The launch of a boutique theatrical licensing firm has been announced. Named the Licensing House, the company will be dedicated to providing personalized, strategically driven representation for stage properties to troupes around the world.
As part of its inaugural slate of titles, the Licensing House will feature the 2023 Broadway musical “Harmony,” which features music by Barry Manilow and a book and lyrics by Bruce Sussman — in addition to a growing collection of new plays and musicals.
“After years of building and leading large global catalogs, I wanted to create a home where each show receives the kind of bespoke attention and long-range planning it truly deserves,” said Cercone in a statement. “The Licensing House is intentionally selective. Our job is to fiercely protect the work, amplify its reach and architect smart, sustainable strategies so these stories can live on more stages, in more communities, for many years to come.”
Cercone previously founded and served as chief executive of Broadway Licensing Global (BLG) and the Emmy Award-nominated Broadway on Demand. BLG was acquired by Concord Theatricals earlier this year. Through BLG, per the company’s own records, Cercone oversaw licensing for more than 24,000 productions annually, collaborating with over 2,800 authors across more than 8,000 titles.
“I’ve been fortunate to see how powerful the right licensing team can be for a show’s life,” Cercone added. “With these seasoned industry professionals on our leadership team, the Licensing House will work hand-in-hand with authors and rights holders to think holistically about professional, international, amateur and educational markets, building a long-term roadmap instead of just processing paperwork.”
The leadership team for the Licensing House also includes David Abbinanti, vice president of content, and Scott Prisand, vice president of business development. The Licensing House has partnered with the Kaufer Group (led by Zach Kaufer) to head global distribution strategies tailored to each creative team’s specific vision.
