Content Pipeline & Acquisition Executive, International Formats

Please note that this role is based in the United Kingdom. In order to enable us to meet statutory and regulatory obligations of the United Kingdom immigration system you must have the appropriate immigration permission needed to work and reside in the United Kingdom for the duration of the employment.

The role of the Content Pipeline & Acquisition Executive is to support the International Formats team and global unscripted production companies in driving sales of Sony’s Formats and Unscripted catalogue. This role sits in the central International Formats division and reports to the Director of International Formats. They are required to have a solid understanding of the global unscripted format landscape, understanding international market trends and how successful formats can be developed, scaled and adapted in different markets around the world.

You will co-ordinate with all Sony’s Unscripted Production Companies (referred to as Opcos) to review their development pipeline and identify potential global formats. In this role, you are responsible for tracking, monitoring and assisting in assessing the product in the pipeline to identify projects suitable for international distribution. You work with the International Formats production, marketing and sales leads to support the creation of appropriate sales materials and internal briefing materials. The role will also be responsible for ensuring that the Unscripted Opcos are kept up to date with relevant Sony catalogue developments.

Working with the SVP of International Formats and the Director of International Formats, the role will also actively seek to acquire formats from 3rd parties, requiring an ability to confidently network with creators, identify potential formats for acquisition, provide feedback, track and manage the internal review process. This role will take the lead in regularly updating Sony’s unscripted production companies and 3rd party format owners to share sales and negotiation updates for their respective IP. The role will also monitor the wider format and unscripted industry to keep the central format team updated with key new title launches, product trends and working with the Sony Research international format lead, assist in co-ordinating specific market research needs both with Sony’s research teams and our 3rd party agencies (including K7 Media).

What you'll do:

Working with Sony’s Opcos – manage regular touch points with all unscripted Opcos to ensure the timely exchange of product information including:

• Gather materials from Sony op cos and keep up to date information on current slate priorities and pipelines for our companies in UK, USA, Australia, Mexico and Brazil.
• Maintaining a database of assets for titles in development and production from opcos to be circulated to internal stakeholders as needed.
• Making sure all relevant information on current, in development and older titles is updated in our internal trackers and taking responsibility for updating key internal stakeholders
• Part of key team identifying potential titles of interest to the format sales team, prioritising information gathering for this product and creating sales briefing documents.
• Keeping Opcos regularly updated with information regarding sales and production activity from across the globe.

Unscripted Format expert for wider Sony Distribution team

• Working with new and catalogue titles for the following:
• Creating and updating Sales Briefing notes and other assets as agreed
• Creating strategic / competitor analysis as requested and contributing to territory rollout strategy
• Brief marketing team on required assets, tone, content and format elements, to aid marketing in the creation of new and updated marketing assets
• Assisting marketing with the creation and updating of format promos
• Scripting and creating format pitches as requested
• Leading client pitches if requested
• Contributing to the monthly format update sales presentation for all Internal Stakeholders with SVP for International Formats, Director of International Formats, and the Format Marketing team, contributing with the presentation of OpCo and pipeline updates when relevant.
• As required, create client pitches, including presenting both in person and remotely to provide specialist product knowledge and support for sales
• Managing the creation of product presentations for key markets under the direction of the Format Sales execs (MIP, NATPE, ATF, LAS etc), local screenings, Showcase, as applicable. Sourcing guests and speakers if required.
• Preparing format summaries for Distribution purposes as required
• Sourcing appropriate screeners and up to date marketing material for new and catalogue titles
• Working with our International Production team to provide product updates and working with the team on creative development of existing titles.

Acquisitions and 3rd Party Formats: Pivotal member of a cross-department team to determine unscripted acquisition strategy, establish contact and build relationships with 3rd party creators/producers, track and manage internal review process of all 3rd party projects.

• Supporting the team in creating an acquisition strategy with market and trend information
• Researching and building relationships with creators with ideas that could be targets for acquisition
• Track and managing an internal process of review of any ideas received
• Tracking sales activity for our existing 3rd party formats and compile sales activity reports as needed for the IP owners.
• Supporting Formats Research lead to provide information for competitive landscape analysis for potential acquisitions as requested.

Unscripted Format Market monitoring: working with our internal Sony Research format lead to provide relevant and timely specialist market knowledge for unscripted formats

• Track international format trends and significant updates via K7, C21, Broadcast, TBI, TVBizz and other sources as agreed
• Organise and manage regular market updates for our Opcos and Sales teams with relevant internal research presentations and external research agencies
• Co-ordinate special projects with Sony’s Research teams in each region as applicable
• Source 3rd party screeners or detailed information as required

What you have:

• Typically, 3 years in a TV production/distribution with 12 months in an unscripted acquisition and/or development role
• Highly proficient in Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel and Word, Outlook.
• Passionate and knowledgeable about UNSCRIPTED FORMAT TV Landscape both in UK and internationally
• Knowledge of key players in unscripted format landscape, the ideal candidate will be building their own network of creatives and producers in unscripted entertainment
• Exceptionally organized with the proven ability to collaborate with multiple teams across different timezones
• Excellent interpersonal skills to build strong working relationships.
• Excellent writing skills with first class attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal communication skills with experience in presenting both in person and remotely
• Self-motivated team player and facilitator.
• Ability to coordinate and work in a high-paced and dynamic environment

How we take care of you:

• Competitive salary, with annual bonus eligibility.
• A choice of comprehensive health plan options that fit your lifestyle including private medical insurance.
• Rest and recharge during a week off during the winter holidays, in addition to the 25 days of paid annual leave.
• Participate in extensive learning & development opportunities at all levels, including curated instructor-led classes and high impact online resources.
• Build your community by joining our Employee Business Resource Groups, and/or Sony Pictures Action – our racial equity and inclusion strategy.
• Access to an employee online store filled with a variety of discounted Sony products.
• Watch the newest movies and TV shows at our exclusive employee screenings at work.
• Entitlement to apply for an interest-free season ticket loan.
• Automatic enrolment in the Company’s Pension Plan
• Free counselling and advisory service.
• You will be automatically enrolled in the Company’s Life Insurance and Group Income Protection Plans subject to any applicable service requirements.
• The opportunity to attend various social events in our state-of-the-art offices in Paddington.

In addition to the above we have a range of other optional discounted benefits that are reviewed regularly (e.g., gym memberships, travel insurance, activity passes, car leasing, experience days and many more!) If you require any reasonable adjustments with any part of the recruitment process, including the application or interview process, please contact us at [email protected]. Please put Reasonable Adjustment Request in the subject line of the email.

Sony Pictures Entertainment is committed to equal opportunity in all its employment practices, policies and procedures. No worker or potential worker will therefore receive less favourable treatment due to their race, age, creed, sexual orientation, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, religion, gender, marital status or Trade Union membership (if applicable).

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