The Walt Disney Company’s Media & Entertainment Distribution (DMED) is a new, global business segment for The Walt Disney Company with the mission of providing consumers around the world access to the content they want most, on the latest platforms, at a time of rapidly evolving consumer habits. Combining the Company’s direct-to-consumer streaming services – ESPN+, the Disney+ streaming service and its ownership stake in Hulu – alongside Disney’s international media businesses, DMED aligns cutting-edge technology with world-class content and beloved brands to expand the Company’s global footprint and deliver highly personalized entertainment experiences to diverse consumers around the world.

Disney Advertising Sales is seeking an experienced professional to lead the business strategy and activation for advertiser solutions tied to various areas of programming. Senior Manager will be responsible for developing and activating advertiser driven cross-platform brand solutions.

At this time we have vacancies on the following teams:

• News Vertical which includes Good Morning America, World News with David Muir, Nightline, This Week with George Stephanopoulos and other News Specials. This role is based in NYC and reports into Director, Entertainment Brand Solutions.

• Freeform and ABC Networks. This role is based in Santa Monica, CA and reports into Director, Entertainment Brand Solutions

Responsibilities

Manage development and execution of cross-platform (linear, digital, social, streaming etc.) solution:

• Idea generation and creation of pitch materials (RFPs and proactive).

  • Responsible for idea generation – includes working with programming producers to identify ideas.

  • Responsible for creating all client-facing pitch materials that detail (customized and market-wide) sponsorship opportunities

  • Guide and build consensus among key stakeholders to obtain approval on the ideas (Management, Legal, BS&P, PR, Business Affairs, studios, producers, marketing, etc.)

• Attend client meetings to pitch ideas

• Facilitate deal negotiation (client, studio, producer, internal, etc.).

• Responsible for the PR revenue business that accounts for almost 30% of the teams revenue

• Responsible for negotiation via sales and PR (client, producer, internal, etc.).

• Manage activation process for deals that sell-through: timelines, approvals, production shoots, post-production, etc.)

  • Lead kick-off calls

  • Creative approval process

  • Any/all shoot preparation

  • Manage an on-set shoots – script delivery, client hosting, problem solving, balance show and client creative needs etc.

  • Responsible for ensuring project elements are delivering across all platforms.

  • Oversee all post production to ensure content launches properly

  • All project related documentation: deal agreement letters, budget management, billing, research etc. 

• Oversee creation of deal recaps and research

• Identify and execute on new social innovations that drive revenue.

• Collaborate with the Entertainment Brand Solutions Specials team on sales strategy and partnership packaging and positioning.

• Trains, provides guidance and leadership to team members. 

• Accountable for success over all aspects of projects from activation through completion.

• Assist and guide complex problem solving both in anticipation and in real-time given the live programming environment for which this Senior Manager is responsible.

• Bring an innovative and entrepreneurial lens to the business to ensure solutions are meeting marketplace demands and revenue potential is maximized.

• Senior Manager will collaborate with Director on special projects across and for the benefit of the broader team such as revenue forecasting, tracking and reporting, process planning and operational implementation against a variety of functions (e.g., social, billing etc.).

• Expected to bring forward and lead proactive ways to bring new ideas, share leanings and drive consistent enablement across the team. 

Serve as expert over a specialty content area:

• Helps drive strategy and the revenue performance of the News content area.

• Ambassador to Sales/Clients for the News branded content area and to creative community (internal & external) over Sales goals/needs. Must have strong relationship skills to build and foster producing partner alliances. 

Provide leadership and direction to a team:

• Helps develop and execute department/division strategy and objectives to team and specialty area(s).

• Oversee team organizational functions:  paperwork budget management, status reports, case studies, research, competitive analysis, etc.

Strategic proactive collaboration across the Disney portfolio to create greater reach for clients and shows.

Responsible for creating and leveraging relationships at a senior level.

Assist in the development of new or innovative solutions around the News branded content area (cross platform, cross portfolio).

Implement an enterprise wide perspective into specific team functions and objectives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum 6+ years of marketing, sponsorship, promotion, branded entertainment and/or media at a network, cable, promotional/media agency or entertainment studio

• Past experience managing one or more employees

• Past experience driving revenue across all platforms

• Independent decision maker and proven work solving complex problems

• Experience leading on-set shoots

• Excellent written, verbal and presentation communication skills.  Presentation and pitching experience.

• Strong interpersonal skills (especially in high stress environments)

• Experience collaborating with senior level executives

• Proven leader with the desire to do whatever it takes and thrives in a team culture

• Willingness to work flexible hours including evenings, mornings, weekends and/or occasional travel

• Ability to work in a highly matrixed environment

• Expertise in project management/execution with multi-tasking abilities and attention to detail

• Fully proficient in Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point, Keynote, Google Docs/Sheets

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience