JOB OVERVIEW

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

Franchise 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 (IP). 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 Licensees. Digital and retail Marketing will range from BTL activities to sophisticated multi-level retail activation including ATL 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 require some travel (domestic and international).

We are open to appointing this role at Manager level or Assistant Manager level, depending on the candidate’s experience, capabilities, and overall fit.

(Reference: https://nbcuni.co.jp/goods/)

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 the Senior Director to develop cross-divisional support programs (both marketing and PR) with local market theatrical, TV/Digital distribution team, and USJ
• Under the supervision of the Senior Director, managing the brand websites and social
• 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 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)
• Onsite management of events to ensure partners are providing all elements as outlined in the event contract (venue, A/V, catering, etc.)
• Work with the Senior Director to Conceptualize and organize publicity/consumer 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

Retail Marketing:

• Manage relationships and develop retail marketing programs with key retail accounts
• 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
• Proactively conceptualize and develop cross promotions with other Universal divisions on behalf of licensees, retailers and digital partners
• 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 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 supervision of the 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