Leading Licensors list, which debuted in April. Joanne Olds, president, The Buffalo Works says, “Licensing the Jim Shore brand has dramatically enhanced the business at retail. Last year, the brand generated $178 million at retail, and the previous year, it raked in $120 million.” Prior to Shore’s success with his current company Jim Shore Designs, which is driven by licensing, Shore founded Designs Americana, in an effort to market his sculptures. As with most new businesses, it was tough in the beginning. “We went to our first show with a few sculptures and no real plan for how we’d fulfill any orders,” recalls Shore. “We didn’t have a factory, warehouse, or a staff in place. It was pretty much a wish in one hand and hope in the other. Luckily we made the right contacts and it all worked out.” Within three years, Designs Americana grew into a company of 350 employees and more orders than could be filled. As is the case with many successful artists, the demands of managing Designs Americana made it difficult for Shore to concentrate on his artwork. “I needed to focus exclusively on the creative and artistic elements of my work, and that meant finding the right business partner to handle the three-piece suit side of the business,” he says. There was no better partner than Enesco. In 2000, Shore inked his first agreement for Heartwood Creek by Jim Shore—a collection of seasonal and 12 THE ART OF LICENSING Summer 2008 http://www.sparefingers.com http://www.sparefingers.com http://www.intercontinental-ltd.com http://www.intercontinental-ltd.com
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