Chris Protheroe President and Group Managing Director
As President and Group Managing Director, Chris Protheroe handles all operational aspects of the company worldwide. He joined CPLG in 1999 as Head of Sports, Europe and was responsible for the company's worldwide licensing campaign for 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™ and EURO 2000™. He continues to oversee the campaigns for England's two leading national sports bodies, The Football Association and the Rugby Football Union, as well as managing the global licensing and sponsorship programme for St Andrews Links, The Home of Golf.
Previously, Chris was European Vice President for Sony Signatures and was responsible for the licensing programme for World Cup France 1998. He has also held senior licensing positions with the BBC, Marvel, Penguin Books and Yorkshire Tyne-Tees Television.
Chris completed his education at the Berkshire College, Windsor and the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.
Cindy Davis SVP of Licensing, CPLG U.S.
Cindy brings more than 15 years of licensing experience to CPLG U.S. and plays a pivotal role in the development and implementation of domestic licensing and merchandising programs for a variety of properties including Strawberry Shortcake, Busytown Mysteries and Lucha Libre AAA.
Prior to joining CPLG, Cindy was a partner at Bomes Davis Branding where she worked with numerous clients including Sony Pictures and IDT Entertainment. She previously worked for DIC Entertainment, Fox Family Worldwide/Saban and The Coca-Cola Company.
Cindy earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Journalism from Memphis State University.
Kelly Elwood Managing Director, CPLG Canada
With more than 20 years of licensing and marketing experience, Kelly has extensive knowledge of the global children's market, project management and brand management. She currently oversees all Canadian licensing programs and partnerships for top Cookie Jar brands including Caillou, Strawberry Shortcake and Richard Scarry as well as third party properties such as It's Happy Bunny, The World of Eric Carle, The Latest Buzz and Pink Cookie.
Kelly previously worked for numerous large children and family-oriented consumer product companies including Mattel Canada Inc., Thomas J. Lipton (Unilever), Robin Hood MultiFoods Inc. and Avon.
She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Marketing with a Finance minor from Concordia University.
Elsa Gomes Managing Director, CPLG Spain and Portugal
Elsa joined CPLG in 1992 and is responsible for the overall management, marketing and sales for CPLG's offices in Spain and Portugal.
Prior to joining CPLG, Elsa worked for a leading media and book publisher, Impala, in a number of capacities including Editor of books for children and young women. She also served as a Senior Marketing Executive for PSM, a Portuguese licensing agency.
Elsa holds a Bachelor of Languages degree in English and German, and a business administration secretarial and a post graduate degree in General Business Management.
Joachim Knödler Managing Director, CPLG Germany
Joachim Knödler is responsible for the overall management, marketing and sales of the German office. He joined CPLG Germany in 2003 as Director of Sales and Retail.
Joachim previously served as Client Service Director of Simon Marketing/The Marketing Store where he headed up the McDonald account team. For seven years, he held a number of executive marketing positions with Hasbro Germany, working with top brands such as Action Man, Star Wars, Pokemon and Monopoly.
Joachim earned an MBA from University of Frankfurt.
Vince Marchica SVP, Creative Services
With nearly 30 years of experience in design and consumer products, Vince oversees the creative development and execution of Cookie Jar's consumer products division. He has led the product development group for domestic and international licensing of top brands including Strawberry Shortcake, McDonald's and Mommy & Me.
Vince previously worked for The Walt Disney Company and Synergistic Research Corporation.
Vince earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Rhode Island School of Design.
Marina Narishkin Managing Director, CPLG France
Marina Narishkin joined CPLG France in 1993 as a Sales Executive. Two years later, she was promoted to Managing Director of the French office which has grown tremendously under her leadership. She helped start the French Licensing Federation.
Before joining CPLG, Marina served as a Press Attaché for Européenne de Relations Publiques and TGA.
Marina has an extensive international background, having studied in Thailand, The Netherlands, in St Petersburg, Russia at the Pushkin Institute and in the United States.
Vickie O'Malley Managing Director, CPLG UK
Vickie O'Malley has been Managing Director of CPLG UK, Entertainment since 2004, where she is responsible for the overall management, marketing and sales for the UK office. She joined CPLG as a Retail Manager and later served as Sales and Retail Director.
A well-known licensing professional, Vickie brings retail and toy industry experience to the role. She served as Advertising and Promotions Manager for the Entertainment Division of UK retail giant Woolworths. Vickie then moved to Hasbro, the UK's number one toy and games' company, where she headed up the trade marketing team and worked on top brands such as Action Man, Star Wars and Monopoly.
Vickie has a 2:1 in Business from Manchester Metropolitan University.
