Michael Stone (licensing expert)

Michael S. Stone is a co-founder and current president and chief executive officer of The Beanstalk Group, a brand licensing agency and consultancy. [ [http://www.hoovers.com/beanstalk-group/--ID__106569--/free-co-factsheet.xhtml "Beanstalk Group - Company Overview"] . Hoovers.] [ [http://www.licensing.org/agents/company_info.cfm?coid=2940 "Company Information"] . Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association.] In 1992, Stone founded The Beanstalk Group with his partner, Seth M. Siegel. The company is now part of the Diversified Agency Services division of Omnicom Group and is a member of the Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA). [Danny Hakim (October 21, 2005). [http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/21/business/21ford.html?scp=3&sq=the%20beanstalk%20group&st=cse "Ford Reports a Loss and Expects 'Significant Plant Closings' "] , "The New York Times".] [cite press release |title=The Beanstalk Group Joins Omnicom |publisher=Omnicom Group |date=October 20, 2005 |url=http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=102269&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=770784&highlight=]

Stone is often quoted in publications, including Advertising Age [http://www.beanstalk.com/aboutus/inthenews/AdvertisingAge050707.pdf?search_offset=0&search_order_by=score&search_phrase=has%2Bfor%2BMustang,%2BStanley] , Brandweek [Eric Newman (September 17, 2007). [http://www.brandweek.com/bw/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003641100 "Split Personality"] , "Brandweek".] , The New York Times Magazine [Rob Walker (May 18, 2008). [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/18/magazine/18rebranding-t.html?scp=2&sq=the%20beanstalk%20group&st=cse "Can a Dead Brand Live Again?"] , "The New York Times".] , USA Today [http://www.beanstalk.com/aboutus/inthenews/usatoday4-16-08.pdf] , The Wall Street Journal [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119448403906785900.html] , Dow Jones [http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20080624-710009.html] , Women's Wear Daily [http://www.wwd.com/notavailable/archive?target=/search/article/123750&articleId=123750&articleType=A&industryKw=search&industryKw2=searcharticle] , Financial Times [http://search.ft.com/ftArticle?queryText=%22the+beanstalk+group%22&aje=true&id=070501000600&ct=0] and Drapers [http://www.drapersonline.com/news/analysis/a_licence_to_print_money.html] . He has also penned columns for AdAge.com, Brandweek [http://www.brandweek.com/bw/esearch/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003813644] and Brandchannel [http://www.brandchannel.com/brand_speak.asp?bs_id=189] , and appeared on broadcast outlets as an industry expert, including Fox Business News “Money for Breakfast.” [http://www.foxbusiness.com/video/index.html?referralObject=2327035]

He has been involved in licensing programs for the Ford Motor Company [http://www.mediapost.com/publications/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.san&s=60186&Nid=30301&p=337411] , Harley-Davidson [http://www.licensemag.com/licensemag/data/articlestandard//licensemag/332005/174785/article.pdf] , The Stanley Works [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/18/magazine/18rebranding-t.html?pagewanted=4&emc=rss&partner=rssnyt] , Universal Studios, The Andy Warhol Foundation [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/26/fashion/26warhol.html?pagewanted=print] , and mary-kateandashley (Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s line). [http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,624906,00.html]

Over the years, Stone has served as the licensing adviser or agent for McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Columbia Sportswear and the U.S. Olympic Committee. [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119448403906785900.html] [http://www.allbusiness.com/marketing-advertising/marketing-techniques/6751900-1.html] [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb4953/is_200108/ai_n18138671]

Recently, Stone established Beanstalk Charities, a fund for charitable donations, and Beanstalk Hands-On, a program which offers employees up to one week each year of paid leave to provide hands-on volunteer support for community activities. [http://www.licensemag.com/licensemag/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=442270&sk=&date=&pageID=2]

He graduated from Hamilton College and Emory University School of Law. Stone began his legal career as a law clerk for a U.S. District Court judge and then practiced law with an intellectual property law firm in New York City, prior to embarking upon his career in licensing representation.

References

External Links

* [http://www.beanstalk.com/ The Beanstalk Group Web site]