James Finch

Past

Consultant at Warner Bros. Studios
Vice President Team Leader, Corporate Technology and Entertainment at Beck Media and Marketing
Director, Corporate Communications and Marketing at Ascent Media Group

Account Director at The Adcock Group
Manager, Media Relations and Marketing Services at The Bulldog Group / Sony Pictures Entertainment
Marketing and Communications Coordinator at Sony Pictures Entertainment • Digital Studios

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Education

University of North Texas

Recommended

6 people have recommended James

Connections

92 connections

Industry

Public Relations and Communications

Websites

My Company

James Finch’s Summary

Over twelve years experience in corporate communications, media relations and marketing with additional experience in media buying and planning. Skilled in executing successful internal/external communication campaigns while working simultaneously across multiple disciplines including studio, in-house and agency environments. Global media outreach experience in the Americas, Europe, Japan and Singapore empowered by established relationships with key journalists and industry analysts covering the media and entertainment (M&E) industry. Broad-scope knowledge of M&E businesses: traditional film and television publicity, creative post production, media management, network services, systems integration, enterprise software applications, home entertainment, digital content distribution, wireless, gaming and new media.

James Finch’s Specialties:

corporate communications, issues communications, film and television publicity, creative post production, media management, network services, systems integration, enterprise software applications, home entertainment, digital content distribution, wireless, gaming and new media.

James Finch’s Experience

Consultant

Warner Bros. Studios

(Public Relations and Communications industry)

October 2008 — May 2009 (8 months)

Brought in-house from the agency of record (Beck Media and Marketing) to publicize the launch of WB.com, Warner Bros. Animation and associated properties including KidsWB.com and KidsWBJr.com across consumer and trade media. Responsibilities expanded to include the day-to-day communications for Warner Bros. Animation and acting as the primary liaison to Cartoon Network for current broadcast series and consumer events.

• Engaged to publicize the launch of TheWB.com to trade, consumer and technology media. TheWB.com is a premium, ad-supported, video-on-demand, interactive and personalized network created as part of WBTVG’s strategic expansion into digital production and broadband distribution. Strategy and outreach focused on four main elements: original programming (created or acquired), the re-purposing of The WB Network’s most popular series and programming, interactivity and the distribution partner’s network.
• Created and placed corporate communications announcements for Warner Bros. Animation including executive news, business milestones, and digital media initiatives tied to KidsWB.com and KidsWBJr.com.
• Responsible for the creation and execution of panels at consumer events such as Comic Con and WonderCon. These panels capitalized on corporate synergy across Timer Warner divisions including DC Comics, Warner Bros. Animation, Warner Bros. Television and Cartoon Network.
• Directed and executed media outreach and logistics for the WBA Billboard Event, which celebrates 80 years of classic WB animation. Hosted by EXTRA’s Mario Lopez, the special event was open to the public and featured live entertainment, games and prizes in street festival setting on the lot.
Vice President Team Leader, Corporate Technology and Entertainment

Beck Media and Marketing

(Privately Held; Public Relations and Communications industry)

April 2007 — October 2008 (1 year 7 months)

Responsible for the day-to-day leadership of the corporate technology and entertainment practice creating and executing innovative corporate communications, media relations and marketing activities across traditional and online media. Charged with growing the practice while managing multiple outside vendors and resources.

• Supervised all aspects of client service and acted as the primary contact directing all day-to-day account activities.
• Collaborated with clients to create impactful messaging and communications strategy to support business goals.
• Created and implemented strategic communications campaigns to support public relations, create thought leadership and to support crisis management to initiatives with constituents.
• Supervised writing and editing assignments, collateral production, EPKs and digital content production.
• Developed new business leads, acquired new clients and developed strategic partnerships while managing associated client/vendor contract negotiations, budgets and RFPs.
Director, Corporate Communications and Marketing

Ascent Media Group

(Public Company; ASCMA; Entertainment industry)

February 2003 — September 2006 (3 years 8 months)

Led the creation and execution of innovative corporate communications, media relations and marketing solutions for publicly traded Ascent Media Group (AMG) to support $700 M net revenue and 4,000 employees worldwide.

• Directed message creation and made recommendations to ensure positive coverage and increased awareness of filmed entertainment, academy and guild campaigns, technology initiatives, new products and services, issues management, employee communications and other business milestone announcements to stakeholders.
• Collaborated with executive staff across divisions to identify key business initiatives for publicity opportunities.
• Acted as the primary public relations contact with parent company Liberty Media, communicating parent company initiatives to employees, clients and media.
• Drafted and supervised daily writing assignments including top stories, company events, employee profiles, bios, interview scripts, speeches, and articles for various company and external vehicles.
• Secured high visibility CEO level keynote and speaking opportunities at industry events and forums including NAB, IBC, CTAM, NATPE, SMPTE, AMIA, Siggraph, CES, Seybold, Digital Hollywood, GDC and CTIA.
• Monitored media placements and campaign efficiency to ensure that communications were timely and relevant to industry trends and competitors.
• Responsible for the selection and budget management of outside vendors for the creation of content, collateral, case studies, website design, product demos, promotional items and events.
• Led multiple strategic campaigns to build awareness of AMG offerings to the media and entertainment industry including the Sony Pictures/HP/AMG Partnership, which generated in excess of 106M gross impressions.
Account Director

The Adcock Group

(Public Relations and Communications industry)

April 2002 — February 2004 (1 year 11 months)

Led public relations and direct marketing B2B programs for software and hardware manufacturers, service providers and non-profit organizations serving the entertainment industry focused on postproduction, interactive applications and gaming, VOD, digital rights management, digital content distribution and encryption technologies.

• Acted as main contact for clients collaborating daily with multiple stakeholders across marketing, sales, business development and engineering to create and execute media plans.
• Pitched and produced media placement, collateral, case studies and created website content.
• Compiled market research and analyzed segments to support product development, sales and communications.
Manager, Media Relations and Marketing Services

The Bulldog Group / Sony Pictures Entertainment

(Public Relations and Communications industry)

December 1999 — February 2002 (2 years 3 months)

Led corporate communications and public relations functions for a joint venture financed by Sony Pictures Entertainment, Sun Microsystems, Oracle and other venture capital firms focused on digital content and distribution.

• Directed the creation and execution of public relations campaigns to ensure positive coverage of technology initiatives, new products and services, issues management, and other business milestones to stakeholders.
• Pitched and produced all media placement, collateral, case studies and website content to ensure consistency.
• Led the redesign of the Bulldog corporate website to feature interactive ROI tools, domain and application demos, “press room” and opt-in registration to build a database for targeted marketing programs. As a result, traffic jumped from 10.0K visitors per month to 50.0K.
• Created media campaigns targeting major trade shows and events, building thought leadership and increasing sales lead generation results from 125 to 2200 leads and press, research and analyst meetings by over 700%.
• Negotiated and managed outside vendor contracts resulting in cost savings of up to 80% off rate card for advertising, research, services, events and content licensing costs.
• Directed media outreach activities to support an 18-month product roadmap and programs that resulted in growing revenues from $6.5M to $13.6M.
Marketing and Communications Coordinator

Sony Pictures Entertainment • Digital Studios

(Public Relations and Communications industry)

October 1996 — December 1999 (3 years 3 months)

Member of a three person team responsible for the corporate communications, public relations, and marketing strategies supporting eight entities within Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment including; Sony Pictures Imageworks, Sony Pictures High Definition Center, Sony Pictures DVD Center, Digital Post Production, Worldwide Product Fulfillment, Worldwide Satellite Operations and Pavlov Productions.

• Collaborated daily with executives to evaluate current public relations and marketing activities to update and adjust to reflect product/services and market changes.
• Identified appropriate opportunities to build synergy across Sony Corporation with a focus on Sony Pictures Entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment (PlayStation) and Sony Electronics.
• Collaborated with studio publicity departments to secure media opportunities for talent, directors, below-the-line talent to support consumer and trade initiatives including awards consideration for industry guilds and science/technical nominations.
• Managed the creation and distribution of EPKs that included repurposing digital assets for trade shows, strategic partners and home entertainment bonus materials.

James Finch’s Education

University of North Texas

BS of Journalism, Marketing and Management Minors , Journalism

Activities and Societies:

Sigma Tau Gamma, University of North Texas Newspaper Staff