Vanessa Grunstein
Burbank,CA
Summary
Business Affairs entertainment executive with over 15+ years of experience in connection with the development, financing and production of scripted, unscripted and animation television in long and short form. Effective negotiator with established industry connections.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
VP, Business Affairs
DreamWorks Studios
05.2021 - Current
- Negotiate above-the-line agreements for TV series, TV streaming movies and other TV productions developed and/or produced by DreamWorks Animation Television and its affiliated entities.
- Review contracts drafted by production attorneys to ensure compliance with deal terms.
- Draft and distribute memos summarizing deal parameters.
- Maintain relationships with internal clients, attorneys, agents and other representatives in the entertainment community.
- Review and advise on development and series TV animation budgets
- Advise and interface with all key company departments, including production, development, accounting, finance, labor and employment, marketing, consumer products, insurance, tax, distribution, trademark, and clearance teams on matters related to animated TV productions.
Business Affairs Executive
Quibi
06.2019 - 11.2020
- Business Affairs executive for $2B premium content, high profile start-up tech entertainment company founded by Jeffrey Katzenberg and Meg Whitman.
- Development and creation of innovative new deal models for a mobile-first SVOD platform and education of same to the wider entertainment community including agents and attorneys.
- Negotiated a high volume of deals and oversaw budgets for new media/short-form unscripted documentary, alternative programming and daily programming (e.g., news, sports, weather).
- Advised senior executives (including Katzenberg and Whitman) on Business Affairs strategy, deal status and decision-making.
- Communicated and collaborated in a cross-functional tech-specific environment and advised counterparts in product, ad sales, marketing, content and publicity departments on Business Affairs matters and restrictions,
- · Implemented innovative and creative problem solving and demonstrated continual flexibility to adapt to the fast-paced and high-pressure environment of a high-profile entertainment tech-start up.
Business Affairs Lead Executive
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
06.2018 - 02.2019
- Business Affairs executive at the Australian public television broadcaster overseeing the negotiation of scripted and unscripted projects in development & production for the comedy and children’s genres. Shows under purview included animated program “Bluey” (now on Disney+) and Netflix co-production comedy “The Letdown”.
- Managed budgets and financing and liaised between federal and state screen funding bodies (in grant, investment and tax offset administration capacity) producers, international distributors and international co-financiers to finalize deals and contracting.
- Ensure cohesion across various internal departments to ensure consistency of strategy and clear communication including Rights Management, Commercial, Distribution and Content Production.
VP Business Affairs
NBCUniversal
06.2015 - 05.2017
- Structured and negotiated complex deals for scripted and unscripted pilot and series for UCP (scripted studio) and networks USA and Syfy including the “Channel Zero” anthology for Syfy.
- Negotiated writer-producer, director, non-writing executive producer, casting director, line producer, production company and actor/talent deals on scripted and unscripted development and production.
- Liaised between NBCU creative executives, production management and internal ad sales and marketing teams, as well as acting as liaison between NBCU clients and external representatives in the marketplace (e.g., agents, managers, production companies etc.)
- Led projects and collated business data to ensure optimal response to a rapidly changing marketplace, and advised clients accordingly
- Reviewed budgets, production materials and other information relating to the development, licensing and production of television programs (including negotiating deals with streamers e.g., Netflix, YouTube etc).
VP Business & Legal Affairs
Ryan Seacrest Productions
09.2013 - 05.2015
- Head of production company’s business and legal affairs functions. Dual report into COO and President, RSP Creative.
- Structured, negotiated and drafted a wide range of agreements including: license and co- production agreements, producer and talent agreements (television and digital), participant agreements, location agreements, format licenses, music composer and publisher agreements, content acquisition, international distribution agreements and branded content/sponsorship agreements.
- Negotiated and drafted production services and talent agreements with broadcast and cable networks , digital production and those pertaining to live event space (iHeart Radio Awards)
- Oversaw budgets and other financial data and led, engaged and advised on strategy and risk assessment on company matters.
- · Communicated day-to-day with agents, managers, entertainment attorneys, in-house BALA departments at networks and outside counsel.
Director, Business Affairs
NBCUniversal
09.2010 - 09.2013
- Provided unscripted television Business Affairs function (including negotiation and drafting) to TV network clients: E!, Esquire, Style and G4 as well as in-house unscripted production company client (Wilshire Studios formally E! Studios). Developed and advised clients on commercial strategy and implement creative solutions.
Counsel
MTV Networks
06.2007 - 08.2010
- Provided full business affairs and legal service pertaining to intellectual property rights, including music clearance and licensing as well as execution of vendor and production agreements for all MTV award and other live events. Negotiated and drafted artist appearance and programming agreements for international and domestic talent, promoters, artist managers etc. Finalized hosting and performance deals with Slash, Pink, Kardashians, The Killers and other talent.
- Negotiated and drafted advertising sales agreements including spot buys and broader partnership and sponsorship agreements for in-house advertising sales teams across on-air and digital media platforms including sweepstakes and terms and conditions;
- Drafted and administered digital media agreements for distribution of MTV content including long form content (The Hills, Punk’d etc.)
- Implemented global record label deals (as between Viacom and major labels) and associated constraints on music video and music usage in MTV and Vh1 programming.
Attorney
Clayton Utz, Solicitors
06.2005 - 01.2007
- Attorney at top-tier Australian commercial law firm.
Education
Bachelors of Law -
University of Technology
Sydney05.2005
Bachelor of Science - Computing Science
University of Technology
Sydney05.2005
Skills
- Negotiation, drafting, strategy, leadership, budget oversight, problem-solving, communication, relationships, critical thinking, analysis, high volume environment, excellent written skills
Timeline
VP, Business Affairs
DreamWorks Studios
05.2021 - Current
Business Affairs Executive
Quibi
06.2019 - 11.2020
Business Affairs Lead Executive
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
06.2018 - 02.2019
VP Business Affairs
NBCUniversal
06.2015 - 05.2017
VP Business & Legal Affairs
Ryan Seacrest Productions
09.2013 - 05.2015
Director, Business Affairs
NBCUniversal
09.2010 - 09.2013
Counsel
MTV Networks
06.2007 - 08.2010
Attorney
Clayton Utz, Solicitors
06.2005 - 01.2007
Bachelors of Law -
University of Technology
Bachelor of Science - Computing Science
University of Technology
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