KEYNOTE - What Walmart Wants

Tuesday, February 11
9:00am - 9:45am
Pacific 21

KEYNOTE - What Walmart Wants

Walmart’s Ned Ward will sit down with UTA licensing agent Sid Kaufman for an illuminating fireside chat about what the mighty retail chain is looking for in entertainment brands. On top of his role as Associate Director of Retail Marketing Planning & Strategy, Ned is a member of Walmart’s Entertainment Council, which collectively assesses film, TV and digital IPs looking for shelf space.

Among other things, this conversation will touch on what markers they’re looking for, the critical importance of speed to market, and Walmart’s growing openness to brands that are heating up in digital spaces.

Ned has 25 years of experience in the consumer products industry and has worked at companies including Mattel, MGA Entertainment and several kids tech startups. He spent eight years in a Director of Entertainment Development role at Mattel, crafting game show and feature film pitches for the toyco’s portfolio of IPs that resulted in four television and eight theatrical development deals. Ned’s category experience spans toys, apparel, accessories, consumer electronics and education/STEM, and he’s adept at brand marketing, strategic insights, product innovation and new business development. He also joined the Board of Directors for Licensing International earlier this year.

Don’t miss this chance to better understand the needs of a company that operates 10,000-plus stores in 19 leading markets around the world.