Consultant in Licensing, Brand and Product Development
Jerry Houle has one of the longest and strongest experience records in the licensing world having served as a Licensor, Licensee, Licensing Agent, Business-School Professor and Consultant. He is one of the eight founders of the world’s professional licensing association and author of the original Charter. In 1997, LIMA nominated Bliss House as "Licensing Agency of the Year" for its work on Curious George. Houle founded The Regal Licensing Group to manage The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund Licensing for the Americas. In June 2003, he wrote and taught the world’s first MBA-level course on Licensing (Babson College and LIMA). It is now a permanent part of the curriculum there and at the Institute of Art at Sotheby’s NYC, a graduate school from the world’s oldest auction house. He’s taught this course at Illinois State University, the Seoul Character Fair and Sotheby’s London. Bliss House will celebrate its 24th Anniversary in November 2008. Houle celebrated his 30th year as a full-time licensing professional in March 2007.
Bliss House, Inc., Founder, President, Treasurer - 1984 to present
Bliss House grew to become one of the top ten independent licensing agencies in America. Houle is a frequent speaker at conferences on licensing and children’s brand and product development and authored articles for over a dozen trade publications. Bliss House is known for originating programs for Babar, Curious George, Chaplin, General Motors and most recently Taggies, Inc., the infant products brand that Houle helped grow explosively as its licensing agent, co-head of product development and marketing. Bliss House has a successful record as a product development company, putting 3M Corp., for example, into children’s products; the products completely sold out in the first year on the market.
Sotheby’s Institute of Art (Graduate School - Art Business) NY, Adjunct Professor of Licensing - 2007 to present
Course is now a permanent part of the curriculum.
Babson College, Arthur M. Blank Center for Entrepreneurship, Adjunct Professor of Licensing - 2000 to present
Babson College is the world’s top-rated entrepreneurship program. Co-author of four Case Studies on licensing. Created, teaches a LIMA-endorsed course “The Art of Licensing”, now a permanent part of the curriculum.
DMB&B Licensing Group, Co-founder, Director (Joint-Venture with Bliss House) - 1989-1993
First licensing company owned by an advertising and communications agency. Established worldwide licensing programs for General Motors’ Cadillac, Pontiac, Saturn, Buick and Anheuser-Busch Europe. Created international network to execute licensing worldwide.
Milton Bradley Company, Corporate Vice President of Licensing - 1983-1984
Founded the licensing service and supported 17 divisions worldwide in the acquisition of licenses, managed the licensing of Milton Bradley-owned brands including Playskool.
Jim Henson’s Muppets, Vice President Marketing, Worldwide - 1977-1983
Entered as the 25th employee and second person in the company that owned a tie. Founded 8 divisions including a licensing program in 16 countries establishing The Muppets as a broadly diversified entertainment company. During this time, Houle and seven others founded the first professional licensing association in the world. Houle authored the original charter and has served for a number of years as board member, officer, volunteer, speaker and author.
Fisher-Price Toys division of Quaker Oats, Advertising and Sales Promotion Manager - 1972-1977
Deputy of an award-winning advertising, promotion and packaging department. Authored the first Licensing White Paper for Fisher-Price explaining the industry, its assets and challenges. Acted as chief liaison with Jim Henson’s Muppets on a range of licensed toys for The Muppet Show. The success of this relationship resulted in Henson asking him to join his growing company as the first marketing person.
EDUCATION:
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, BFA Radio/Television/Motion Pictures - 1967
Columbia University School of Business, Masters Degree Program for Executives - 1982
Bliss House, Inc. 785 William St. #220, Longmeadow, MA 01106
TEL: 860-698-6522, CELL: 413-237-6299, FAX: 860-763-0443, EMAIL: jerry@blisshouse.com, www.blisshouse.com
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