Simon is a veteran marketing professional specializing in the entertainment industry. Prior to joining MAGNA GLOBAL, Simon was SVP- International Marketing & Research for Paramount Pictures International, where he was responsible all media, research and creative decision-making across all PPI product, as well as general business strategy & planning, finance and P&L responsibility. A natural entrepreneur and problem-solver, Simon was instrumental in setting up PPI’s media and research departments from scratch, and then building and negotiating a broad range of commercial ventures that maximized ROI and significantly contributed to the company’s bottom line.Simon started his career at TSMS and then CIA Media Network in the UK. He then moved to Bangkok, Thailand to work with a small marketing consultancy, and following, joined Ogilvy & Mather, Moscow, to handle accounts such as IBM, Ford, and Hershey’s. Returning to his native UK, Simon became Media & Advertising Manager at United International Pictures, based in London, and enjoyed 5 years overseeing all international media planning and buying on film releases from Paramount, Universal, MGM & DreamWorks.
In 2002, Simon joined DreamWorks to head up the company’s marketing function, and was responsible for all marketing operations on broad commercial products such as SHREK, SHARK TALE, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, MUNICH and THE HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG. He was also involved in the IPO of Jeffrey Katzenberg’s DREAMWORKS ANIMATION.
In 2006, Simon joined the newly combined Paramount/DreamWorks (entitled Paramount Pictures International) as VP International Media & Research. In this role, he created a best-in-class media and research operation that maximized ROI and eliminated operational inefficiencies to drive revenue. Under his leadership, PPI and its work with its agencies led the industry in digital marketing excellence. Highlights at this time include the campaigns created for THE LOVELY BONES, REVOLUTIONARY ROAD, THE WATCHMEN and NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN.
