Kirk Olson

About Kirk Olson

Summary of QualificationsSeasoned strategic marketing, communications, insights, and media professional with experience across business categories (media, CPG, food and beverage, retail, automotive). Creative approach to multiple business challenges from marketing and branding to product innovation. Expert management of relationships with executive clients at global companies (ViacomCBS, Procter & Gamble, General Mills, Adidas). Skilled practitioner of quantitative, qualitative and cultural research design, execution and analysis. Trained in focus group moderation (RIVA Institute 2008). Well-versed in critical theory, anthropology and ethnographic methods. Experience managing teams through complex short- and long-term projects.

Experience

1. Senior Vice President, Entertainment Insights and Consulting

   Horizon Media

   Jun 2022 — Present · New York, NY, US

   Key clients: AMC Networks, A&E Global Media, Bleecker Street Films, Lionsgate, Starz, Paramount Global• Established industry-specific strategic research and insights group fully embedded within the Horizon Entertainment business solutions division, responsible for delivery of agency’s suite of media, marketing, communications, and business strategy services• Lead team of entertainment-focused strategists and consultants in delivery of brand and title-specific marketing strategies as well as revenue-generating custom client projects and topical thought leadership studies• Custom projects include: concept and title testing; tracking studies; entertainment genre studies; complex multi-variate segmentations, and more. • Thought leadership topics include: the ever-changing paths to viewing in the streaming age; the evolving impact of content seasonality; the resonance and influence of brands in a complex and crowded entertainment marketplace; appealing to tv, streaming, and moviegoing audiences across the full socio-political spectrum, and more.• Pioneer Horizon’s proprietary Entertainment Need States (ENS) framework, based in an occasions segmentation that captures the time, situation, content, and mood factors that influence entertainment choices• Collaborate with data and product organization on the development of blu, Horizon’s AI-powered connected marketing platform and, in particular, best practices and business applications for the entertainment industry• Manage client delivery, talent development, staffing, and profitability across bi-coastal team• Responsible for directing team and/or delivering strategic marketing and business insights for new business RFIs, proposals, and pitches. Wins include AMC Networks, Lionsgate, and Starz

Education

• Columbia University

  Master of Science - MS, Strategic Communications

  2009 — 2012

• Hamline University

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, English and French

  1992 — 1995

• Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Paris

  Certificate, Business French

• Université Sorbonne Nouvelle

  Critical Studies Program

  1994 — 1995

Skills

• Problem Solving
• Crm
• Segmentation
• Advertising
• Integrated Marketing
• Consumer Behaviour
• Digital Strategy
• Consumer Insight
• Competitive Intelligence
• Competitive Analysis
• Marketing Strategy
• Ethnography
• Marketing Communications
• Strategy
• Customer Insight
• Quantitative Research
• Marketing Research
• Focus Groups
• Market Research
• Social Media
• Project Management
• Digital Marketing
• Analytics
• Business Strategy
• Brand Architecture
• Qualitative Research
• Digital Media