Franchise & Retail Marketing Manager, Japan

Company Description

NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our theme parks and consumer experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, USA Network, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Universal Studio Group, and have world-renowned theme parks and attractions through Universal Destinations & Experiences. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.

Comcast NBCUniversal has announced its intent to create a new publicly traded company ('Versant') comprised of most of NBCUniversal's cable television networks, including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel along with complementary digital assets Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. The well-capitalized company will have significant scale as a pure-play set of assets anchored by leading news, sports and entertainment content. The spin-off is expected to be completed during 2025.

Universal Products & Experiences

Universal Products & Experiences (UP&E) globally drives expansion of the company's intellectual properties, franchises, characters and stories through innovative physical and digital products, content, and consumer experiences. Games, fashion, and toys only scratch the surface of ways we take Universal stories and characters from the screen and put them into fans' daily lives around the globe. Along with franchise brand management, Universal Products & Experiences’ core businesses include Consumer Products and Games and Digital Platforms. We take properties such as Jurassic World, Minions, Back to the Future, Curious George, and Gabby’s Dollhouse from our creative content engines like Universal Pictures, Illumination and DreamWorks Animation partner with best-in-class category leaders (e.g. Mattel, Lego, Reebok, Target, Microsoft, etc.) to create amazing products for our fans. Universal Products & Experiences is part of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. https://www.universalbranddevelopment.com/  

UP&E is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce of the highest caliber. We are committed to fostering equitable and inclusive environments that honor the experiences, perspectives, and uniqueness of each colleague.

It is the policy of NBCUniversal and NBCUniversal's affiliated businesses to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy) sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by applicable law.

Job Description

The Franchise & Retail Marketing Manager for Japan will have the following job responsibilities:

Franchise & Event Marketing

Activating the global franchise strategies at a market level by ensuring local relevance and partnering across other business units within the company with the goal of building or maintaining consumer relevance of our most important brands (Intellectual Properties). Managing events such as tradeshows, key partner meetings and consumer facing events under the direction of Senior Director, Franchise & Retail Marketing

Digital and Retail Marketing

The development and execution of digital and retail programs in line with Brand guidelines and business objectives with the goal of delivering maximum value at point of sale with our Key Accounts. Digital and retail Marketing will range from Below the Line activities to sophisticated multi-level retail activation including Above the Line support.
This role will work as part of the local Consumer Products team, supporting the overall business objectives while also maintaining a strong tie to the Senior Director, Franchise and Retail Marketing . The job may requires some travel (domestic and international).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Franchise Marketing:

• Work with Senior Director to develop and execute territory specific franchise marketing activations, to support consumer products while creating awareness for key properties
• Work with Senior Director to develop cross-divisional support programs (both marketing and PR) with local market theatrical, TV/Digital distribution team, and USJ
• Under the supervisions of Senior Director, manage the brand websites and SNS accounts for the engagement with fans and products promotion while consulting with internal and external stakeholders
• Reviews and ensures brand integrity of all licensee marketing submissions in Japan (TV and other high-profile submissions to be vetted with global marketing team)
• Participate in “train the team” sessions to become experts in property presentations. Familiarize and train the local teams on property presentations
• Work with Senior Director, Franchise & Retail Marketing to localize property presentations and marketing materials for Japan
• Attend top-tier retail and licensee meetings (i.e. master toy partner) in region, as requested to support with story beats and sensitive materials
• Plan screenings for licensees and retailers as required in territory
• Manage and develop costume character appearances and retail experience tools in market

Events Marketing:

• Support the Senior Director in overseeing presentation support and coordination of all events in Japan (summits, presence at trade shows, agent trade shows)
• Work with senior Director to Conceptualize and organize events and activities aligned to the business strategy and brand
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to ensure event needs are clearly communicated and correctly coordinated
• Manage invitation and RSVP process
• Collaborate with global events team to secure required event assets via the events tool kit, including invitation templates, banners, etc. Work with global marketing team to secure required presentations
• Onsite management of event to ensure partners are providing all elements as outlined in the event contract (venue, A/V, catering, etc.)

Retail Marketing:

• Support Senior Director to manage relationships and develop retail marketing programs with key retail accounts
• Maintain a catalogue of competitors’ retail programs & share best practices/results with broader team
• Stay up to date on retail and marketing trends across the region

Retail Planning:

• Upon direction from Senior Director, identify core retail marketing concepts/messages for each Franchise to create differentiation across key accounts
• Coordinate with global marketing teams in US to ensure creative is consistent and on brand
• Create and identify effective sales and marketing materials to be used for meetings, trade shows, retail road shows, and events
• Proactively conceptualize and develop cross promotions with other Universal divisions on behalf of licensees, retailers and digital partners

Retail Execution:

• Manage execution and account management of assigned marketing partnerships with retail accounts through product lifecycle; includes in-store marketing, promotions,
• sweepstakes, out-of-home, print, online/mobile content, packaging, premiums, etc
  • Briefing external agencies (when appropriate) in the development of retail marketing concepts
  • Under supervisions of Senior Director, approving ALL retail marketing submissions from licensees, agents or retailers
• Responsible for organizing meetings and film/TV/Property presentations with the retailers and collaborating with the brand group on pitch materials and idea generation

Post Analysis:

• Maintains examples of best in class programs to help drive the planning process and close loop

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Proven experience in brand, retail and digital marketing includes creative direction and social media (SNS) post/account management.
• Excellent presentation skills with the ability to communicate ideas clearly with the ability to communicate ideas clearly.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and communicate effectively and consistently with supervisors, colleagues and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Proficiency in English (both written and verbal) to communicate with regional and global teams.
• Fluency in Japanese is a must (both written and verbal).
• Proven record of successful cross-functional collaboration.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to multitask and manage competing deadlines.
• Passion for entertainment contents, characters and their business.
• Creative thinker with a proactive mindset.
• Experience in managing external agencies and vendors.

Desired Characteristics:

• In-depth understanding of the retail industry, including marketing tactics, promotional partnerships, packaged goods, home entertainment, and consumer products.
• Experience in trade marketing, promotions, or packaged goods, with a history of developing large-scale marketing programs.
• Willingness and ability to travel as required.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• A practical, solutions-oriented mindset with a good sense of humor.
• Personable, outgoing, and confident in building relationships.
• Self-starter who is resourceful and takes initiative.

Additional Information

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to [email protected].