The Source delves a bit deeper into the licensing lives of some high profile execs. Today, we fire our questions at Nickelodeon’s Ursula Morgan.
Ursula Morgan,
Director, Retail UK and Europe, Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products
My route into the licensing industry went something like this…
I applied for a job at Nickelodeon back in 2012 and I got it! I almost didn’t go for it as I wasn’t that keen on working in central London… I’m a Welsh Gower girl. The thought of the tube every day was a big no no. Now I love my commute. I get to read!
How many years in the industry?
Three and a half fantastic years. Time flies when you are having fun.
When I was growing up, I had no idea licensing was an industry so I wanted to be…
Like most kids I wanted to be a vet, but I soon realised I was nowhere near clever enough or academic enough. I then thought I wanted to be an interpreter. I like to talk so I thought it would be a sensible option.
The deal I am most proud of is…
I work in retail so for me it has to be the Argos Everyone’s a Winner Campaign. It’s in its fourth year now and still our biggest campaign.
My most interesting experience in licensing has been…
Every day is interesting – I mean it. If I had to narrow it down though I would say working on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles during a movie year. Lots of moving parts and opportunity! There is a second movie next year and it’s already been equally as exciting.
The best piece of advice I’ve ever received is…
It was from the sales and marketing director at a company I worked for back in Wales. He was a great mentor and always very calm and collected. He said “while presenting just remember to take your time and tell the story. It’s a great story! Don’t rush it and make sure you deliver what you set out to achieve” (in other words, don’t rush your sales pitch, mess it up and come back without an order).
If I wasn’t in licensing, I would be…
In a more traditional sales role. I would still be challenging myself to achieve the most, but I may not be working in such a dynamic and fun industry.
Who do you admire most in the industry (and why)?
The Nickelodeon team. In this short space of time I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with some truly excellent people and I have made some long lasting friendships. The camaraderie and networks are strong beyond belief and there is a real can do attitude.
In a film of your life, which licensed character would play you?
It would have to be Mikey from the Turtles. He loves his siblings and friends, is a team player, overcomes challenges with humour and positive energy and most of all because he loves pizza. For any industry colleagues who have been with me to Bar Italia early hours after a licensing industry event you know how much pizza I can devour!
If I could change anything about the industry, it would be…
Oh I’m going to have to be really cheesy and say nothing…. The best things are never quite perfect.
