LicensingSource.net finds out more about this year’s UK Rising Star nominees. Today, Retail Monster’s senior retail and brand manager, Tom Dimech.
Tom Dimech, senior retail and brand manager, Retail Monster
My route into licensing went something like this…
Seemingly like many people in the licensing industry, I fell into it almost by accident. My initial entry into licensing was looking at sustainable fashion, product sourcing, POD apparel.
How long in the industry?
5 years.
When I was growing up, I had no idea that ‘licensing’ was an industry, so I wanted to be…
The year was 1999, I had just watched Walking with Dinosaurs, and I proudly exclaimed that one day I would be a paleontologist.
Biggest inspiration in the licensing industry?
Gemma Witts – she was the first person to see my potential in the licensing industry, teach me the ropes, and trust that I could deliver.
Best thing about your current role?
I do very passionately care about and love that we are involved in making ‘things’, almost everything across the licensing spectrum is tactile and physical – I couldn’t work in a profession that was just moving numbers around spreadsheets.
What are you most proud of within your licensing career to date?
I’m incredibly privileged and very lucky to have been a part of the consumer products team that brought the summer of Barbie to retail – the whole team was incredibly ambitious in what we sought to achieve and I’m so pleased with how well it’s been received by retail, licensees, and consumers.
Licensed character you can most identify with (and why)?
I am forever a Star Wars nerd – my gut tells me to answer this question by saying Luke Skywalker or Han Solo, but at the risk of the nomination going to my head I’ll say R2-D2 – always part of the action!
What were your first thoughts when you were revealed as a nominee for the UK Rising Star Award?
I was incredibly honoured and proud to be nominated and recognised by my peers. For any young person in any industry I think you’re bound to ask yourself if you’ve found the industry you belong in and if you can have a full career in it. Hopefully this nomination is an indication that I’ll get to be in licensing for a long time.
The Licensing Awards 2023 takes place on Tuesday 12 September at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.
Tickets and tables can be reserved quickly and securely online by visiting Max-Tickets.net or by contacting Clare Hollick at Create Events: clare@createvents.co.uk or +44 (0)1183 340085.
