Taran Swan Essay
Introduction
The Taran Swan case study is principally concerned with looking at how to maintain effective communication and leadership when an unexpected circumstance impacts the management structure of an organization.
Problem Statement
Since the channel’s inception, Nickelodeon Latin America has been managed by Taran Swan, first as launch director and then as general manager. She has had a significant impact on all important decisions in the life of the enterprise. Unfortunately due to an unforeseen medical condition Swan will be required to leave the Nickelodeon headquarters and return home for several months. Her dilemma is how to ensure that during her convalescence the network continues to grow and thrive. Swan faces several …show more content…
Taran Swan
• HBS (1991)
• Six year experience in management in entertainment/broadcast industry
• Very personable leader who believed in delegating authority to her subordinates
• Consistently stressed strategic thinking in entire staff.
• Very analytical and numbers driven
• Took over for a failing launch director for the Germany project and brought it to a successful conclusion
• Had been a long time advocate for entering Latin America. Appointed launch director in May 1996 and general manager in September 2006 Other Management
• Valerie McCarty – Vice President Marketing and Communications. Good business savvy and natural leadership skills. Native of Puerto Rico.
• Steve Grieder – Vice President and Creative Director Programming. “Creative genius” who had some Latin American experience. Similar leadership style to Swan.
• Donna Friedman – Vice President Marketing and Associate Creative Director. Passionate about the Nickelodeon brand. Excellent understanding of the company …show more content…
Donna Friedman would compliment him quite well. Although she is not available locally, Friedman has the best understanding of the Nickelodeon culture as demonstrated by her work as creative and marketing lead. She frequently demonstrated “contagious enthusiasm for the brand and out-of-the box thinking” which is critically important in an entertainment enterprise. Friedman could also use her experience with campaigns and events to help creating a stronger alliance with the top management at MTV Networks.
The case stated that Donna Friedman had a good, productive relationship with McCarty. While we felt this combination might be viable, McCarty’s lack of operational experience indicated to us that the Grieder-Friedman combination would be better. This choice has some risks as well. As is typical when multiple managers are involved, communication may become a problem. The two chosen interim directors will need to be cautious about consistency of their message and to be careful about delineation of responsibilities between them.
The Taran Swan case study is principally concerned with looking at how to maintain effective communication and leadership when an unexpected circumstance impacts the management structure of an organization.
Problem Statement
Since the channel’s inception, Nickelodeon Latin America has been managed by Taran Swan, first as launch director and then as general manager. She has had a significant impact on all important decisions in the life of the enterprise. Unfortunately due to an unforeseen medical condition Swan will be required to leave the Nickelodeon headquarters and return home for several months. Her dilemma is how to ensure that during her convalescence the network continues to grow and thrive. Swan faces several …show more content…
Taran Swan
• HBS (1991)
• Six year experience in management in entertainment/broadcast industry
• Very personable leader who believed in delegating authority to her subordinates
• Consistently stressed strategic thinking in entire staff.
• Very analytical and numbers driven
• Took over for a failing launch director for the Germany project and brought it to a successful conclusion
• Had been a long time advocate for entering Latin America. Appointed launch director in May 1996 and general manager in September 2006 Other Management
• Valerie McCarty – Vice President Marketing and Communications. Good business savvy and natural leadership skills. Native of Puerto Rico.
• Steve Grieder – Vice President and Creative Director Programming. “Creative genius” who had some Latin American experience. Similar leadership style to Swan.
• Donna Friedman – Vice President Marketing and Associate Creative Director. Passionate about the Nickelodeon brand. Excellent understanding of the company …show more content…
Donna Friedman would compliment him quite well. Although she is not available locally, Friedman has the best understanding of the Nickelodeon culture as demonstrated by her work as creative and marketing lead. She frequently demonstrated “contagious enthusiasm for the brand and out-of-the box thinking” which is critically important in an entertainment enterprise. Friedman could also use her experience with campaigns and events to help creating a stronger alliance with the top management at MTV Networks.
The case stated that Donna Friedman had a good, productive relationship with McCarty. While we felt this combination might be viable, McCarty’s lack of operational experience indicated to us that the Grieder-Friedman combination would be better. This choice has some risks as well. As is typical when multiple managers are involved, communication may become a problem. The two chosen interim directors will need to be cautious about consistency of their message and to be careful about delineation of responsibilities between them.