Pam Kaufman, head of international business at Paramount and longtime studio veteran, left the company almost 30 years later.
Sources say Kaufman is set to step back from his current position from international market president and CEO, global consumer products and experience. It considers its responsibility to drive the growth of Paramount’s international business across six continents, including broadcast and cable networks, streaming and studios.
Kaufman joined Nickelodeon in 1997, becoming the first CMO, helping to launch and develop multi-billion dollar franchises such as Spongebob Squarepants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Jojo Siwa and Paw Patrol. Its success began in 2018 and paved the way for Paramount to lead its first global consumer products division, spanning the entire portfolio, including photos from Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central and Paramount.
In 2021, Kaufman was appointed president of global consumer products and experience. It is the role of overseeing global product and business development, marketing, franchise planning, creative strategy, retail sales and consumer insights for all brands in their portfolio. A year later, her role was expanded again, including oversight of the company’s international business, streaming, free broadcasting, cable and more.
In a note to staff seen in the variety titled “I had the slime of my life,” Kaufman said it was “a lifetime honor” working at Paramount.
“Together, we built a multi-billion dollar franchise. We transformed the yellow sea sponge into a global icon. We acquired and rekindled the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, made Paris’ ‘Emily’ a must-see lifestyle brand, and built Paw Patrol on top childish brands. “We struck the fashion runway with designers from Stella McCartney to Gucci. Our gaming business stayed at Jittegaist in a collaboration that sold out in minutes, and the gaming business allows fans to create their own adventures like the incredibly successful Star Trek Fleet Commando. Boulevard. We expanded to award-winning hotels, resorts, theme parks and live tours.
Outside of Paramount, Kaufman serves on the committees of the Lindblad Expedition, Stella McCartney and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation.
Kaufman’s division comes as several senior executives leave Paramount following the acquisition of Skydance. Earlier this month it was announced that Mark Weinstock, president of global marketing and distribution, had left the company shortly after David Bitler, longtime communications executive officer for global co-CEOS Christ McCarthy and Brian Robbins.
“We look forward to seeing David Ellison, Jeff Shell and the new leadership team plan for the future. While consulting through the end of the year, we will leave with pride and pride in what we have built up in what is going forward,” Kaufman concluded. “I’ve always been rooting for Paramount, and I’m definitely the first to line up in the Top Gun Las Vegas experience.”
