Michael is Founder and CEO of Retail Monster LLC, an innovative, leading Licensing Agency with offices in the US and Europe. He has been appointed to  Licensing International’s Board of Directors in 2022. Connolly has overseen many of the world’s largest most successful consumer products divisions, and has diversity of Consumer Products, Retail Development, and Content creation experience. With A+ partnerships in licensing, retail development, and consulting, Retail Monster has launched a dozen Cross-Store events with the US/UK’s top retailers. RM’s world-class client roster includes the likes of Electronic Arts, Sybo (Subway Surfers), Copyrights (Paddington), Crayola, Moonbug, Minecraft, Hasbro, Sega (UK), and Mattel (UK).  

Before Retail Monster, Michael Connolly served as head (EVP) of Global Consumer Products for DreamWorks Animation.  In this capacity, Connolly drove the company's worldwide consumer products business, overseeing a portfolio containing many of the world's most beloved entertainment franchises including Trolls, Shrek, and How to Train Your Dragon.  Upon his arrival in 2013, Connolly quickly built a best-in-class CP organization to meet the needs of suppliers, retailers, and territories across the globe. 

Prior to joining DreamWorks Animation, Connolly served as Senior Vice President for Consumer Products at Viacom International Media Networks.  In this role, Connolly headed up business and legal affairs, finance, category development, marketing, creative brand management, recreation, live events and retail sales.

Prior to Viacom, Connolly worked for the Walt Disney Company for seven years, most recently in the position of Vice President of Marketing and Seasonal Merchandise for North America.  His time at Disney also included his role Vice President of CP Europe.

Michael started his consumer products career from the retailer side of the fence, serving Walmart Stores, Inc. for 11 years in roles ranging from regional management to logistics, merchandising, and global supply chain.

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