Dion Vlachos is Executive Vice President of U.S. Retail Sales and Global Publishing for VIACOM Nickelodeon Consumer Products (VNCP).  Based in New York, Dion leads U.S. retail development for VNCP, including strategy, sales and relationship management of key partners across mass, specialty, e-commerce and emerging retail accounts. He also oversees the licensed publishing business for Nickelodeon franchises globally.

Dion leads U.S. sales efforts for VNCP’s portfolio of key properties, including PAW Patrol, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, SpongeBob SquarePants, Top Wingand more. Additionally, he led the expansion of Nickelodeon merchandise programs beyond traditional mass retail accounts and developed customized offerings for value, specialty and e-commerce retailers. He has been instrumental in growing the company’s retail business, which posted double-digit growth for three consecutive years. In his publishing role, Dion has led growth through the introduction of new innovative formats and partnerships with global book and magazine publishers. Dion first joined Nickelodeon in 2013 as Senior Vice President of U.S. Retail Sales & Marketing.

Prior to joining Nickelodeon, Dion held several marketing, merchandising and communications positions in Feature Animation, TV Animation, Home Entertainment and Consumer Products during his 22 year tenure at The Walt Disney Company.He served as Vice President, Franchise Development and Global Marketing, Disney Publishing Worldwide, where he led brand strategies and campaigns for key global franchises, including Mickey Mouse,Winnie the Pooh and Disney Princesses, blockbuster film franchises likePirates of the Caribbean,Disney/PIXAR filmsToy StoryandCarsand major book franchises like Percy Jackson & the Olympians.

Prior to his Publishing post, Dion was Director of Franchise Marketing, Europe at Disney Consumer Products. Based in London, he was responsible for strategizing and leading merchandising programs for key film, TV and evergreen franchises across Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Dion (full name Dionysios Demetrios Vlachos) grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona born to a Greek immigrant Father and Mexican American Mother. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business from Arizona State University with a focus in Marketing and International Business, studying both in the US and Madrid, Spain. Dion sits on the board of “Live out Loud,” an organization focused on empowering LGBTQ youth by providing mentorships and resources to help them succeed in their career paths. Additionally, he is the Executive Co-Chair of EMERGE, Viacom’s LGTBQ Employee Resource Group.

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