Kirk Martensen is an independent consultant and leading practitioner of brand extension licensing with significant experience in consumer packaged goods. Kirk has worked with a broad range of manufacturers, distributors, and retailers such as DuPont, Brown-Forman, HJ Heinz, IBM, Safeway, Walmart and Whirlpool. Over his career, Kirk has led the development of licensed products that have collectively generated in excess of $1 billion in annual retail sales.

From 1991 to 1999, Kirk worked with Equity Management Inc. (EMI) a leading corporate trademark licensing firm. While at EMI, Kirk served as Director of Brand Extension Licensing and Senior Vice President of Business Development when he developed over 50 licensed businesses, many of which generated millions of dollars in royalty revenue.

From 1985 to1988, Kirk was Director of Franchising for Fun Foods, Inc., franchisor of Wizards Ice Cream Magic. Kirk developed and managed the franchise sales and marketing program and secured twelve new franchisees that purchased the rights for 73 units. Kirk also was responsible for assisting senior management in developing the company’s Initial Public Stock Offering.

Kirk is the author of the Used Car Seller’s Guide, a mass market paperback, and he has written a number of papers on the theory and practice of brand extension licensing. Kirk also founded and continues to serve as Managing Director for Handkind, a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that develops children’s health programs.

Kirk received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business from DePaul University in 1981. At DePaul, he was a member of Delta-Mu-Delta, and recognized as a national honorary in its College of Commerce. Kirk also was a Realtor licensed in Illinois and obtained a SEC Series 7 Securities license. Kirk’s home is in Chicago, Illinois.