The ProfileLeigh Anne Brodsky '80By Michael Reardon
Even as an adult, Leigh Anne (Conyngham) Brodsky ’80, still loves cartoons and toys. That love has built Nickelodeon Network Inc.’s consumer products division into the world’s sixth largest licensing business—and the world’s largest licensing business based on TV-first properties. As president of Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products she leads and manages the global licensing and merchandising of Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and MTV consumer products, which total nearly $6 billion in retail sales. Brodsky has created a record-breaking licensing program for “Nick” characters and shows such as Dora the Explorer, Blue’s Clues, Rugrats, and that lovable yellow resident of Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob SquarePants. Her licensing and retail deals include some of the industry’s top brands, including Mattel, Fisher-Price, Target, Wal-Mart, American Greetings and Kraft Nabisco. Coming from a family with a long tradition of attending Jesuit schools, Holy Cross was a natural choice for Brodsky. Her father attended Fordham University in New York, and her brother and uncle attended John Carroll University in Cleveland. As a hardworking salesman, devoted family man and eternal optimist, Brodsky’s father was her biggest influence. Her mother was the rock of the family, who sacrificed a show business career to raise six children. At Holy Cross, Brodsky absorbed lessons that have served her well as a top executive. As an undergraduate, she learned to work collaboratively with other people to achieve a shared positive outcome. She also learned to think, write and question the common wisdom in classes such as those taught by Professor Edward Callahan on James Joyce and William Shakespeare. In addition to her academic studies, Brodsky worked with special needs citizens, interned at a local television station and joined the grounds crew through the College’s work-study program; she had been involved as well with a theater group—and served two years as a resident assistant. Recognized throughout her career for her leadership and expertise, Brodsky has been elected twice to the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers Association (LIMA) board of directors—the licensing industry’s governing body. Her proudest professional accomplishment, she says, was convincing that organization to adopt the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation as its official charity; Brodsky is currently a co-chair of LIMA’s Charity Committee. Because of her leadership, Nickelodeon has earned more than 30 industry awards—including major licensing and Parent’s Choice Award recognitions in the toy, video, interactive gaming and apparel categories. Next up for Brodsky is the launch of a new product line based on the popular Nick show iCarly, starring Miranda Cosgrove. Given Brodsky’s merchandising golden touch, iCarly products will likely take their place right alongside SpongeBob and Dora at the top of many a child’s Christmas list this year. Q&A: Where did you live on campus? What was your most memorable class at Holy Cross? What was your first job after you graduated from college? What is your favorite book, movie, album, play or other work of art? What was your favorite cartoon as a child? What are your most popular consumer products? Stats:
|
