We are looking for an experienced Brand Marketing professional with a proven track record for developing iconic character brands/franchises and promoting their related consumer products programs. This engaged, creative and conscientious marketing expert would join our small, yet dynamic marketing and licensing team at King Features, reporting to the Brand Marketing Director. This full-time role is open immediately and hybrid, so only candidates in commutable distance to NYC need apply.
This role reports to the Brand Marketing Director working collaboratively with leadership to manage all activities that build, protect, and perpetuate King Features’ extensive library of brands with consumer product programs attached, particularly the Lifestyle brand portfolio which includes Popeye the Sailor Man, Olive Oyl, Rebel Girls, Crazy Frog, Macanudo & Romero Britto. Brands within the role’s realm of responsibility are subject to change based on evolving company strategy and business priorities.
The Brand Marketing Manager is expected to be the resident go-to expert on the stable of IP under their management, ensuring the positioning, voice and core messaging of each unique brand is kept consistent across product, entertainment, marketing, promotions and press globally. The role will also assist in the development of new creative assets and branded content.
The ideal candidate for this role will have skills in strategic thinking, impeccable project management and organizational skills, demonstrated excellence in communication, and the proven ability to deliver measurable results in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities.
King Features is a unit of Hearst within the Hearst Newspapers division. Their portfolio of world-class pop-culture brands, both owned and represented, target a variety of fanbases and audience segments which are made accessible to fans through various forms of entertainment from publishing to TV series to video games. Most recently, King Features produced the Emmy-winning series The Cuphead Show! with Netflix Animation which debuted in 2022.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Brand Marketing Manager is responsible for collaboratively shaping the vision for their brands while adhering to the overarching goals and strategy set forth by management. Strategically ideating and executing marketing campaigns that drive consumer awareness and demand, supporting key partner launches through marketing/press/social media, and leading special projects that increase brand reach, while staying within budget.
Support Director in the development and execution of brand planning
Collaborate with Action Brands Manager to develop an overarching marketing calendar for KFS core brands that drives alignment across all KFS lines of business globally
Strategically propose brand marketing initiatives that drive awareness and/or revenue
Research and present insights in support of strategic recommendations to Director around the brand strategy
Lead planning and execution of approved initiatives from start to finish, including management of contract, staffing, logistics, development of marketing materials, organization of press & social support, partner communications, budget/ expenses, etc.
Prepare and present recap of executed stunts/campaigns to Director upon completion
Manage brand/marketing communications with brand owners, talent and key licensees of your brands (organize touch base meetings as needed to track product/mkt development progress, retail placement, oversee marketing plan execution and report associated sales impact as permitted
Spearhead marketing support for key launches tied to your brands
Develop and activate and in-house marketing support plan for the launch
Manage development and distribution of press
Prepare and present recap of results to Director
Confirm visual record of all brand collaborations and product partnerships have been saved properly archived
Create and maintain external brand tools (sales decks, one sheets, etc.) on a quarterly basis, ensuring each effectively motivates partners to partners license the brand
Design bespoke pitch decks to drive new business as needed
Develop internal brand tools (brand decks, brand bibles, etc.) and update monthly; clearly define brand position and guidelines, while ensuring the state of each brand and its business is accurately tracked and reported
Work closely with Marketing Director to identify any needs for creative tools/assets to support your brands and business; collaboratively participate in the development process
Oversee Popeye.com (and other portfolio brand sites as needed); keep content up to date; evolve the site as necessary to meet brand needs; work with digital team to design & implement SEO strategy; write and post branded blog content to the site regularly
Lead the development and execution of Olive Oyl’s social media strategy, content, partner support and community engagement to grow her brand presence/influence online
Must have the creative ability to develop still and video content in-house, as needed
Assist Brand Marketing Coordinator, reviewing general product approvals and providing feedback on a case-by-case basis when guidance is required; elevate the product submission to the Director if further brand expertise is required
Aid Brand Coordinator with Licensing closet upkeep/cleanout as needed
Curate content, design and coordinate distribution of quarterly newsletter and year-end review featuring KFS brand highlights to licensees, international agents, and partners
Collaborate with Brand Marketing Coordinator in trademark defense support
Manage permission requests for use of brands under your management in entertainment content (i.e., brand mentions in scripts or as props for TV/film/game shows), promotions and advertising; execute agreements with Legal, facilitate asset delivery and track payment
Track departmental costs against budget; Gather, code and submit all marketing invoices to AP ensuring on-time vendor payments; Setup new vendors as needed; assist Director with delivery of accurate quarterly actuals to Finance
Participate in ad-hoc tasks as needed. At King Features, we are a team. No task is below us if it helps the group reach our goals.
Qualifications and Skills
Seeking a responsible and proactive, brand marketing professional who takes pride in delivering high quality work to join a small but very active team:
College degree required with 5-7+ years of relevant work experience
Detail-oriented team player with a highly productive and accountable work ethic
Exceptional project management, organizational and communication skills
Understands the importance of effective process & efficient workflow
Shows appreciation and respect for legacy brands and the importance of brand integrity
Brand building or brand management experience is required; consumer products licensing experience is preferred
Effective utilization of traditional & digital marketing tools as well as social media and AI in brand building is ideal
Ability to execute integrated marketing plans in support of licensed product; knows how to communicate effectively to consumers
Proven ability to strategically drive brand growth on social media
Product development experience is ideal
Prior account management experience with proven relationship-building skills
Demonstrates clear understanding of how lines of business work collaboratively (licensing, marketing public relations, social media, creative, legal etc.)
Creative thinker who is quick on their feet and enjoys being up to date on world cultures as well as market, social and industry trends
Advanced/Expert level PowerPoint skills and a solid understanding of design principles required
Please be prepared to provide work examples that demonstrate your design skills; ability to organize and present information effectively
High proficiency in programs that facilitate organization including but not limited to Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, Google Docs, Dropbox and Teams
Intermediate experience with creative development and tech programs such as Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, WordPress, Open AI etc. is a plus
Studio, production company, creative or entertainment marketing experience is also helpful
The estimated base salary for this role is $70,000 - $75,000. The actual base pay offered is dependent upon many factors, such as transferable skills, work experience, business needs, market demands and conditions, including geographic location where the work will be performed, and other factors permitted by law. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future.
This role requires the position to be located in New York, NY with an in-office presence of 3 days a week.
