JILL MOLINA GAFFANEY
Marina Del rey,CA
Summary
Culturally fluent Marketing Leader with 13+ years of experience at the intersection of entertainment, brand strategy, and multi-platform partnerships. Proven track record of driving brand affinity and business impact through high-visibility initiatives across TV/OTT, film, talent, and digital ecosystems. Expert at authoring insight-led briefs and leading cross-functional teams to execute 360-degree marketing moments that resonate with fans and drive retail traffic.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Brand Partnerships
EMERGENT MEDIA
El Segundo, CA
01.2025 - 11.2025
- Lead the strategic development of entertainment-driven marketing programs for a social-first publisher, focusing on travel and lifestyle content that connects with Millennial and Gen Z audiences.
- Drive cultural relevance by identifying talent and creator partnerships that resulted in a 2.3x increase in engagement rates and 112% over-delivery on campaign benchmarks.
- Manage the full lifecycle of complex media strategies, ensuring seamless execution across digital, social, and experiential touchpoints.
- Act as a primary spokesperson for brand initiatives, influencing internal creative and production teams to deliver bold, storytelling-heavy content.
Director, Integrated Marketing
ESSENCE VENTURES INC. (ESSENCE Magazine)
Remote
02.2023 - 12.2024
- Owned the marketing strategy and go-to-market plans for 360-degree partnership packages ($500k-$10M) centered on fashion, beauty, and entertainment culture.
- Authored clear, insight-led briefs that translated complex cultural moments into integrated marketing opportunities for Fortune 500 clients like Meta, McDonald's, and AT&T.
- Positioned the brand as a cultural thought leader, driving an 11% revenue increase in the first 5 months through innovative sponsorship and experiential models.
- Collaborated cross-functionally with PR, Social, and Legal teams to ensure all entertainment initiatives aligned with brand values and business priorities.
Director, Brand Partnerships
BENLABS (A BILL GATES COMPANY)
Sherman Oaks, CA
03.2017 - 12.2022
- Led the integration of brands into the 'entertainment diet' of consumers through custom TV, Film, and OTT content strategies.
- Utilized AI-powered trend analysis and customer insights to identify high-impact influencer and celebrity talent for innovative brand campaigns.
- Exceeded revenue goals by $9.75M in 2021 by evolving partnership strategies based on performance metrics and shifting cultural trends.
- Mentored a high-performing team, fostering a culture of accountability and bold thinking while navigating the rapidly changing digital entertainment landscape.
Senior Manager, Brand Integrations and Sponsorships
NBC UNIVERSAL
Universal City, CA
11.2014 - 03.2017
- Spearheaded entertainment-driven marketing initiatives for Access Hollywood and Access Hollywood LIVE, identifying opportunities for brands to show up authentically within pop culture.
- Generated $3.1M+ in revenue by developing contextually relevant integrations for CPG, lifestyle, and fashion brands.
- Managed relationships with show producers, talent, and external agencies to ensure flawless execution of branded entertainment segments.
Coordinator, Branded Entertainment
WARNER BROS. / TELEPICTURES PRODUCTIONS
Burbank, CA
03.2013 - 11.2014
- Developed integration segments for Extra, ensuring alignment between entertainment content and brand objectives.
- Monitored industry and entertainment trends to inform the development of pitch materials and strategic business cases.
Education
Marketing Coursework -
UCLA Extension
M.D.R. Law - undefined
Pepperdine University
B.A. - Communication
University of Southern California (USC)
Skills
Entertainment Strategy: Cultural Platform Leadership, Talent & Creator Partnerships, Fandom Engagement
Campaign Excellence: End-to-End Program Management, GTM Strategy, Consumer-Obsessed Briefing
Relationship Management: Studio & Agency Relations, Executive Stakeholder Influence, Multi-year Deals
Business Impact: Data-Driven Insights, Trend Analysis, Budget Management, Growth Mindset
Websites
Timeline
Director, Brand Partnerships
EMERGENT MEDIA
01.2025 - 11.2025
Director, Integrated Marketing
ESSENCE VENTURES INC. (ESSENCE Magazine)
02.2023 - 12.2024
Director, Brand Partnerships
BENLABS (A BILL GATES COMPANY)
03.2017 - 12.2022
Senior Manager, Brand Integrations and Sponsorships
NBC UNIVERSAL
11.2014 - 03.2017
Coordinator, Branded Entertainment
WARNER BROS. / TELEPICTURES PRODUCTIONS
03.2013 - 11.2014
M.D.R. Law - undefined
Pepperdine University
B.A. - Communication
University of Southern California (USC)
Marketing Coursework -
UCLA Extension