Studio100, the family entertainment group, is offering a rewarding career opportunity for a Licensing professional to join its international Team as
LICENSING MANAGER ASIA PACIFIC
The Company :
Studio 100 is a leading global family entertainment company located in Belgium with offices across the world in the Netherlands, France, Germany, Hong Kong and Australia. Studio 100 has built a truly 360º approach to family entertainment with five global brands at its heart: CGI-series Maya the Bee, which broadcasts in 160 countries and has over 300 licensees; Vic the Viking, which airs in over 60 countries; Heidi, which is currently in production with a new CGI series and has been sold to over 70 countries; and live actions series House of Anubis. Studio 100’s portfolio also includes numerous entertainment properties aimed at local markets such as Blinky Bill or Tashi. With content based on these characters at its core, Studio 100 integrates these into film, theatre, music, digital platforms, publishing, merchandising, theme parks, live action and animation to ensure multiple consumer touch points for each brand. The company’s animation expertise is evident in its two pioneering animation studios – Studio 100 Animation in Paris, and Flying Bark, in Sydney. Studio 100’s assets all adhere to its ethos of truth, family values and integrity and this morality has a global reach due to Studio 100’s family of licensees who are fundamental to the worldwide growth of Studio 100.
The position:
Studio 100 International is looking for a dynamic and relationship focused Licensing Manager to manage our representative agents and drive the development of our entertainment brands in the Asia Pacific region including Australia and New Zealand. The role is based in our animation studio in Sydney. You will require a proven track record in licensing and agent’s management, and demonstrate an ability to deliver brand strategies. You will be responsible for developing our network of agents across the Asia Pacific region, setting up financial budgets as well as driving local marketing support. You will work under the supervision of the International Licensing Director, the primary responsibilities will be:
Be responsible & accountable (financially & operationally) for the licensing business and Consumer Product growth in Asia Pacific Identify, appoint and manage representative agents in the region
Manage and liaise existing base of licensees
Provide management support in the contracting and accounting process
Provide management support in the approval process for our local licensees
Assist in the development of marketing & retail strategies to support our brands locally
Responsible for the digital local strategy and implementation
Identify key retailer relationships and develop potential retail/trade promotion in collaboration with agents
Develop distribution agreements for our own Studio 100 Merchandising line
Be the local licensing point of contact between the headquarter and the Asia Pacific region
Creative thinker with good negotiation skills, you will work proactively to identify opportunities for the development of Studio 100 Properties in the Asia Pacific region. Excellent understanding of the licensing industry, brand and property positioning, retail environment in the Asia Pacific region. Good budgeting and communication skills are required. Solid presentation skills, flexible/ability to adjust to changing business environment, strategic thinker multi-task oriented. The successful candidate will most likely have an experience in consumer product/licensing in the entertainment industry (preferably in the kid’s business but not mandatory) with strong knowledge in marketing and market analysis.
If you are interested in applying please forward your CV and cover letter detailing your relevant experience to [email protected]
Minimum Experience Requirement
Essential
A min. of 8/10 year Experience working within the entertainment industry, preferably in the children’s industry
Experience in representative agency management
Knowledge of the character licensing industry in the Asia Pacific region
Proven track record in one of the main Asian markets preferably Australia and China
Proven experience developing and maintaining industry and retailer relationships
Proven track record of achieving and implementing sales targets internationally
Good written and spoken English and an ability to communicate with employees at all levels A true plus:
Good written and Spoken Chinese would highly be appreciated and/ or another Asian language spoken would be a plus
Type of Employment Full-Time
Cultural Fit: The DNA really lives in the organisation and staff are evaluated on it. We have six values that define their DNA: Mental Flexibility; Positive Drive; Open Communication; We; Entrepreneurial; and Results Driven We operate a meritocracy. People are promoted through the business on merit The person’s style is as important as their knowledge We encourage creativity and don't want people to be defensive and as a consequence mistakes are acceptable
Background Information: Studio 100 is the largest provider of Family and Children’s entertainment in the Benelux, originally founded in 1996 by Hans Bourlon, Gert Verhulst and Danny Verbiest (who later retired in 2005). Since its foundation it has continued to pursue one goal: to create quality time for children and their mums and dads, their brothers and sisters and friends. We have seen a big change from a purely local player with three shareholders; to being a business which is 30% owned by Private Equity, is international in focus and delivers impressive YoY revenue growth. Studio 100’s ambition is to deliver £200m revenue and £50m EBIT in 3years and become more international. The strategic objectives for the organisation are simple; to transform the company from one which is Benelux centric, into a global company. To enable this transition and growth we will create new content, whilst maximising the potential of existing brands. The intention is to create a streamlined business, which is commercially focused. The business currently has more than 1,000 employees and is headquartered in Belgium (Schelle), with offices in The Netherlands, France (Paris), Germany (Munich), Hong Kong and Australia (Sydney). A key strength of Studio 100 is our business model, based on perfect vertical integration of its IPs. We have a truly 360 degree solution. Currently the portfolio by revenue is made of: Theme Parks (32%), TV sales (19%), Licensing & Merchandising (15%), Stage shows (12%), Home Entertainment (9%), Publishing (4%), Animation (4%), Feature films (1%) and Other (4%). We have identified Theme Park activities (both indoor and outdoor) as their main driver for growth and EBITDA. We currently have one Theme park in Germany, three in Belgium, one in the Netherlands. Studio 100’s desire is to expand our international footprint through a partner model. Studio 100 has a wealth of licensees internationally and per annum launches 350 STUDIO 100 branded products, releases 3 movies, building on our TV offering, and launches 200 new songs (and have had several “Number 1 Hits”). We also produce our own books and allow our characters to appear in various musicals and live-stage shows. The portfolio includes globally recognised brands – Maya The Bee, Heidi, Vic the Viking, Tashi and Blinky Bill; as well as K3 (key brand in the Benelux) and The House of Anubis. These brands are built in TV sales and music and then leveraged through their multimedia activities. As a company we have strong brand recognition in the Benelux (c.90% of the public will have heard of Studio 100), but the challenge is to internationalise our brands. Studio 100 is a young, dynamic, and entrepreneurial company on a high growth trajectory. We are a company which operates with creativity and innovation, whilst upholding an ethical stance in everything we do. This is the beginning of the next stage in Studio 100’s evolution and a very exciting time for high performers to be part of this journey.