Manager, Publishing Creative

Purpose of the Role:

This creative role has been developed to support The Walt Disney Company Publishing team in Asia Pacific (APAC). This involves creating and reviewing branded content as well as working collaboratively with teams of artists, editors, and digital content developers to ensure all creatives properly align with Disney stories, sensitivities, and quality benchmarks.

An ideal candidate will have extensive knowledge of the Disney brand, franchises, characters and character properties, and stories. Experience and expertise in digital illustration is needed, as well as an understanding of art and design and establishing contexts within a dynamic storytelling venue. Familiarity with Manga development is a plus. The candidate should be able to apply creative concepts to multiple franchises, while maintaining the unique brand of visual storytelling that Disney is known for.

The Creative Manager should have previous art direction experience. They will be working in a collaborative environment across different countries and will need to have a global mindset and be a strong advocate of our brands. We are looking for energetic and proactive self-starters with the ability to produce quality branded content. and have excellent communication skills.

Areas of Responsibility:

• Generate innovative ideas and execute concepts that align with the brand vision and standards across various touchpoints, including print, digital, product, and educational materials.
• Work closely with licensees, category managers and creative directors to convey creative guidelines, brand integrity and Disney quality. This could include developing new product lines, so as to increase the revenue for the company.
• Supervise and direct local content and characters/design usage in print, digital, product, and educational materials, performing new licensees’ induction meetings on a regular basis.
• Review local licensee product submissions, product line artwork and branded content within our online approval process system.
• Manage the distribution of art resources, information and assets, i.e. style guides, art portfolios and brand manuals, between creative partners and external agencies.
• Provide creative solutions and support to commercial teams for pitches and presentations.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including marketing, product development, and sales, to ensure that creative outputs meet business objectives.
• Support the APAC Publishing Creative team with art/design requests and tasks.

Areas of Accountability:

This role will report to Senior Manager, APAC Creative Publishing, with dotted line reporting to the Global Art and Design team. Functional reporting into VP, APAC & MENA Publishing and Digital Experiences. They will have many touchpoints within the organization.

It is imperative that this person has strong art, design, creative and project management skills, and can deliver projects:

• Within / on budget
• To meet deadlines
• Using good communication skills
• To achieve creative excellence

Required Experiences and Professional Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher in Design, Graphics, Visual Arts/Communication, Advertising, or a related field.
• Experience: 3 to 5+ years of extensive experience in art, illustration, design, graphic arts, or media. Ideally, candidates will have a creative background in publishing, advertising agencies, or home entertainment.
• Portfolio: A strong design or digital portfolio showcasing creative work.
• Software Proficiency: Expertise in industry-standard software (Macintosh OS, Adobe Creative Suite – Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.), as well as Microsoft PowerPoint and Keynote.
• Multimedia Experience: Experience in multimedia storytelling is preferred.
• 3D Knowledge: Familiarity with 3D design concepts is advantageous.

Required Skills:

• Creative Skills: Exceptional ability to develop and execute innovative ideas in graphic and/or video formats.
• Illustration Skills: Possess illustration experience, with a foundation in drawing, color theory, and composition. Versatility in various illustration techniques and media is a plus.
• Adaptability: Thrives in a fast-paced environment with a proactive approach to creativity.
• Attention to Detail: A keen eye for detail and a strong passion for the Disney brand.
• Project Management: Excellent project management and analytical skills, with a proven track record of meeting deadlines.
• Design Knowledge: Broad design skill set and a strong understanding of trends, branding communications, and digital content creation, extending beyond social media platforms.
• Team Collaboration: Strong team player with a positive attitude and willingness to go the extra mile, including working extended hours when necessary to meet deadlines.
• Agency Management: Experience in managing and directing external production agencies and creative collaborators on various projects.
• Communication Skills: Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Language skills: Strong English and Japanese skills