#188 - Celebrity and Influencer Contracts with Foster Garvey

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff dives into the world of celebrity endorsements and brand partnerships with legal expert Hillary Hughes of Foster Garvey. They break down the different structures of celebrity deals—cash, equity, royalties, and affiliate marketing—and what brands are really paying for when they bring on a big name. Hillary shares insider insights on structuring contracts, negotiating exclusivity, managing risks (like "morals clauses"), and ensuring brands actually get value from these partnerships.

They also discuss the difference between influencers and celebrities, the role of talent agents, common legal pitfalls brands face, and why not all endorsements translate into sales. Whether you’re a startup considering a celebrity deal or just curious about how these partnerships work behind the scenes, this episode is packed with essential takeaways.

🎧 Listen now to learn how to navigate the world of celebrity partnerships the right way!

Foster Garvey is a full-service law firm dedicated to supporting innovative companies, government entities and individuals in navigating legal and business challenges. Our team offers strategic, cross-disciplinary support in areas like corporate structuring, capital raises, intellectual property and regulatory compliance. Serving a diverse range of clients - from startups to global brands - we provide guidance on marketing, influencer partnerships, food safety, licensing and more.

Listen in as they share about:

• Business Structures of Celebrity-Endorsed Brands
• Contract Considerations in Celebrity Deals
• Expected Deliverables from Celebrity Partnerships
• Working with Influencers vs. Celebrities
• Challenges & Legal Considerations
• Best Practices for Brands Considering Celebrity Endorsements

Episode Links:

Website: https://www.foster.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hillaryhhughes/ 

Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.

Show Links:

• Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)
• Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)
• Follow @startupcpg
• Visit host Daniel's Linkedin 
• Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.com
• Episode music by Super Fantastics