Suzanne Cruise

Suzanne Cruise – an accomplished artist whose career includes a staff position as an illustrator at Hallmark Cards, Inc. – founded her company 17 years ago. A well-established veteran of the design industry, Cruise has directed her company to be one of the top licensing agencies in the country, featuring many highly acclaimed artists. Cruise Creative proudly represents top selling artists for companies such as Leanin' Tree, Manual Woodworkers & Weavers, Crazy Mountain, Midwest of Canon Falls, and Pure Country Weavers, just to name a few."

Cruise has built her flourishing business based on a thorough understanding of the creative process, the marketplace, design trends and clients’ needs. Licensees commend her dedication to understanding and meeting their needs, as well as her unique ability to create a perfect match between artist and manufacturer.
“Suzanne understands the importance of matching the right artist to the right licensee,” says Susan January, director of product management, Leanin’ Tree. “She has invested in making sure she understands our needs. She’s honest in providing art direction. That’s important to us, so that we have the product that is right for our retailers. In short, we have a lot of confidence in her abilities.”

As the former vice president and director of licensing for Sakura, a division of Oneida, Ltd., Jeffrey Grinspan worked with the Cruise agency and was impressed with Cruise’s focus, knowledge of the licensing business, and willingness to listen, as well as her clear and concise style, articulate presentation and supportive point of view. He says, “Suzanne has that rare ability to see the licensing business from both sides … respectful of the artistic integrity of designers who have set sail in the ocean of licensing, but fully committed to navigating the choppy waters inhabited by manufacturers to help both parties eventually reach solid ground.”

Well-respected within the design community, Cruise has been a featured speaker at trade show seminars across the country, including the CHA and Surtex shows. She also has been asked to share her expertise and insights with numerous design groups, such as The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), The Paisley Group, and the Society of Creative Designers (SCD). In addition, Cruise has been invited to judge portfolios at seminars and shows nationwide – an invitation extended to a chosen few.