Marketing Associate

We are seeking a highly organized, strategic, and creative Marketing Associate to lead marketing initiatives that drive sell-in and sell-through for our imprints and titles across both B2B and D2C channels. This role works closely with our North American distributor, Penguin Random House (PRH), retail partners, and internal teams to ensure marketing plans are thoughtfully developed, tightly project-managed, and executed on time and at a high level.

The ideal candidate excels at cross-functional collaboration, has strong publishing or retail marketing experience, and is comfortable owning complex campaigns that span sales, marketing, merchandise, and events.

This is a hybrid role, with a mix of work-from-home and in-office work at our Culver City, CA office.

• Develop and execute comprehensive marketing plans to maximize sell-through of imprints and individual titles.
• Partner with Penguin Random House (PRH) sales representatives to support sell-in campaigns to retailer accounts.
• Optimize both internal and external systems and tools (e.g. FireBrand, Asana,  PRH systems and tools) by creating high-impact TI sheets, marketing plans, key selling points,  title comparisons, reviews, awards highlights, and PR materials.
• Collaborate directly with retailers on targeted title- and imprint-level sell-through campaigns.
• Build clear, compelling, and visually polished presentations to support title acquisitions, sales conferences, retailer pitches, internal strategy reviews, and executive-facing discussions, with a strong focus on competitive positioning and market opportunity.

• Project manage B2B and D2C marketing channels for title promotions, ensuring all marketing initiatives are strategically planned, coordinated across teams, and executed on time and at a high standard.
• Own timelines, deliverables, and cross-functional communication to ensure marketing plans are fully aligned and efficiently executed.
• Project manage merchandise production and execution, overseeing timelines, vendors, and internal coordination to ensure merchandise is delivered on time and meets quality expectations.
• Leverage modern productivity and AI-powered tools to improve efficiency, ideation, presentation development, campaign planning, and internal workflows, while maintaining strong editorial judgment and brand standards.

• Conceptualize and produce gift-with-purchase (GWP) materials for retailers, including bookmarks, art cards, postcards, and other promotional items.
• Create retailer-facing marketing collateral such as posters, flyers, shelf talkers, and in-store signage.
• Plan and execute brand collaborations and promotional partnerships (e.g., boba/tea shops and similar lifestyle partners) to increase brand awareness and drive D2C sell-through.

• Plan, execute, and manage B2B advertising buys across digital and print platforms.
• Partner with trade publications and industry outlets such as Publishers Weekly, iCV2, Open Road, Ingram, and others.
• Track performance, effectiveness, and ROI of advertising initiatives.

• Develop and manage communication plans targeting retailers and librarians.
• Oversee newsletters, B2B social media, and other outreach channels to ensure consistent, timely, and effective communication.

• Plan and manage large-scale B2C and industry events, including but not limited to:
• Los Angeles Anime Expo
• San Diego Comic-Con
• New York Comic Con
• Plan, execute, and attend key publishing and librarian trade conventions, including American Library Association (ALA), Children’s Institute, and other relevant industry conferences, in partnership with sales, publicity, and distribution teams.
• Coordinate logistics, marketing materials, and cross-team execution to ensure successful event outfomes.

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, or a related field.
• 4 years of experience in marketing and sales, preferably within publishing, entertainment, or fan-oriented pop culture sectors.
• Knowledge and passion for manga, anime, gaming, and/or broader fan culture.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a knack for storytelling and engaging fans authentically.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build strategic, data-informed presentations (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote) tailored to different audiences, including sales teams, retail partners, licensors, and internal leadership.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively across sales, editorial, creative, production, and operations teams.
• Familiarity and comfort using work-related AI tools (such as ChatGPT, Gamma, or similar AI-powered writing, presentation, and productivity applications) to support marketing, strategy, and creative workflows.
• Openness to adopting new tools and technologies as part of a modern, fast-evolving publishing and marketing environment.
• High proficiency with SaaS marketing tools, such as:

Klaviyo

Shopify

• Experience using project management tools such as Asana (or similar).
• Experience in publishing, retail, media, or B2B marketing preferred.
• Experience managing merchandise production, promotional partnerships, or D2C initiatives is a strong plus.
• Ability to travel occasionally for trade shows, conventions, and partner meetings.
• This is a hybrid role, with a mix of work-from-home and in-office work at our Culver City, CA office.

Why Join TOKYOPOP?

• Be part of a trailblazing company that’s shaping the future of fan-oriented pop culture.
• Engage with a passionate global audience and create meaningful connections with fans.
• Work in a dynamic environment where innovation and creativity are encouraged.

Application Process?

• To apply, please send your resume, cover letter, and examples of past marketing campaigns to owais@tokyopop.com