Michael Connolly on Clubhouse

Bio

Michael Connolly is the Founder and CEO of Retail Monster®️ (www.retailmonster.com), one of the elite brand extension and licensing agencies in the entertainment industry. With high profile clients such as Crayola, Hasbro, Cocomelon, Vlad & Niki, Harlem Globetrotters, and Electronic Arts, in addition to co-development of multiple TV shows, Retail Monster has disrupted the industry with its high level strategic vision and best-in-class results.

Previously, Michael served as head 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 Shrek, How to Train Your Dragon, Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar. DreamWorks Animation's recent acquisitions of Classic Media, Big Idea and the Troll doll brand have added tremendous depth and breadth to its retail and licensing businesses. Upon his arrival in 2013, Connolly quickly built a "best in class" consumer products 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. Michael and his team were responsible for driving evergreen franchises like Dora The Explorer and SpongeBob back to growth, while planning the relaunch of one of the biggest boys properties of all time, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

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 Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Europe and Global Director of food, health, beauty and stationery for Disney Consumer Products.

Michael started his career with Walmart Stores, Inc., where he worked and was promoted within several areas of the company including logistics, global supply chain, merchandising and regional management.