Spin Master Names Heather Oster as VP, Global Franchise Development
Spin Master Corp announces that longtime Hollywood consumer products executive Heather Oster has been appointed Vice President, Global Franchise Development. Oster, who will be based in Spin Master’s Los Angeles office, will report to Spin Master Entertainment’s Executive Vice President Jennifer Dodge.
A highly-skilled executive with in-depth experience in global film, TV, and related vertical and licensed businesses, Oster will be responsible for initiating Spin Master’s franchise strategy, including brand development and stewardship and IP evaluation and portfolio leadership for its world renowned global brands and all upcoming entertainment franchise initiatives, including the launch of the upcoming Mighty Express franchise, this fall on Netflix.
“Heather is an experienced and forward-thinking franchise and brand executive with a talent for bringing brands to life through deep audience engagement, compelling storytelling and insightful business analysis,” said Dodge. “Heather will be instrumental in shaping Spin Master’s long-term entertainment franchise strategy as she identifies and shapes brands to build audiences, gain share of heart, and extend revenue opportunities across the company.”
Oster brings more than 15 years in the entertainment industry to Spin Master, including having led major animated and live action franchises from Disney, Universal, Pixar and DreamWorks. At each company, she has partnered with production, storytellers and business teams to grow top consumer brands including Disney Princess, Cars, Toy Story, Jurassic World, and Trolls.
Most recently, Oster spent over five years as Vice President, Franchise Management & Consumer Insights at Universal Pictures where she led enterprise-wide global brand strategy and marketing, while directly overseeing DreamWorks animation portfolio across film and television. While at Universal, she drove growth and development of key franchises by creating and managing innovative plans for long term success, increased revenue and greater brand value.
Prior to Universal, Oster spent 11 years as Global Franchise and Marketing Director at Disney, serving multi-year stints for the company’s biggest verticals including Pixar, Live Action Film, Disney Princess and more. At Disney, she led global licensing-franchise strategic brand development for Jerry Bruckheimer Productions, Tim Burton Productions, The Muppets, Toy Story 3, Cars 2, Pirates of the Caribbean, and much more.
Oster received her MBA, Marketing and Entertainment from the University of Southern California and her Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology from the University of California, Los Angeles.
