Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Hobbies
Organizations
Timeline
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Cary Grant Jr

Cary Grant Jr

Media Executive

Summary

Entrepreneurial and creative media executive passionate about turning innovative ideas into tangible results.

  • 18 Years experience in content licensing and acquisitions,
  • 16+ Years of experience in business development, partnerships, partner marketing, sales, account management
  • 13+ Years of experience with media, digital distribution and/or OTT
  • 8+ Years of experience formulating and executing strategic plans, marketing initiatives, creating new products and services, and developing business opportunities.
  • Track record of multiple successful business ventures and leading teams of professionals to maximize profits and deliver success.

Overview

27
27
years of professional experience

Work History

Founder/CEO

Premo Network + Studios
Oakland, CA
02.2015 - Current
  • Founded and launched online video channel/SVOD service & production studio focused on multicultural programming for consumers
  • Negotiate and secure six-figure content licensing deals with major studios, distributors, and filmmakers
  • Developed processes and procedures for studio and location productions.
  • Oversee distribution, licensing, marketing, operations, content development, editorial direction, and product development
  • Secured $30 Million film financing partnership
  • Evaluated scripts to identify creative strategies and resource needs.
  • Created, developed and produced original films and programs that were licensed to major streaming platforms, resulting in 30% profit
  • Created brand identity and messaging
  • Developed and managed operating model and financial plan & go-to market strategy
  • Led distribution negotiations with major OTT streaming platforms, resulted in six-figure subscription revenue
  • Oversaw business-wide changes to streamline content onboarding procedures and organization.
  • Spearheaded multiple third-party contract negotiations to obtain favorable pricing and scheduling parameters.
  • Developed innovative sales and marketing strategies to facilitate business expansion.

Principal - Distribution & Content Consultant

Merge Strategic Partners
San Francisco, CA
01.2015 - Current
  • Consult media companies, tech startups and production companies with business planning, strategy and business development
  • Business Development services for LeVar Burton Kids, providing business development, monetization and strategic partnerships, generating $2M+ in revenue
  • Led content acquisitions and new business efforts for SF tech startup focused on providing software and laptop devices to emerging markets, securing 10+ licensing deals
  • Strategic analysis of competitive marketplace including positioning of other programmers, business models, offerings and new initiatives.
  • Compiled research data and gave professional presentations highlighting finds and recommended optimizations.
  • Analyzed problematic areas to provide recommendations and solutions.
  • Collaborated with clients from concept through final delivery of product or service.
  • Organized and analyzed primary and secondary research to understand industry and market trends.
  • Managed multiple deadlines across several businesses to meet dynamic needs of multiple clients.
  • Created monthly forecast templates and resource management allocations for approved projects.

Director, Digital Distribution & Partnerships

Discovery Communications
San Francisco / New York, CA/NY
03.2013 - 01.2015
  • Identified, cultivated and managed relationships with digital distributors and platforms
  • Fostered partnerships that maximize the value of Discovery TV and web properties
  • Formed strategic partnerships and connected with potential clients to drive business development.
  • Support partner management activities, collaborating with internal & external stakeholders
  • Negotiated new video distribution deals for Discovery content across varied business models (ad supported, SVOD, EST etc), generating over $10M in licensing and distribution revenue
  • Supported Affiliate Sales on MVPD strategies for digital products and services
  • Partnered with internal groups in developing digital distribution strategy and supporting revenue goals
  • Helped created and launch of new digital channels, DNews, SEEKER, and other channels via Discovery Digital Networks
  • Created and maintained term sheets, sales documents and other strategic planning materials
  • Drafted and distributed reports to assist senior management with critical business decisions.
  • Leveraged professional networks and industry knowledge to strengthen client relationships.
  • Maintained understanding of competitive marketplace including positioning of other programmers, business models, offerings and new initiatives.
  • Evaluated program pitches to identify creative strategies and resource needs.

Head of Digital Video

Barnes & Noble/Nook Media
Palo Alto, CA
01.2011 - 01.2013
  • Led the creation and launch of Nook Video - a VOD service for Nook Devices & Barnes & Noble.com, which generated over eight figure revenue in device and content sales at launch.
  • Contributed to the development and refinement of Barnes & Noble’s strategy around media & digital content
  • Led on all video content acquisition, driving negotiations with 6+ major studios, TV networks and content providers for U.S. & UK territories.
  • Co-developed business case for video offering, working across organization to implement and support content-specific initiatives, overseeing $9 million budget.
  • Monitored and analyzed market and competitor metrics to inform digital marketing strategies.
  • Secured pre-load app partnerships with Hulu and Netflix, resulting in seven-figure revenues
  • Pre/Post-deal account management, acting as primary contact for defined content partner set and working with them to support and grow partnership
  • Project management of key business initiatives - ensuring all partnerships are implemented with best practices across company
  • Worked with product and engineering teams to implement and integrate partnership programs and content focused functionality
  • Recruited and hired experienced contractors to complete projects on time and within budget requirements.

Business Development

Consultant
San Francisco / Palo Alto, CA
01.2008 - 01.2011
  • Independent consultant assisting online, digital media, mobile application and technology companies with business development, strategic partnerships and marketing/promotions
  • Providing business development, marketing, and music content acquisition services for Booyah!Online game Nightclub City, #1 Facebook social game of 2010; 14 million registered users
  • Developed strategic partnerships, business development, promotions and marketing initiatives for Cooliris Liveshare photo sharing mobile app, whose technology sold to Google and powered their photo app for Android devices.
  • Responsible for driving new business branded mobile application deals with major product marketers, artists and entertainment/media companies.
  • Developed insights on marketing campaigns to assess performance against goals.
  • Developed creative presentations, trend reports, kitted assets and product data sheets.
  • Established, initiated and optimized business development strategies based on company targets, product specifications, market data and budget factors.

Director

Peanut Labs
San Francisco, CA
03.2008 - 09.2008

VC-backed global monetization platform for social games publishers via Facebook, MMOGs & social media sample for the market research industry with specialty online panels

  • Directed sales efforts to secure 50+ online publishers and gaming applications via social networks as partners to support market research activities
  • Negotiated revenue share deals which resulted in over $1M+ revenue
  • Provided client services and served as liaison with market research team to provide targeted demos for specific survey projects.
  • Formed strategic partnerships and connected with potential clients to drive business development.
  • Assisted with sales and marketing strategies to foster achievement of revenue goals.

Director - BusinessDevelopment

National Banana
Santa Monica, CA
01.2007 - 03.2008

Founded by film director/producer Jerry Zucker, company served as a digital production studio & online video site, creating short-form original comedy clips for online distribution

  • Solicited and closed branded content deals via product brands, digital agencies and online distribution networks
  • Developed, negotiated and secured online, mobile, digital syndication & distribution partnerships, generating 20+ million views
  • Secured seven-figure revenue deal for branded content and production partnership with Sony Pictures' Crackle
  • Managed online branding and marketing campaigns, including trade shows and industry events
  • Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy
  • Developed processes and procedures for studio and location productions
  • Evaluated scripts to identify creative strategies and resource needs.
  • Assisted with sales and marketing strategies to foster achievement of revenue goals
  • Drafted and distributed reports to assist senior management with critical business decisions

Director- Business Development & Programming

MSpot
Palo Alto, CA
01.2005 - 01.2007

Leading mobile technology firm developing entertainment applications for OEM and media companies

  • Solicited, negotiated & secured music, entertainment, sports, and video content licensing deals with major record labels, film studios, and media companies
  • Managed 10+ accounts with major cellphone carriers & content providers
  • Created original content programming with independent content producers
  • Developed strategic partnerships that helped increase subscription growth by 20%
  • Provided market feedback to company leaders regarding competitive offerings, prospect needs and product development ideas
  • Identified revenue opportunities by collaborating with distribution partners
  • Produced events at industry conferences that helped secure new business

Education

Marketing

North Carolina A&T State University

Skills

    Strategic Partnerships

Content Distribution & Licensing

Revenue Forecasting & Generation

Contract Negotiation

Content Development

Film Production

Project Management

Strategic planning

Hobbies

  • Travel
  • Sports
  • Fitness
  • Film/TV
  • Music
  • Cooking

Organizations

Advisor - Multicultural Media Correspondents Association

Advisor to a nonpartisan nonprofit organization committed to moving the needle on media diversity. 

Founder - Visionary Media & Film Foundation

Created a non-profit focused on the training, development, and mentoring of production creatives from underserved communities.

Timeline

Founder/CEO

Premo Network + Studios
02.2015 - Current

Principal - Distribution & Content Consultant

Merge Strategic Partners
01.2015 - Current

Director, Digital Distribution & Partnerships

Discovery Communications
03.2013 - 01.2015

Head of Digital Video

Barnes & Noble/Nook Media
01.2011 - 01.2013

Director

Peanut Labs
03.2008 - 09.2008

Business Development

Consultant
01.2008 - 01.2011

Director - BusinessDevelopment

National Banana
01.2007 - 03.2008

Director- Business Development & Programming

MSpot
01.2005 - 01.2007

Marketing

North Carolina A&T State University
Cary Grant JrMedia Executive