The Licensing Story of Bill Uglow
It all started with this man, Barton K. Boyd. He hired Bill Uglow at Disney at Walt Disney World, right out of grad school. They opened the property together. Bill grew to become his number two. Bo was Vice President Disney Consumer Products. Bill was his Director of Disney Merchandise.
Walt Disney is considered the “Father of Licensing”. Bill was assigned to learn and oversee the Walt Disney World Licensing effort. That was his first licensing assignment.
Mr. Uglow was assigned to open the first Disney Store. He looked all over the country at auctions, flea markets, estate sales, and memorabilia shows for Disney licensed merchandise from the 1930’s, 1940’s ….considered the golden years of Disney Consumer Products. That was the forerunner of the modern day Disney Store.
As VP/GM of Tomy Corporation,a toy company Bill developed multiple licensed properties.
As VP Consumer Products for MGM Grand, Mr. Uglow introduced licensing to the hotel industry. The licensing approach was Betty Boop taking on the role as a Las Vegas showgirl. Her image was put onto gaming chips and on the green felt of gaming tables. The best selling T-shirt was an image of Betty Boop throwing money into the air with the caption “Girls Just Wanna Have Funds”. Betty Boop even became a bar in the hotel. The merchandise product count was over 100 items and sales were in the seven figures annually.
As VP Consumer Products for Mandalay Resort Group, Bill was in charge of 250,000 products. He licensed, not NikeTown, but the first Nike Golf Store in the world.
As VP Merchandise and Licensing for Professional Bull Riders, Bill developed all their licensed product.
As VP Consumer Product and Licensing for United Football League, Bill developed the licensed product for the teams around the country.
Mr. Uglow was EVP/CMO for the leading legends licensing company in the world, CMG Worldwide.
Bill Uglow has licensed hundreds of products from the King Features Library.
Recently sold licenses:
Elvis Presley Whiskey
Recently sold licenses:
SunKist salad dressings.
Recently sold licenses:
Popeye frozen spinach
Recently sold licenses:
Artist Romero Britto (www.Britto.com) carpeting.
Recently sold licenses:
Artist Romero Britto (www.Britto.com) shoe license sold to PUMA
Recently sold licenses:
Hostess Brands into the Halloween costume category. See it on WalMart.com
Today, Bill is CEO of Uglow Consulting. He is continuing to license the most important brands in the world.