As events over the last year have shown, more companies than ever are realising that significant value resides in their intellectual property. The trick is to harvest this to the maximum possible extent, whether through sales, licensing, improved alignment with overall business goals, focused internal R&D, enhanced collaboration and more open innovation programmes, better marketing returns and so on. In order to do this as effectively as possible, they need the advice of people who know the business of intellectual property inside out, as well as the opportunities that it presents. Our belief is that a one-stop source of information that identifies such people is an invaluable business resource - and given the reaction that this guide has received since it was launched, it looks as though we are right.

The IAM Strategy 300 lists individuals who our research has led us to believe offer world-class services related to the development and implementation of strategies which enable IP owners to maximise the value of their rights portfolios. Our view is that top-flight IP strategists do not see intellectual property from just one perspective; instead, they possess a fully rounded approach to management and value creation, as well as a focus on how both must be aligned with overall business strategy. The best IP strategists look beyond straight monetisation to understand the range of valuecreation 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 gamechanging plans and then deliver on them. Those who can, however, are worth their weight in gold.

Because the IAM Strategy 300 is a guide designed for senior executives working inside IPowning organisations, we decided that to qualify for inclusion, an individual could not be employed by an operating company - even though there are many excellent IP strategists active in the corporate world. All other individuals working in IP-related professions are eligible for inclusion.

For this edition, we worked on the assumption that everyone who appeared in last year’s publication should be listed once again. Our thinking was that you are unlikely to be a world-class IP strategist in 2011 and then cease to be one in 2012. However, we did contact all relevant individuals in order to confirm that they continue to work in the IP strategy space. Some no longer do and so were removed; others did not respond, so their names were also removed.

Additionally, we asked everyone listed in 2011 to nominate other individuals who they felt merited inclusion; and invited readers of IAM magazine and the IAM blog to send in nominations too. Once an individual received at least three recommendations from people outside his or her own organisation, we undertook an extensive research process to assess his or her suitability for inclusion. This involved telephone interviews, email exchanges and the scrutiny of references. Most nominees did not make it through; those who did are listed in the following pages. The selection procedure is always strictly applied, because our overarching aim is to ensure that only those individuals with exceptional skill sets - as well as profound insights into the development, creation and management of IP value - feature in the IAM Strategy 300.

All individuals who made the final list and who stated they wished to be included are featured in this publication. Although it is not possible to buy a place in the IAM Strategy 300, 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 lists the world’s leading IP strategists by areas of specialisation. All of the individuals featured in this guide were asked to identify which areas applied to them. However, it is not always the case that there are easy fits. It is thus important to note that these categories are for guidance purposes 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 300 does, it is strongly recommended that you contact that person directly.

It has been no small task putting together IAM Strategy 300 - The World’s Leading IP Strategists 2012. But at the end of the process, I believe that this publication not only sheds much greater light on the whole field of IP strategy, but also provides important information in an area that is becoming increasingly important by the day.

Joff Wild
Editor
IAM magazine