Open to opportunities

Ben Empey

@benempey

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Creative business strategist with 10+ years in entertainment and operations.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I am looking for a role that fosters creativity and strategic growth, where I can lead initiatives that drive measurable success.

With over a decade of experience in the entertainment industry, I am a creative and analytical business strategist dedicated to leading high-impact initiatives. My journey has taken me through various roles at Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon, where I have successfully managed multimillion-dollar brand activations and developed strategic plans for iconic franchises like SpongeBob SquarePants and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. My expertise lies in executive communications, vendor negotiations, and operational systems, enabling me to drive projects that resonate with audiences and achieve measurable outcomes.

Throughout my career, I have demonstrated a strong ability to discover business development opportunities and foster new partner relationships. Notably, I led the “Krabby Patty Kollab” brand activation with Wendy’s, managing a budget of over $1 million and coordinating cross-functional teams to bring this project to life. My role in producing the Mean Girls Cafeteria Pop-Up further exemplifies my capability to oversee complex projects, driving significant engagement and impressions. I am passionate about scaling creative business initiatives with clarity and structure, and I am eager to bring my skills to a manager or director role in strategy or operations.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Manager, Strategic Planning & Business Operations

Paramount Pictures & Nickelodeon

Feb 2023 - Present (2 years 5 months)

Discovered business development opportunities, negotiated contracts, and grew new partner relationships for IP-driven experiences. Developed multi-generational franchise strategy for priority IP like SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Mean Girls, and The Godfather, aligning cross-functional goals for dynamic long-range plans.

Business Development Contract Negotiation Budget Management Airtable Strategic Planning

Executive Assistant to COO

Paramount Pictures

Jul 2022 - Present (3 years)

Supported the COO and liaised across all major departments including Legal, Labor, Operations, HR, and Strategy. Managed daily operations including calendar, travel, expense reports, and high-level communications.

Executive Support Operational Management Event Production Calendar Management Travel Coordination Expense Reporting

Executive Assistant to EVP, Strategic Planning & Business Operations

Paramount Pictures

Apr 2017 - Present (8 years 3 months)

Handled executive calendar, travel, call sheets, and internal documents with precision and discretion. Supported department logistics and coordination of special projects and vendor contracts.

Executive Support Calendar Management Travel Coordination Document Management Project Coordination Logistics Discrétion

Executive Assistant to COO

Indian Paintbrush Productions

Aug 2016 - Present (8 years 11 months)

Tracked development contracts, administered payments, and supported Accounting and Legal teams. Managed archive and delivery of film assets to distributors; maintained guild and legal compliance.

Accounting Support Legal Compliance Guild Compliance Distribution

Creative Executive & Associate Producer

Bruce Cohen Productions

Mar 2014 - Present (11 years 4 months)

Served as Associate Producer on Bleed for This, acting as a core liaison between creative department heads and the lead producer while managing legal clearances and union/guild paperwork. Shepherded development of original film and television projects, evaluating scripts and pitches.

Associate Producer Union Guild Paperwork Script Evaluation Project Management

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

University of Southern California

B.A., Cinematic Arts Critical Studies

2010 - 2014

Grade: Magna Cum Laude

Graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Arts in Cinematic Arts Critical Studies. This program provided a deep understanding of film theory, history, and critical analysis.