NEW YORK — Steven J. Seidman, founder and chairman of InGroup Licensing, died Feb. 16 at Sloan-Kettering Memorial Hospital here after a nearly 20-year battle with cancer. He was 56.
Seidman had more than 25 years of experience in trademark licensing, having served as president of licensing for Guess and BUM Equipment prior to opening InGroup in 1993. He also held senior management positions with Gloria Vanderbilt and Jordache Jean Co.
InGroup, based at 1370 Broadway here, focuses on licensing products for fashion and lifestyle brands, and has worked with companies such as True Religion, Paper Denim & Cloth, Mudd and Hummel.
“He was tenacious and honest, and wanted to do the best he could for both sides,” said Dick Gilbert, founder of the Mudd brand, who worked with Seidman and InGroup for years.
Gilbert attributes the growth of the Mudd portfolio of products largely to Seidman’s efforts.
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Seidman, a graduate of Roosevelt University in Chicago, consulted on a range of licensing and marketing programs for brands such as Apple Computer, Ben Sherman, Wimbledon, Maserati and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
He is survived by his wife, Judi; a daughter, Sari, and a son, Jonathan.
The family has asked that any donations in his memory be made to the American Cancer Society, where he was an active volunteer.