46-47 LSB 2020 John McInnerny_muk.qxp_NEW LSB 2008 GRID 06/07/2020 11:57 Page 46
IN CONVERSATION WITH… JOHN MCINNERNY
The gospel of John From accountancy to licensing – via an appearance on a front cover of Mills and Boon – John McInnerny has been one of the constant presences in the business, with many coming into contact with his independent agency, Allsorts Licensing. As he moves into semi-retirement, LSB catches up with him to find out his thoughts on the business, pick his brains for advice and find out what’s next.
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deally, chatting to Allsorts Licensing’s John McInnerny about his long career in the rights and licensing business would have taken place over a leisurely lunch. Due to COVID-19 this unfortunately wasn’t to be, but that certainly doesn’t stop his journey from accountancy firm to the licensing agent we all know and love being any less interesting. Over the course of his career, John has worked with brands including Andy Capp, Betty Boop, Che Guevara, CowParade, David & Goliath, Dogs In Da Hood, Felix the Cat, Flash Gordon, Hagar, Hamsta World, Lassie, The Lone Ranger, The Muppets, Popeye and Olive Oyl, The Smurfs and Yoga Cats and Dogs among others. He set up Allsorts Licensing just
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LICENSING SOURCE BOOK EUROPE 2020
Inset: John with David Chown (left) and Russell Schooley (right) from long-standing Betty Boop licensee, C&S Collectables. Bottom: Bershka was a key deal for Betty Boop.
over 20 years ago, telling LSB: “I was lucky as King Features and IMPS came with me, so it gave me a good base to build the business. I can remember my first deal as it was a non-deal. I was out for lunch in Huntingdon and saw a fruit machine which was a play on words with one of our brands. The artwork was also similar. There was no admittance of guilt but a fee was agreed which was a nice first month invoice! They also agreed to discontinue the model.” John’s relationship with King Features has endured through the years but there have been major deals throughout his career across all clients. “On Betty Boop, the deals signed long ago with Fashion UK and BB Designs were, I believe, the first licence that either company took and they have become stalwart licensees in the industry,” says John. “In the statue/figurine business, JJ Vaillant and Wade Collectors Club have longevity, with the latter having been a licensee for 25 years. Also getting listings like the one in Bershka by Park Agencies is key for any brand; it helps build the story.”