Worldwide Consumer Products is the licensing and merchandising division for Sony Pictures Entertainment. SPCP (Sony Pictures Consumer Products) licenses its brands to best in class manufactures of soft and hard goods such as apparel, accessories, stationery, home décor, toys, collectables and games. Our portfolio consists of a diverse slate of brands across Columbia Pictures, Tri-Star Pictures, Screen Gems, Sony Pictures Animation, Sony Pictures Television and Sony Kids. Internationally, we work with agents around the world who represent our properties.
Worldwide Consumer Products currently has an exciting opportunity for a Director of International Licensing to join their team. Based on the iconic studio lot in Culver City, California, and reporting to the SVP of Global Licensing, this role will be responsible for bringing SPE’s IP to life via innovative products and retail programs that drive revenue and create buzz.
Core Responsibilities include:
- Leads the international consumer products/licensing business including a network of agents in key territories
- Effectively communicate overarching consumer products strategies and collaborate with agents on goals, deliverables and financial targets for each property
- Strategize, guide and motivate agents on the potential licensing and revenue opportunities including identifying realistic categories and retailers
- Develop, organize and deliver IP related marketing assets to agent network including; brand decks, sizzles, research, topical news, trends, retail pitches etc.
- Responsible for working with agents to develop and execute retail programs that deliver products and marketing impressions to support the IP
- Work with agents in securing best in class and innovative licensing partners and categories
- Knowledge of local market trends,Licensees, retail landscape and competitive activity
- Guide licensees from contract, product development and approval and sell-in of products to retail
- Attend licensing trade shows including Licensing Expo and BLE
- Liaise with Legal and Finance department in order to help negotiate licensing contracts
- Work on licensing budgets and forecasts with agents on a quarterly basis
- Review receivables with VP and Accounting department on a monthly basis and work with agents on accounts receivable and royalty statement management
- Collaborate with domestic licensing colleagues to determine best in class and key revenue opportunities that can be extended to international territories
- Coordinate with local officeson territory specific marketing, distribution and promotional activity
Skills/Qualifications and/or Experience Required
- Bachelor’s degree, MBA preferred
- 8-10 years in the Licensing industry, with a history of commercializing brands
- Proven experience in international property licensing and agent relationships, preferably with a major studio
- Strategic and creative thinker who can effectively communicate overarching goals early in the process that drive successful outcomes
- Idea generator, collaborates with agents to come up with revenue and business building ideas
- Excellent relationships with a network of existing licensees, agents and retailers in various international territories
- Cross-functional leader who has the ability to engage and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders
- Strong abilty to understand and effectively communicate what is happening in the CP business in the key territories
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong motivation and creative thinking skills
- Must be able to work independently, be pro-active and is a confident “self-starter” who is a creative, critical and autonomous thinker
- Communicative, proactive problem solver, flexible, adaptable, pragmatic and resourceful with strong organizational skills – works independently and uses own initiative
- Proficient in PowerPoint and Keynote
- Willingness and ability to travel to individual markets in the territory as required