Steve Lang: Vice President, Product Development in San Diego, CA

Equity Management is a licensing agency focusing on corporate brand management. EMI represents primarily Fortune 500 companies and manages the largest global corporate licensing program. I currently oversee all product development in brand advancement and brand extension, as well as functions in client and licensee management, potential licensee review, and new business strategy and development.

• 45% time annually spent in Hong Kong and China directing vendors (12) and agents/staff (9) • Oversee all aspects of $20MM hardline development including spec creation, sourcing, engineering review, quality testing, and production • Create and execute development and production roadmaps for 20+ SKUs simultaneously for initial retail sets • Mentor internal development staff and build cohesive development/operations team between Los Angeles, New Jersey, and Hong Kong/China • Influence external vendor partners to meet high aesthetic and quality standards, expedited project timelines, and develop a clear understanding of license/brand aesthetic requirements • Lead cost and schedule negotiations, product engineering, coordinate product testing, and give production approval • Resolve process roadblocks and create workaround solutions to maintain schedules • Monitor production capacity vs PO tracking, ensure product availability for DOM/FOB shipments

• Built the foundation for new Development team, mapping process and key milestones, and integrated new group into existing cross-functional teams. Grew to 7 employees. • Manage development of the top 3 categories equaling 63% of global company revenue with emphasis on cost negotiations and schedule management • Successfully upgraded design/development team workflow with introduction of SolidWorks 3D software (vs AutoCAD) • Championed and implemented $1.5MM packaging cost-savings initiative on existing products • Daily communication with international office and vendors in China, including factory visits

• Project management lead for Girls business unit’s new brand launches (Monster High is now $1B) ensuring products meet development milestones on schedule and under budget • Improved standard lead times by 46% through planning and executing new benchmark process for high profile new brand product launch • Achieve annual production of 5MM+ units at internal and OEM manufacturing facilities through coordination of development milestones • Strengthen relationships with overseas colleagues and vendors in China, Indonesia, and Mexico through daily communication and onsite travel • Supervise and train team of direct reports (2) in new product development

• Business unit’s engineering and development lead for fashion dolls category • Build tool plans for new products with emphasis on part design and material selection ensuring manufacturing feasibility and cost efficiency • Coordinate samples for development, line reviews, and trade shows • Lead presentations at internal line reviews for executive management and patent attorneys and external meetings for ad agencies and licensing partners.

• Manage $110MM P&L achieving margin and product cost targets at the brand and sku levels • Cross functional team expert in building cost estimates for new designs and competitor products including electronics, molded parts and soft goods. • US liaison to overseas factories, leading price negotiations and communicating product specs

• Managed P&L to 20% growth surpassing annual financial margin targets for girls toys, writing instruments, and stationery • Examined parts and components to ascertain purpose, cost and value by utilizing knowledge of product design and budgetary considerations • Developed cost estimates and provide financial analyses for proposed new concepts and existing competing product