Kimberly A. Barengo
FILM INDUSTRY EXECUTIVE • CONTENT STRATEGY • FILM OPERATIONS • STUDIO & THEATER RELATIONS
Industry
Experience
Experience
Signature Skills
- Strategic Planning & Execution
- Change Leadership
- Studio Relations
- Program & Content Innovation
Capacity Optimization - Talent Management
- Budget & Spend Control
- Contract Negotiations
Sales, Marketing, & Promotions - Forecasting & Budgeting
- Investor & Board Reporting
Kim's Experience
The Marcus Corporation
Senior Vice President Head of Content Operations
2023-Present
Milwaukee, WI
Develop and execute content strategy for the entire organization, owning major film studio and content provider relationships, ensuring acquisition of industry-leading programming, and managing negotiations to optimize contract terms. Deepen and enrich strategic partnerships with film studios and other content providers, maintaining leading-edge awareness of industry trends and alternative content, including special and live events, broadcasts, and gaming. Prioritize and plan promotional activities; closely monitor financial performance, and initiate improvements resulting in productivity, efficiency, attendance, NOI, and revenue gains.
- Strengthened business-critical studio relationships, working with executives and decision-makers at all 7 major studios—Disney, Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Warner Brothers, Universal, and Amazon MGM—to position company with the programming to drive attendance, revenue, and market share growth; produced 16 weeks of YOY share improvement.
- Plan, execute, and drive record-setting performance while managing complex launches, working collaboratively with studio and film teams to optimize schedules, circuit coverage, and asset allocation (IMAX, PLF, 70 mm, 3D). Direct key openings, including concurrent release of Oppenheimer and Barbie, capitalizing on Barbenheimer cultural phenomenon.
- Negotiated highly competitive film and programming deals for new releases and holdovers, working with regions across the country to secure favorable contract terms, ensure an uninterrupted supply of content, deliver programming for every screen in the organization, and minimize operating expenses for both studio and event content.
ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
- Initiated the Marcus Mystery Movie Program generating significant revenue on a non-peak weekday, leveraging studio relationships to secure participation, launch special programming, and fuel go-to-market promotions.
- Mentor and develop the Content Operations team to create high levels of engagement and increased productivity, leading a talented group of 5 direct reports to ensure a creative, collaborative, and continuous improvement-minded culture.
The Marcus Corporation
Director of Film Operations
2016-2022
VP of Film Operations
2022-2023
Milwaukee, WI
Maximized revenues by optimizing film booking, scheduling, and alternative programming, leveraging forecasts, market insights, and analytics to fuel data-driven decision-making. Fostered collaboration between Film and Operations teams, developing show and film placement schedules to effectively manage capacity of titles. Led new theater opening teams to drive achievement of key metrics and milestones on time and within budget. Hired, trained, and mentored team, being noted for “energizing people in a positive way.” Assembled film slates, schedules, and projections for the Executive Committee, Board, and investors.
- Steered the team through the challenges of the pandemic and the stages of recovery, continuing to generate positive results across all KRAs—complicated by the need to turn around the culture following the exit of a manager—outperforming the nation by 5.1% through streamlined booking, improved efficiency, and innovative programming.
- Expanded breadth of film products, engaging with 30 new distributors—including streaming services such as Amazon, Netflix, Max, and Apple TV—while ideating and implementing innovative programming, sourcing specialized film products, and developing “You Pick” session-based private rentals, a “Vax-Only” program, and other first-to-market options.
- Developed and cultivated key industry and studio relationships, becoming the ‘go-to’ resource for all communications during and after the pandemic. Charted a path through recovery and drove shared decision-making around consolidated film bookings, openings and closures, occupancy restrictions, and mask mandates by county and state.
ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
- Played a key role in the integration of 22 theaters across 9 states (23% footprint expansion), collaborating with the Movie Tavern team to consolidate and align practices as they related to Film Programming, Trailers, and Film Operations. Transitioned enterprise to a new POS and HQ system, running dual systems during integration of newly acquired theaters.
- Championed development of incredibly detailed performance reports providing keen insight into financial KPIs, including attendance, NOI, national market share, alternative content revenue and attendance, and trailer revenue.
- Directed an exceptionally successful presale for Avengers: Endgame, producing a 25% increase in nationwide share when compared to the prior year’s Avengers release, surpassing stretch goals and yielding 80+ awards for Theatre Field Teams.
- Programmed and scheduled films for the first-ever Spanish Language Film Festival in Milwaukee; maximized performance of special events and series, including the Oscar Series running at 27 locations; and consistently innovated new offerings.
- Nominated for the Ben Marcus Humanitarian of the Year Award for embodying the spirit of “Doing Well by Doing Good.”
The Marcus Corporation
District Director
2007-2016
Milwaukee, WI
Led a 19-unit, 4-state, $130M+ district, including the company’s top properties based on performance targets, attendance, and NOI objectives. Provided strategic leadership and coaching to a team of 29 salaried direct reports, establishing expectations and partnering with team leaders to deliver against goals. Diligently managed a $15M+ annual operating budget.
- Managed high-profile, high-visibility units in major metropolitan areas—including Chicago, IL; Minneapolis, MN; Columbus, OH; and Milwaukee, WI—driving the highest box office revenue and attendance of any district director.
- Set company records for NOI, attendance, and top-line revenue, improving on already-strong performance in prior years with properties consistently rated as “Best in the Company” and “Top 100 in the Nation” for opening weekend ticket sales.
- Managed major new-builds and renovations, completing Dream Lounger remodels at 6 locations in 2 years—$6M in total spend per unit with a 2-year ROI—in addition to incorporating bars, lounges, and in-theater dining to multiple properties.
ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
- Assisted in planning the Semiannual Leadership Conference, contributing to long-range strategic planning, shaping the culture of the organization, differentiating the brand in an increasingly crowded space, and out-maneuvering competitors.
- Led the management team to win 2 of 3 top awards for 2014 (TAP Award), one of the two available Promotion Awards, and 13 additional honors in such areas as safety, service, loyalty, secret shopper reports, upselling, and technology.
The Marcus Corporation
Associate Theatre
Manager
1990-1995
General
Manager
1995-2004
City
Manager
2003-2007
Milwaukee, WI
Mastered all aspects of the theater business and earned management promotions, introducing Marcus Cinema to key growth markets and driving awareness and consumer adoption to generate strong results. Directed talent acquisition and development, empowering team—up to 100 staff, 10 assistant managers, and 2 managers—through training, coaching, and mentorship.
- Received several “Showman of the Year” awards—including many first- and second-runner-up prizes—based on success in promoting facilities, marketing features and differentiating factors, and delivering an exceptional guest experience.
- Pioneered development of the entire Marcus Theatre footprint in Central Ohio, leading teams located across the city, capitalizing on opportunities to grow the brand in a new market, and controlling costs through contract negotiations.
- Recognized for local marketing effectiveness at a national level by major studios—20th Century Fox, DreamWorks, Paramount, Disney, New Line, and MGM—earning recognition 6 times between 1997 and 2004.
ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
- Assisted in planning the Semiannual Leadership Conference, contributing to long-range strategic planning, shaping the culture of the organization, differentiating the brand in an increasingly crowded space, and out-maneuvering competitors.
- Led the management team to win 2 of 3 top awards for 2014 (TAP Award), one of the two available Promotion Awards, and 13 additional honors in such areas as safety, service, loyalty, secret shopper reports, upselling, and technology.
EDUCATION
- Bachelor of Science (BS), Biology
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Marquette University & Far Cliffs Consulting Certificate of Management
- Dale Carnegie High-Impact Presentations Two-Day Course
- MBA Coursework in Financial Reporting & Leadership
- Project Management Training
BOARD & INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT
National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) of Illinois / Heartland NATO / Theatre Owners of Indiana
Past Board Member & Scholarship Judge
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERISM
- United Way
- Flying Horse Farms
- Ronald McDonald House
EDUCATION
- Bachelor of Science (BS), Biology
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Marquette University & Far Cliffs Consulting Certificate of Management
- Dale Carnegie High-Impact Presentations Two-Day Course
- MBA Coursework in Financial Reporting & Leadership
- Project Management Training
BOARD & INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT
National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) of Illinois / Heartland NATO / Theatre Owners of Indiana
Past Board Member & Scholarship Judge
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERISM
- United Way
- Flying Horse Farms
- Ronald McDonald House