Analyst, Global Rights, Rights Production (Temporary)

A+E Networks

1d•Remote

About The Position

Our global Legal and Business Affairs department believes in the promise and power of teamwork. When we work together as a cohesive unit – supporting, involving, appreciating and respecting each other – we can elevate our company, our clients, and ourselves. At A+E Global Media, we have built and developed a culture based on the principles of effective communication, collaboration, accountability and trust. These guiding principles serve as our north star as we partner and strategize with other departments across the Company to help A+E Global Media achieve its goals and stay at the forefront of a highly competitive, rapidly changing industry. If you share these values and want to learn more about who we are and what we do, consider joining our team. This is an exciting new role for a Temp Analyst which will work within the Global Rights – Rights Production team focusing on the expansion of A+E Network’s Internal Productions. The position is responsible for providing legal and rights services, as directed by the Manager, Global Rights, Rights Production for A+E’s internal production groups, on day-to-day production related matters. This role will work on matters in the areas of rights and clearances, legal analysis, rights compliance, risk, and issue spotting. This role will collaborate with the Global Rights - Production Compliance team to ensure the complete and accurate documents are shared. This position handles in-the-field questions/review, license negotiations, license review and risk assessment. The position has working knowledge of legal acumen and experience with legal analysis, drafting, and negotiating in a fast-paced production environment. Our client groups expect and trust that our services respect and accord with applicable rights, and it is this role’s responsibility to ensure that the production aspects and requests are handled seamlessly to ensure compliance with rights. Please note that this is a temporary role.

Requirements

BA/BS Degree
Minimum of 3-4 years of experience analyzing third party licenses (music, stills, stock footage) and various forms of programming and distribution agreements for a television network, television production company, film studio or music studio.
Experience in negotiating media rights agreements and drafting form agreements.
Basic understanding of copyright including music copyright licensing and the required documentation based on usage type within programming, including the identification of controlled portions of compositions/fees.
Prior experience in and be comfortable working in systems/using technology.
Basic understanding of complex media rights.
Experience in licensing from archival vendors.
Familiarity with content distribution platforms from broadcast to digital, long and short form and developing formats.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Soundmouse a plus), Airtable and associated automation + AI-driven workflows and systems.
The position is client-facing and service-oriented, so solid interpersonal and written communication skills are essential.
Experience demonstrating a keen attention for details, solid organizational skills, and a good sense of judgment.
Maturity and the ability to remain objective “a must.”
Takes initiative, is organized, detail oriented and able to work effectively in a team environment
Solid time management and multi-tasking skills needed and must be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience working on the day-to-day process of content production in either a production company, other production/content creation company or within a Broadcast or Cable Network that produced content internally is a plus.
Some experience working in FilmTrack rights tracking, or similar rights management software is a plus.
Soundmouse a plus
associated automation + AI-driven workflows and systems

Responsibilities

Support the internal production teams at A+E by handling rights related clearance, negotiation, drafting, risk analysis, legal analysis, for both new intellectual property as well as existing third-party content for re-use.
Negotiate with rights holders including IP owners of television programming, major feature film footage, stock footage, photography, talent, and other elements, etc.
Troubleshoot problematic licensors on clearing any hurdles to acquire rights.
Review, draft, and execute a variety of agreements, with particular focus on media terms to ensure content can be exploited in multiple media platforms globally and on and off A+E branded networks/platforms.
Perform detailed legal and contract analysis on existing third-party license agreements for re-purposing avoiding breach of contract and litigation, research use of public domain materials and perform risk assessment as to acceptability of non-standard licenses and releases, escalating any risk concerns for final sign-off.
Work with Manager to review content to identify and address clearance issues and risks, provide advice, and suggest alternative solutions to creative teams while implementing A+E policy to ensure agreement and legal compliance.
Facilitate clearance requests and licensing by working closely with the production team in researching copyrights ownership, public domain, fair use and pre-existing A+E owned materials.
Assess deficient third-party licenses and advise the production team on how to proceed in conjunction with the Manager.
Confirm deliverables with Production Compliance team for inclusion in rights bibles and support materials, including, 3rd party agreements, appearance and location releases, etc.
Collaborate closely with internal production teams, Legal & Business Affairs, external archives and third-party licensors, and must be able to communicate with clarity and sensitivity to cultivate those relationships.