Get to know about the ICLA membership through the monthly 20 Questions segment. This month the spotlight turns to Sam MacDonald, director of trademark & licensing at Gonzaga University.
Name: Sam MacDonald
Position/Institution: Director of Trademark & Licensing, Gonzaga University
Number of years in your position: 3
Alma Mater(s): Gonzaga University
Hometown: Great Falls, MT
Twitter (person): @_SMMacDonald
Twitter (licensing): We use our athletics account @GonzagaBulldogs
1. Why did you become involved in ICLA?
I got involved with the ICLA Community to learn as much as I could from those with prior experiences, since this was a new position for Gonzaga at the time.
2. How has your involvement with ICLA influenced your career?
Being what I would consider fairly new to the licensing family, the resources, questions and responses on the ICLA Community are helpful to read and search to assist with questions you may not know how to respond to at the time.
3. If you could choose one (1) amenity to add to the workplace, what would it be?
Definitely stand up desks as lately I have been sore from activities that only get worse sitting.
4. What is the biggest challenge to working in a university environment?
The ability to continue to educate both the student body and faculty/staff each year with the consistent turnover of both student group board members and positions. It is important to continue annual meetings and connecting with those that may be stakeholders in the processes.
5. What is the most important skill you have developed in your career?
Customer Service! No matter the job or position, we are all providing a service and it is important to treat each customer as you would want to be treated, even with the difficult scenarios.
6. What hobby would you get into if time and money weren't an issue?
I'm a big DIY person, so if I had more time (and money) I'd probably get into flipping houses or something of that nature.
7. When people come to you for help, what do they usually want help with?
It varies, with my background in sales as a licensee, many times it is product knowledge or which licensee(s) may be able to assist them with their project. Other times, I am typically asked from campus groups about logo use or verifying what they are wanting to do is allowed.
8. Why/when did you decide to pursue a career in collegiate licensing?
As my family always said, they believed I would eventually go to work at Gonzaga. I never really thought about it with my prior job, until the discussions occurred. Having been a licensee and involved with Gonzaga pretty much since graduation, it seemed like a great fit. I couldn't be more ecstatic for making the transition and improving the Trademark & Licensing department for the university.
9. Who has been the most influential person in your career?
Steve L., whom I worked with in the sporting good sales industry, helped me to understand the importance of logos, colors, and proper use to all entities whether protected or not. Additionally, the importance of customer service (which carries over to all careers), and going beyond to try to make everyone's process easier.
10. If you didn't have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?
Fish and hunt as much as I could, never enough time to get outdoors.
11. Who's your role model? Why?
Without question my parents. Their support in attending all of my activities throughout the years and the travel time to do so, all while continuing to excel in their jobs. Their ability to maintain one job throughout the entirety of their lives, to see the rewards of doing so and continually striving to get better at what they did to transition within their companies.
12. What's your favorite quote?
"Why should I stretch? Does a cheetah stretch before it chases it prey?" (Hence my never taking enough time to stretch – something I'm trying to improve).
13. What is your biggest pet peeve?
Drivers not properly using their turn signals.
14. If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you have a good chance at winning medal a for?
Eating either the most cookie dough or rice crispy treats in one sitting.
15. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? What advice would you give to someone looking to enter the field of collegiate licensing?
To take things in stride and work through items calmly and diligently to ensure good "customer service." Advice I would give is to come in open-minded and willing to take a lot in. I have a good feel for what the licensing aspects of the jobs were, but never realized the involvement of the legal department on campus and how much the legal team helps with misunderstanding of logo use.
16. In your opinion, where is collegiate licensing headed in the future?
I agree with most conversations that online is going to continue to grow, especially with the ever-changing abilities within social media. Retail will most likely continue to fade; however, having been on the other end as a licensee, a big focus for me is the ability to make connections with the University for events and promotions. I believe retail will be a key element for promoting items in the fan and alumni population areas.
17. What is your favorite family tradition?
4th of July at the lake – fishing, neighborhood parade, and good ol' fun.
18. What are you really good at, but kind of embarrassed that you are good at it?
Picking any type of veggie off food (especially pizza), not missing any. I'm all about meat, potatoes, cheese, ketchup and ranch.
19. What percentage of your work-week is spent in your office?
I still spend about 90% of my time in the office/campus meetings, that tends to change certain times of the year as there is more hype around product. With better procedures in place now, I'm beginning to be more involved in the promotion of product, which will likely reduce the amount of office time.
20. What are you most looking forward to at the next ICLA Convention or Winter Symposium?
As of 2019 I have not been to one, but definitely hoping to come in 2020. I look forward to meeting more individuals, getting more acquainted with the ICLA community and learning more thoughts on the direction of licensing, retail, and distribution in our industry.