Top-flight IP strategists have a fully rounded approach to IP management and value creation, and how both should be aligned to overall business strategy. They look beyond straight bottomline return to understand the range of value creation options available to rights owners. They know how these can be applied to the circumstances of individual businesses. If needs be, they can develop new solutions to deal with very specific sets of circumstances. Many people call themselves IP strategists; far fewer can devise game-changing plans and then deliver on them. Those who can, however, are worth their weight in gold. And it is such people that we seek to identify in the IAM Strategy 250.

It takes many months to find the individuals you will see listed on the following pages. Because this publication is intended as a source of reference for senior in-house IP managers, the only people excluded from the research process are those who are employed by operating companies; that is, businesses which create and then use intellectual property to underpin product and/or service offerings. All other individuals working in IP-related professions – such as intermediaries, financiers, consultants, attorneys and lawyers - are eligible, no matter where in the world they are based.

To build the final IAM Strategy 250 listing, we undertook an extensive research process. It lasted for approximately five months and involved face-to-face and telephone interviews, as well as email exchanges, with hundreds of IP professionals. We had detailed conversations with executives inside IP-owning companies, asking them to put forward names of people whom they regard as leading IP strategists. We then approached the individuals so named and asked them to let us know about others whom they saw as leading strategists. These people were then approached and asked to put forward other names for inclusion. Having put together a shortlist, we asked nominees to supply us with referees, whom we then contacted. Finally, we made our decision as to who should appear in the publication.

While the final list is therefore entirely our responsibility and is based solely on our judgement, no individual could qualify for a listing in the IAM Strategy 250 unless he or she was nominated for inclusion by at least three people working in unrelated organisations. This was the minimum criterion. However, even that did not guarantee inclusion. Only those individuals whom further research revealed to have exceptional skill sets - as well as profound insights into the development, creation and management of IP value - feature in this publication.

As in previous years, all individuals who made the final list, and who stated that they wished to be included, are named on the following pages. It is not possible to buy a place in the IAM 250; however, everyone was offered the opportunity to take out an enhanced biography for a fee. All enhanced biographies have been edited into IAM house style by our sub-editors - the content of the biographies, however, was supplied by the individuals concerned.

A detailed index at the end of the publication lists the world's leading IP strategists by sectors of expertise. All of those featured in this guide were asked to identify the sectors which applied to them. However, it is not always the case that there are easy fits. Therefore, it is important to note that the sectors are provided as guidance only. They are not intended to provide definitive information and should not be used as if they do. If you wish to get a better understanding of what an individual in the IAM Strategy 250 does, it is strongly recommended that you contact that person directly.

This year, in addition to the IAM Strategy 250 listings, we provide four introductory chapters. The first explores what it takes to become a world-class IP strategist, while the following three look at recent developments in North America, Europe and Asia, with a special focus on the IP transactions marketplaces in those regions.

It has been no small task putting together IAM Strategy 250 - The World's Leading IP Strategists 2011. However, I believe that at the end of the process, we have produced something that provides vital information in an area that is only going to become more important as time goes by. I am grateful to the many people who have helped to put this guide together. Without their valuable input, none of this would have been possible.

Joff Wild
Editor
IAM magazine