About Ari
Ari Freedman serves as the Founder and President of Licensing at Surge Brands, a New York-based global brand management agency founded in 2020. In this role, Freedman leads the vision and execution of licensing programs that elevate iconic and emerging brands into new product categories, consumer experiences, and global markets. Under his leadership, Surge Brands has built a diverse portfolio representing beloved consumer names, from confectionery, food & beverage and restaurant brands, including Toxic Waste, Cookie Dough Bites, Albanese, Bosco®, Mister Softee, Benihana, Macaroni Grill, Planet Hollywood to lifestyle, sports and entertainment properties, such as Skip Barber Racing School, Professional Fighters League “PFL”, 1-800-Flowers, Le Clic, and many more, positioning them for long-term growth through thoughtful brand extensions and multi-platform licensing strategies. Freedman’s work emphasizes creative collaboration with creators, studios, and corporate partners to maximize IP value while delivering engaging consumer connections across traditional and emerging retail environments.
Before launching Surge Brands, Freedman developed deep expertise in brand development, marketing, and strategic project leadership in entrepreneurial roles, drawing on more than a decade of experience across multiple licensing and brand franchise development sectors. For over a decade, her served as Director of New Projects at Surge Licensing, the sister company of Surge Brands. Previously, he co-founded Brooklyn Buttery, which created butters and spreads using the freshest ingredients that were locally and ethically sourced. Freedman launched his career as founder and president of Surge Sports Management, a full-service sports and entertainment management organization that provided services to professional athletes and coaches, in areas of global representation, sponsorship procurement, event production, and media packaging.
Freedman’s professional approach blends market insight with a passion for storytelling and community engagement, helping brands unlock new revenue streams while maintaining authenticity and cultural relevance. Known for his ability to identify untapped potential in both established and niche intellectual properties, Freedman has been featured frequently in the industry media, where he underscores the importance of meaningful brand extensions that resonate with audiences and drive long-term retailer impact.
