Lynn Smith

Director of Business Development

Ruckus Media Group

Lynn Smith is a 15 year veteran of the Licensing/Publishing/Entertainment industry. She began her career in the Publishing Department of the National Football League, working with licensees to create a series of kids fictional football stories and the NFL Family Cookbook. From there, she went to work for an independent movie studio running regional promotions for various independent films starring Twisted Sister's Dee Snider, Rosie Perez, and Owen Wilson. Following that, Lynn moved back into Publishing in the Children's Division of Simon & Schuster. There for 7 years, Lynn worked in numerous capacities including marketing, brand management, licensed acquisitions, film rights sales, licensing out brands owned by S&S, including Raggedy Ann and Nancy Drew, and delivering Business Reviews for licensor partners (including Nickelodeon).

In 2007, Lynn was hired as Scholastic Inc's Director of Licensed Publishing, to manage all licensed acquisitions and editorial. There, Lynn oversaw books based on Lego, Star Wars, Pokemon, Ben 10, Harry Potter movies, Lalaloopsy, Power Rangers, and more. In 2011, Lynn was hired by Rick Richter (CEO of Ruckus Media Group) as Director of New Business Development, primarily responsible for acquiring licensed properties for digital interactive storybooks. Such partnerships include Hasbro, SeaWorld, Dino Dan, NCircle Entertainment, Razor & Tie music, VeggieTales, Crayola & more. It turns out that as part of a startup, the Director of New Business Development also runs the Facebook page, reviews contracts, writes ad copy, manages calendars, and is occasionally responsible for bringing in donuts.

Speaking at: eReading Download