Kara Rich

Responsible for leading and generating GSUSA licensing partnerships across food & beverage, publishing, toys and beauty/personal care categories into multiple grocery and retail platforms to reach brand objectives and profitability goals.

● Reversed four quarters of missed projections by developing and executing a successful licensing strategy to build a licensing portfolio that delivered a record 41% YOY revenue growth in 12 months.

● Extended the brand into new platforms and retailers including the first-time placement at Whole Foods and in-store bakery, increased the number of products at club and convenience stores, and developed top-selling confectionery items at Costco.

● Launched over 10 new products and developed a 3-year pipeline with major food & beverage brands including Nestle, Kraft, Kellogg’s, Skippy/Hormel, Entenmann’s and General Mills.

● Developed the Native X Girl Scout line of personal care for Target that achieved XXX press impressions – (ADD IN METRICS)

● Successfully raised minimum guarantees and royalty rates for year-to-year business growth, negotiated key licenses, managed licensing team and agencies, and responsible for marketing efforts that increase brand awareness.

● Streamlined operations for increased efficiency with process improvements and automation.

● Developed strong relationships with key industry partners, fostering collaboration and mutual growth opportunities.

● Enhanced internal communication channels, resulting in improved information flow and decision-making processes.

Created and implemented Edible's first licensing strategy to monetize their intellectual property. Developed new food & beverage CPG products, Edible exclusive music albums and multi-channel digital experiences

• Generated $3M+ in new revenue in 2 years by launching licensed frozen desserts in grocer and digital experiences on the company’s eCommerce platform.
• Executed the product category review with a fact-based consumer focused approach to category and item selection utilizing the Edible consumer profile match, market size and 3-year growth category rates, leading to the development of a 2-year pipeline of frozen dessert products.
• Directed all sourcing and product development including vetting qualified suppliers against item specification requirements and managed the creative team for package and label designs.
• Secured 400+ points of distribution with vendors including Piggly Wiggly and Dierbergs by managing target retail selection, mass distributor negotiations and order management.
• Created Facebook shopper marketing and couponing programs that drove product awareness and sales lift.
• Managed external vendors to develop and implement new processes that drive licensing royalty revenue.
• Responsible for P&L management, pricing strategy, distribution agreements, label accuracy, packaging design, brand alignment, shopper marketing tactics and promotional campaigns.
• Directed cross-functional teams in Innovation, Marketing, Supply Chain, IT, eCommerce and Finance to ensure product coordination, adequate product testing and effective launch coordination and execution.

Established global licensed partnerships for airlines throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico

• Delivered $52M in new licensed onboard product agreements with Delta, United and American Airlines.
• Developed profitable, high-profile licensing partnerships through product development, brand positioning, trend analysis and innovative marketing/media solutions.
• Secured $20M contract with Le Labo in partnership with Delta Air Lines to target high-value customers in promoting vital global market expansion throughout Asia.
• Negotiated and secured $24M deal for Sunday Riley onboard United Airlines, resulting in increased vertical sales for the company by designing targeted product placement and marketing campaigns.
• Led cross-functional, global, remote teams in Legal, Finance, Supply Chain and Marketing by effectively communicating goals to drive profitability.

Built new partnerships and revenue streams by initiating innovative media and marketing solutions

• Enhanced customer experiences by providing streaming music services as Delta’s first onboard music discovery platform in partnership with Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group.
• Integrated additional entertainment partnerships into corporate media assets by providing new services via entertainment platforms to the public.
• Managed UTA agency relationship and networked into the leading movie studios and record labels.

Monetized the Delta audience by developing a new advertising platform used by prominent brands and agencies through key pricing methods and target brand strategies.

• Launched the first corporate media publishing platform for earning additional non-transportation revenue using multimedia data and digital content.
• Created the first onboard safety video product placement with Beats by Dre.
• Developed new value propositions for marketing plans aimed at boosting external assets and resources by using quality pricing tactics, resulting in annual profit increase.

Oversaw operations and P&L for public relations firm specializing in hospitality, lifestyle and consumer product industries.

• Achieved growth in annual revenue and profit by securing 37 new accounts in 18 months, increasing corporate expansion strategies through organizational growth and following brand channel development directions.
• Led disciplined growth strategy by performing multi-city market analysis to launch the first satellite office; profitable within four months of opening the new location.
• Secured premium brand accounts included the St. Regis Hotel Atlanta, Loews Hotel Atlanta, Porsche NA and Jean-Georges Restaurants.
• Created the Porsche Peachtree Drive, a unique event featuring 130 vintage and new Porsches to celebrate the sponsorship of the Art of the Automobile at the High Museum of Art.