John Riel

- Collaborated with stationery licensee on Hello Kitty program, making it one of their most successful launches and resulting in product sell out in first 24 hours. - Established strong relationships with licensees and served as key day-to-day contact. - Improved development and approval process with crate subscription licensee resulting in first on time shipping in over a year along with a 20% + increase in subscriptions. - Clearly communicated with internal cross-functional teams (e.g. creative, marketing) on special projects, retail presentations, etc. - Initiated social marketing post between internal marketing team and pet licensee culminating in product sell out on Target.com. - Drafted Letters of Intent, One-time Authorization, Amendment Requests and Agreement Renewals. - Worked directly with partners on issues involving product development, branding, execution, approval status and maintaining timelines. - Expedited internal processing of licensee requests to meet our sales goals and maximize each licensees business potential.

- Managed licensed auto accessory entertainment group program for Plasticolor/Chroma. - Knowledge of general manufacturing principles in relation to licensed product. - Acted as internal point person for licensors with product submissions and approvals and product development. - Facilitated approval process fro product and marketing materials. - Licensors include Disney, Warner Brothers, Marvel and Sanrio - Covering properties such as Black Panther, Deadpool, Star Wars, Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Hello Kitty and Betty Boop. - Worked cross functionally with sales and product development teams.

- Increased profitability by aligning vendor essentials with internal pricing, ticketing and product placement. - Focused branding efforts with owner to align messaging across multiple social media channels. -Ensure financial integrity through POS reconciliation, vendor prioritization and merchandise settlement. - Sales and customer service representative.

-Translated beverage brand strategy into innovative merchandising programs to increase brand footprints and fuel dynamic business growth as part of Diageo’s comprehensive trademark licensing business for brands such as Guinness, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Smirnoff, Red Stripe, Crown Royal and Bundaberg Rum. -Grew Bundaberg Rum Licensing by 400% in one year through strategic product development and design. -Spearheaded global redesign/development for Baileys, Guinness and Smirnoff European gift packs generating 6.2M in revenue. -Managed global approval of advertising/marketing materials and all licensed products. -Developed brand licensing strategy by collaborating with cross functional and global beverage teams. -Guided product development of Crown Royal sponsored NASCAR merchandise for Jamie McMurray, Kurt Busch and Matt Kenseth. -Directed development and design of online brand asset site creating centralized library for all licensed brand creative materials. -Managed product development with licensees across North America, Europe, and Australia.