Director, Marketing - ComicArts Job at Harry N Abrams Inc in New York

Position: Director, Marketing – ComicArts

About us

Founded in 1949, ABRAMS was the first company in the United States to specialize in publishing art and illustrated books. The company continues to publish critically acclaimed and bestselling works in the areas of art, photography, cooking, craft, comics, interior and garden design, entertainment, fashion, and popular culture as well as narrative non-fiction and new works of fiction for adults; children’s books ranging from middle grade to young adult fiction to picture books to board books. ABRAMS creates and distributes brilliantly designed books with the highest production values under the following imprints: Abrams; Abrams ComicArts; Megascope; Surely Books; Abrams Image; Abrams Press; The Overlook Press; Cernunnos; Cameron + Company; Abrams Books for Young Readers; Amulet Books; Abrams Appleseed; and Magic Cat. ABRAMS also distributes books for Booth-Clibborn Editions, Bungie, Alain Ducasse Édition, Èditions de La Martiniére, Editions BPI, Global Golf Group, Lucky Spool, Milky Way Picture Books, The Museum of Modern Art, SelfMadeHero, Tate Publishing, V&A Publishing, and The Vendome Press.

Company Overview: Abrams is seeking a visionary and dynamic Director of Marketing to spearhead campaign planning for our Abrams ComicArts division. This is an exciting leadership role where you will play a pivotal part in shaping the marketing strategy for graphic novels, comics, and manga, collaborating with major entertainment brands like Marvel and DC, as well as bestselling creators such as Frank Miller, Alex Ross, Patrick McDonnell, Matt Groening, John Jennings, and Mariko Tamaki.

You will have the opportunity to lead the marketing vision for our newly launched Kana manga imprint, joining the ComicArts team as we celebrate 15 years of publishing award-winning and bestselling graphic novels.

Key Responsibilities:

• Campaign Development: Strategically develop and execute compelling marketing campaigns tailored for graphic novels, comics, and manga titles, targeting both consumers and industry stakeholders.
• Budget Management: Oversee the marketing budget for Abrams ComicArts and comic conventions, ensuring cost-effective strategies that align with sales goals.
• Social Media Oversight: Manage and enhance the social media presence for @abramscomicarts and @kanamanga_us.
• Event Coordination: Plan and coordinate Abrams ComicArts and Kana's participation at key national and regional comic conventions, collaborating closely with the Senior Publicist.
• Stakeholder Communication: Provide regular updates on campaign progress to key internal teams and external stakeholders, including licensors, creators, and agents. Present campaigns and seasonal strategies at internal and external meetings.
• Marketing Materials Creation: Oversee the creation of all marketing and advertising materials, managing the process from copywriting through design and production.
• Retail Marketing Collaboration: Work closely with the internal Sales team and accounts to develop retail marketing strategies, optimizing title visibility and availability in stores and online platforms.
• Relationship Building: Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including comic creators, licensors, and retailers, to enhance cross-promotion efforts.
• Performance Analysis: Analyze marketing performance metrics, sales data, and reader feedback to evaluate campaign effectiveness, utilizing data to inform decisions.
• Market Research: Conduct thorough market research to identify target audiences, analyze trends, and monitor competitor activities within the comic and manga industries.
• Industry Awareness: Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging platforms, and marketing best practices relevant to comics and manga.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field preferred.
• 7-10 years of experience in comics, manga marketing, or a related field.
• Proven track record as a senior marketer, preferably with a focus on entertainment or publishing.
• Strong expertise in digital marketing channels, social media platforms, and community engagement strategies.
• Experience in planning and executing conferences and events.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to create compelling marketing narratives.
• A creative mindset with a passion for storytelling and visual arts.
• Strong analytical skills for interpreting data and optimizing marketing strategies.
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative and fast-paced environment while managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Familiarity with comic book culture, manga genres, and audience preferences is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in Mac OS and MS Office Suite, especially Excel and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of project management tools like Monday.com or Basecamp, email marketing platforms (such as Mailchimp), HTML, Adobe Creative Suite, and Canva is a plus.
• Willingness to travel 2-3 times per year.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary: $100,000 – $115,000 annually
• Comprehensive health insurance
• Retirement savings plan
• Paid time off
• Company-paid time off during Christmas week
• Opportunities for professional development

This position is based in our New York City office with a hybrid work schedule (in-office 3 days per week).

Application Instructions: Please submit your resume and cover letter for consideration.