Suzanne Cruise founded Cruise Creative in 1990 after a distinguished career as an artist and Hallmark illustrator. She quickly established her groundbreaking agency as a leader in the world of art licensing. While she passed away in August 2024, Suzanne’s legacy and her agency continues to serve a wide range of professional artists.

Suzanne Cruise Creative Services has represented artists who create work across many styles and product categories. Licensees’ work has generated more than $185 million in sales in the last 10 years alone. Currently, the agency represents more than 60 artists, positioning their work with a deep and established roster of manufacturing clients.

Artists and manufacturers alike have long recognized Suzanne’s ability to craft win-win relationships. Suzanne developed a vast network of industry contacts. She forged and maintained those relationships based on experience, trust, and an expert understanding of what makes for a creative and commercial success.

Suzanne appeared as a popular featured speaker at Surtex, SCBWI, The Licensing Expo and other top industry trade shows and events. She used these speaking appearances to give back to the creative community of artists and licensees.

Her approach to an artist-focused relationship and business savvy expertise continues at Suzanne Cruise Creative Services. With a collective 30 years of experience, the agency’s team draws from Suzanne’s experience, industry insight, and leadership lessons to represent artists in the art licensing industry.

Jim Ishikawa