Candidates About

 

James Barrow

Creating sane processes and procedures to improve efficiency in day-to-day tasks and projects

 

Energetic, highly motivated, and self-directed Project Manager with over 10 years’ experience whose management style is founded in collaboration and driving consensus. Superior ability to peer around the corner to drive the execution of projects that drive business goals, and deploy innovative technologies that result in improved systems, increased production and decreased expenses.

Ø  Comfortable delivering very black and white solutions from grey requirements.

Ø  The driving force that understands and orchestrates all the moving pieces

Ø  Works across business, product, and development teams to balance cost, schedule, and technical variables to deliver projects that delight customers.

 

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

NBC Universal | Universal City, CA                                                                     Sep 2015 - Jan 2018

Sr. Project Manager/Digital Distribution Operations & TV Fulfillment

Ran day-to-day operations of NBC/Comcast O&O networks on all platforms (iOS and Android apps, website, Apple TV, Kindle Fire and others) and oversaw emerging platforms. Directed content promotion, creation, and scheduling of in-app notifications; management of vendor relationships; quality assurance and troubleshooting, as well as led all product updates and future rollouts across all platforms, including commercials, on-air promotions, interstitials, music videos, shorts, short form & long-form.

·         Generated full-scale master project schedule and communication plans consisting of multiple projects and components to guide teams through processes that most effectively delivered solutions.

·         Delivered media services, especially streaming video & C3/D4, across multiple providers (cable/satellite/on-demand) and on multiple devices (STB, gaming consoles, AppleTV, Roku, PC/Mac, iPhone/iPad/Android mobile devices etc.) and across multiple formats (MP4, HLS, etc.).

·         Oversaw system integration efforts and monitored associated impacts, articulating the way changes affected the users on a day-to-day basis..

·         Optimized media domain expertise in areas such as content ingest, processing, distribution and playback, with exposure to development efforts on consumer devices such as STB, and mobile platforms (Android & iOS).

·         Designed and configured API-led connectivity to ensure business groups were empowered to access their best capabilities in delivering applications and projects through discovery, self-service, and reuse.

·         Increased participation with brands to understand their businesses/organizations and how strategic communications supported key goals and objectives, particularly with respect to NBCU scopes of work.

·         Improved necessary communication within all internal teams at NBCU, as well as with brands to perform scope of work completely, accurately, on time and within budget.

·         Grew relationships with vendors and third-party service providers such as artwork designers, video production firms, traditional and online media advertising departments, etc., to complete network assignments on time, within budget, and with highest quality product/service delivery possible.

 

Universal Studios | Universal City, CA                                                                 Jun 2014 - Aug 2015

Project Manager/Parks Technology

 

Worked in coordination with the solution delivery executives, application & technical architects, team leads and members, and third party vendors to successfully manage and complete project deliverables. Contributed to process improvement initiatives as it related to improving project delivery.

·      Delivered strategic planning for the Harry Potter program, and defined and managed all aspects of project planning including scope, budget, financial forecasting, and scheduling.

·      Responsible for ensuring that the impact of new or upgraded IT systems were effectively managed to support the delivery of desired business and technology outcomes..

·      Ensured the integrations and data related configuration/development and realization of solution components within each workstream were fit for purpose and of appropriate quality and were delivered on time against stated project plans and scope.

·      Improved collaboration while generating a high-level of productivity amongst cross-functional teams (with up to 20 resources) to deliver features and functions across multiple development environments and vendors.

·      Generated scope definition, cross-functional estimates and high-level planning workshops to provide seamless communication and complete delivery of requirements.

·      Led activities relating to the management of complex analysis, evaluation of alternatives and recommended innovative and effective business solutions.

 

The Walt Disney Studios | Burbank, CA                                                                          Jun 2013 - Jun 2014

Project Manager/Senior Business Analyst

 

Product owner who designed, developed and deployed state of the art digital products and experiences in support of Theatrical, In-Home, Digital, Television, and consumer product lines of business from blue sky to closeout.

·      Identified current and future business needs and determined how best to meet those needs by working with the business and the technology teams to gather requirements for new solutions, working with UX specialists to define intuitive solutions, understanding business processes & systems, and staying abreast of current trends in the marketplace.

·      Led a Product team that managed multiple business systems for the Walt Disney Studios.

·      In close partnership with the business stakeholders, developed the product vision and product roadmap, forecasted and managed project costs, and drove product performance against key KPIs.

·      Defined and built great guest experiences across multiple platforms.

·      Improved product features through clear epics, user stories, and tasks using defined processes and tools.

·      Articulated how new consumer products and experiences aligned with the reference line of business and studio technology strategies and objectives.

 

Warner Bros | Burbank, CA                                                                                May 2012 - Jun 2013

Project Manager/Senior Business Analyst

 

Working with both Agile and Waterfall methodologies, performed complex analysis for finance and accounting aspects of digital sales for the Warner Home Entertainment – Digital Distribution client group. Warner Bros. Digital Distribution oversees content through Video-On-Demand, Pay-Per-View, Electronic Sell-Through and Subscription Video-On-Demand via cable, satellite, online and mobile channels, and also distributes content through third party digital retailers and licensees. 

 

·      Reduced development time for several business applications, supporting various Warner Home Video (WHV), Warner Bros. Digital Distribution (WBDD), and Interactive Games business divisions (both online and mobile).

·      Managed design and development of Global WHVDirect.com website used to provide retailers and wholesalers instant access to all WHV products (SKUs) and commercial digital assets and promotional materials.

·      Developed interface to MARS digital asset management application for WHV ingestion of commercial marketing materials for all WHV products.

·      Created product schedule and project development roadmap required to support Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment – Games division supporting all new games products (PC, PS2, PSP, Xbox 360, Wii etc.) in both the domestic and international markets.

·      Created project development roadmap required to support Warner Bros. Digital Distribution division and electronic streaming of products worldwide, including film, TV (episodic tracking), and music clearance used by all international territories, affiliates and licensees.  

·      Implemented core support enhancements and break fixes in support of numerous Domestic and International business groups including: WHV Legal, Marketing, Sales Administration, Domestic Operations and International Finance, Planning and Operations, as well as the WBDD Legal and Sales, International and Domestic TV and VOD and Interactive Entertainment – Games Operations divisions.

·      Improved the Global Rights and Release Tracking (RRTS) system that provided detailed information on intellectual properties rights and availabilities of WHV and WBDD Digital products worldwide including music clearance and episodic tracking. The application supports all domestic and international territories, affiliates and licensees.

·      Improved Intellectual Property and Domestic Product and Promotion Management (PM) system, which provided management of WHV products (SKUs) including all marketing related metadata; physical product attributes and promotional activity within the US market.

 

DataDirector | Rancho Cucamonga, CA                                                            Mar 2010 – May 2012

Project Manager/Senior Business Analyst

 

Served as Implementation Project Manager for large scale programs in 89 school districts across the country, spearheading all project planning and implementation and overseeing local project teams in creating systemic change within school districts.

·      Developed new process management system that improved curriculum implementation efficiency to more effectively support systemic change. Introduced change management system to improve rate and depth of systemic change.

·      Trained supervisors within client school districts in duties, techniques, and strategies to improve adoption rates by teachers, compliance with federal guidelines and regulations, and adherence to budget restrictions.

·      Created and instituted standardized process evaluation protocol, including KPI, to measure level of change created by newly implemented programs and to demonstrate project progress in making required systemic changes and improvements. As a result, 100% of clients were compliant with federal guidelines compared to a baseline of 63%.

·      Recovered 75+ man hours for each district manager by creating a streamlined implementation process for curriculum overhaul, greatly improving efficiency of process team.

·      Developed and managed project budgets from $500,000 to $2.5M on projects that spanned one to two years. At any one time, directly oversaw project implementation at as many as 15 client sites.

·      Procured $100M+ in federal funding for school districts across the country by providing guidance in development, submission, and evaluation.

·      Brought an average of five new products to market each year by identifying and capitalizing on unfilled needs of the school districts.

Warner Bros | Burbank, CA                                                                                Mar 2009 - Mar 2010

Product Manager

 

High-profile manager over DC Entertainment for the Global Franchise Management department, which is home to DC (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, and is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner.  I collaborated with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games.

 

·      Identified incremental opportunities across the company in focal areas such as content, distribution, branding and marketing, in order to achieve long-term financial goals.

·      Responsible for the analysis of insights and preparation of priority franchise plans, as well as tracking performances of brands and franchises, and drove initiatives and projects across the company, in collaboration with WB divisions, territories and partners, to optimize franchise strategies and business objectives.

·      Utilized and managed decision enhancing tools to inform plans for research and consumer insights, franchise calendar, and financial data.

·      Led implementation of key DC franchise initiatives including preparing and driving work plans and setting and management of milestones, budgets, and vendors.

·      Advanced cross-divisional and cross-territory collaboration, activation and communication in support of initiatives.

·      Managed presence and activation of DC branding across content, marketing and communication materials.

·      Provided cross-company guidance and support for branding, brand/franchise positioning and use of IP in activations.

 

Universal Music Group | Universal City, CA                                                          Mar 2008 - Mar 2009

Senior Business Analyst

As part UMG's Application Design & Build group, collaborated with the Enterprise Portfolio Management Project Manager (EPM PM) defining priorities and execution plans to promote and expand UMG's enterprise architecture, inclusive of process, data, application and infrastructure.

·      Collected and maintained important metadata regarding UMG's processes, systems and infrastructure, and was a critical contributor to the UMG Enterprise Architecture practice, working in concert with data, software, infrastructure, and solution architecture disciplines to build and promote a comprehensive array of standards, tools, strategies, capabilities and ultimately transformation initiatives to best meet the demands of UMG's business into the future.

·      Ensured data freshness and accuracy of UMG's IT Asset catalog through regular interaction with business and IT stakeholders along rigorous execution of the current enterprise portfolio data validation process.

·      Supported Enterprise Architecture artifact development and maintenance across business, data, application and technology domains in conjunction with the EPM PM and Enterprise Architecture team leadership.

·      Supported evangelization application as system of record for UMG processes, data, applications, and supporting technologies.

·      Provided creative alternatives and recommendations for continuous improvement of the team's Enterprise Architecture practice.

 

Technicolor | Burbank, CA                                                                                 Nov 2006 – Mar 2008

Senior Business Analyst

Managed internal and external processes and oversaw all aspects of the post-production processes for innovative online post-production system for asset management. Managed and tracked multiple projects in all phases of post-production, including content ingest, video editing, visual effects, audio mixing, color mastering, encoding, and archival.

·      Contributed to the deployment of our Media Asset Management (MAM) systems and their web interfaces, connectivity, backup, and archive.

·      Managed all meta-data tagging in the asset management system while training and overseeing editors through the process.

·      Quality checked deliverables that were created by and delivered to our team to ensure all assets met our appropriate specs and were ready for distribution and/or archive.

·      Resolved legal issues around asset use and created solutions that served both creative and legal requirements.

·      Shepherded third-party production companies through the production process to ensure proper delivery and archive of content.

 

Fox Broadcasting Corporation | Los Angeles, CA                                                Nov 2005 – Nov 2006

Senior Business Analyst

Developed Ad Sales system that improved cash flow for Sales group, lowered ad placement time, reduced debt, improved gross margins, and reduced marketing spend.

·      Analyzed moderately complex problems using technical experience and judgement for new Ad Sales system to identify gaps, and define new software requirements and propose business workflow changes.

·      Streamlined effort to guide business users through implementation planning, implementation and user acceptance testing efforts.

·      Responsible for analyzing the business needs of clients and stakeholders to help identify business problems and propose solutions, which resulted in 17% reduction in direct labor cost through increased advertising sales productivity.

·      Worked as a liaison among stakeholders in order to elicit, analyze, communicate and validate requirements for changes to business processes, policies and information systems.

·      Determined scope of project and each group’s involvement; proposed viable options; defined project deliverables as well as assisted in the development of the project scope and its business justification.

 

Deloitte and Touche | Santa Ana, CA                                                                Nov 2004 - Nov 2005

Product Strategy Analyst

As part of the P&S Channel Integration & Engagement team, I assessed and evaluated new product opportunities and developed go-to-market commercialization strategies.

·      Scoped the market to understand the competitive product landscape.

·      Developed business cases for potential products using market research and pricing models.

·      Created high-level business plans to forecast, price, and position new and existing product platforms within the P&S portfolio.

·      Aligned with technical and non-technical stakeholders to translate client needs into prospective technical product requirements, and synthesized findings into leadership-level business recommendations.

 

Paramount Pictures | Los Angeles, CA                                                                          Nov 2001 - Nov 2004

Sr. Financial Analyst – Residuals

Responsible for interpreting and analyzing legal and financial source documents to determine residual liability in accordance with various guild and union agreements and for assisting and providing management with financial planning, residual cost control and reporting.

·      Prepared and analyzed revenue reports for applicable markets of television and theatrical products.

·      Calculated and processed residual liability to all signatory guilds on a semi-monthly and quarterly basis.

·      Monitored monthly and quarterly payments to ensure that residual payments were made on a timely and accurate basis in accordance with various guild agreements.

·      Analyzed and interpreted legal and financial source documents to determine theatrical and television liability.

·      Liaison for associated guilds by researching and responding to various written correspondence and oral inquiries pertaining to residual payments from the guilds, talent, and management while assuring compliance with the AMPTP Basic Agreement.

·      Prepared forecasts of residual cost implications for possible residual deals for Industrial Relations to be used in negotiations with various unions and guilds.

 

Disney Worldwide Shared Services | Anaheim, CA                                              Jul 2000 - Nov 2001

Financial Analyst

Slashed payroll/benefits’ administration costs 30% by negotiating pricing and fees, while ensuring the continuation and enhancements of services.

·      Improved business processes with finance, payroll and Human Resources in support of Payroll relocation initiative.

·      Implemented processes that were accurate, streamlined, and well documented with an emphasis on providing timely and accurate financial data to the business.

·      Built the capabilities of end-users to access and use data in a rigorous manner that was foundational to sound decision-making and ongoing reporting accuracy.

·      Developed materials and provided training that established the required initial user acumen that was leveraged for ongoing educational needs.

 

 

EDUCATION	●  California State Polytechnic University, Pomona – BA – Communications & Information Management
	●  Cal Tech, Pasadena - Detailed Project Management ●  IBA Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) Certification

 

  TECHNICAL SKILLS

Microsoft Access, Microsoft Project, Planview Enterprise, Clarity, PL/SQL, JIRA, Confluence, VersionOne, SharePoint, ServiceNow, API Development, XML, Google Docs, SmartSheets, Tableau, Rational DOORS