Director Marketing Strategy – MSG Sphere

Description

Role Summary

The Madison Square Garden Company’s vision is to revolutionize entertainment through MSG Sphere – state-of-the-art venues that will pioneer the next generation of immersive experiences and create unforgettable moments. MSG Sphere will utilize a number of cutting-edge technologies to become the first venue to deliver large-scale, fully immersive experiences. Inside the venue, these technologies include: the largest and highest resolution LED screen on Earth; an advanced acoustics system featuring beamforming technology; an infrasound haptic system that uses vibrations so guests can “feel” the experience; and connectivity that will deliver 25 megabits per second for every guest. Together these technologies will create a powerful platform, making MSG Sphere the venue of choice for a wide variety of content -- including attractions, concerts, residencies, corporate events, product launches and select sporting events. This marketing role is responsible for supporting the launch of the revolutionary Sphere brand with specific focus on developing and executing B2B and B2C brand strategies and go-to-market initiatives for the first Sphere in the Las Vegas market. This individual will help direct and manage all brand and marketing activities and creation of brand asset library and its application, ensuring the value proposition and positioning is consistent, compelling, and relevant across all touchpoints. This position will work directly with communications, technology, marketing partnerships, and the studios team to support their related initiatives. As audience growth and development will be key goal for this position, in-depth knowledge and understanding of digital platforms and how to leverage them to drive awareness, affinity, and engagement, and fan growth is crucial. Previous experience leading brand and product launches, as well as familiarity with the live entertainment, hospitality, technology, or digital platform industries ideal. Ability to foster productive relationships with multiple internal stakeholders, and to move complex projects forward on time and on budget to achieve business goals is also required. This position is based onsite in Los Angeles at the MSG Sphere Studios offices reporting into supervisor based in NYC. Periodic travel to NY and Las Vegas required of this position.

Specific Functions/Activities Summary

• Develop a solid understanding of the LV market, its audiences, and our future fan base by working directly with the insights/analytics teams as well as our LV resources.
• Stay abreast of competitive activity, sales, and most importantly, future trends to inform marketing initiatives specifically in the areas of advancing technology, entertainment, immersive experiences, AR/VR, etc.
• Develop marketing plans and brand initiatives to meet business and company goals starting with B2B support for partners/sponsors/creators as well as B2C efforts directed towards future fans and audiences.
• Support development of audience segmentation and growth plans
• Complete development of brand guidelines for MSG Sphere and maintain an updated and relevant asset library. Ensure consistency of brand narrative, tone and voice and assets in all content & touchpoints.
• Create the briefs for the creative process, and internal and external partners
• Maintain relationships with external vendors/agencies ensuring all deliverables are met.
• Work cross-functionally across the organization to deliver on time, on budget, and against established objectives, including regular collaboration with creative, production, and technical teammates, and key stakeholders.
• Mentor and develop junior members of strategy team to grow their skills and capabilities
• Manage all related brand and marketing budgets, including media budgets via the media team/agency.

• 7-10 years’ experience in marketing or advertising with a strong background and interest in entertainment, theater, hospitality, technology, or venue attractions.
• Experience in marketing plan development and implementation
• Ability to influence and collaborate without direct reporting relationships, across multiple levels of the organization
• Experience managing creative development process from writing a brief, legal review, approvals process, production and traffic.  Strong project management experience in a matrix organization preferred.
• Competency with analytics and interpretation of demographic, database, research and competitive data, to inform marketing strategies
• Fluency in digital platforms and their application to meet marketing, brand, and audience development goals (particularly LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Reddit)
• Exceptional verbal and written communication, negotiation, project management and time management skills required
• A passion for creative problem-solving and strategic thinking
• Ability to remain flexible and calm in high-pressure situations
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, PowerPoint

The Company requires that all individuals, subject to certain limited exceptions, be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.  The Company will consider requests for reasonable accommodations regarding this requirement.