Beth was born on September 29,1953, and was a lifelong New Yorker. She graduated from Queens College in 1976. Her dream was to be a professional dancer which she had the training and skills to accomplish. While problems with her legs ended this dream, she remained passionate about dancing and the arts until the very end.
Upon graduation Beth was accepted into Macy’s Executive Training Program where she gained her buying office and store line experience. In 1979, she became a merchandiser in the corporate office of BATUS (British American Tobacco US) who took an aggressive position in retail to diversify their business by absorbing an array of national accounts that included Saks Fifth Avenue, Marshall Field’s, Gimbels and Kohl’s. Her role was to source home goods for these prominent retailers and execute corporate programs which resulted in sourcing trips worldwide with a major concentration in Europe and Asia.
In 1986, Beth was recruited by Spencer Gifts. In her role, she identified the potential of capitalizing on the growing importance of licensing. Beth was named one of the first Vice Presidents of Licensing for a retailer in the country which is common today. She was also one of the early adopters of a Direct to Retailer licensing contract which resulted in a successful track record of identifying and exploiting trending licenses. Beth also played a role in the growth of Licensing International (formerly LIMA-Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association) almost from its beginning in 1985. Licensing International is the leading trade association for the global brand licensing industry. She was twice elected to their Board of Directors, served several years as a LIMA Retail Officer and LIMA’s first Charity Chairperson where she had the honor to have inaugurated the Licensing Industry’s Charity focus, The Hole in The Wall Gang Camp in Ashford, Ct. started by Paul Newman. This organization provides programs free of charge for seriously ill children and their families.
In 2006, Beth started her own company, Beth Schlansky,Inc. where she became a licensing agent that offered support and consulting services for licensors, manufacturers and retailers. She utilized her 30+ years of domestic and international experience to assist her customers in obtaining licenses for major studios, music labels, publishers and artists, gaming properties, sports licensors, anime, corporate brands, etc. to accelerate sales opportunities for their products. Beth’s influence touched many industries. With her guidance and involvement, hundreds of successful licensed opportunities have been launched at Mass Marketers, Specialty, Warehouse, TV and On-Line Retailers.
Beth has been featured in the Complete Business of Licensing Guide and selected as an “Influencer” by License Magazine. She has moderated and spoken at Licensing and Toy Industry’s events and has written for the Licensing Industry’s trade publications on licensing, retail concerns and opportunities.
Surviving is her loving husband, George Velasco. She is predeceased by her parents, Morris and Lilian, and her beloved canine companion, Ana.
Services will be held on Friday August 2nd, 1pm, at Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel, 1076 Madison Ave. New York, NY 10028.
No flowers. Please consider a donation to the Carl Schurz Park Conservancy. Beth has a bench there dedicated to her pups Ana and Myra. Beth described the park as “"My" garden is a block away and transports me to a world of nature's beauty!” https://www.carlschurzparknyc.org/
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