Pam Kaufman, Paramount’s President and CEO of International Markets, Global Consumer Products & Experiences, has made the announcement that she would be leaving the company. She will remain as a consultant until the end of 2025 to facilitate a smooth transition. The move comes after a wider executive shake-up at Paramount following this year’s merger with Skydance Media.
A Storied Career at Paramount
Kaufman started her journey with Paramount in 1997 when she signed on with Nickelodeon as Vice President, Promotions Marketing. She progressed through several executive positions over the years, becoming Nickelodeon’s first Chief Marketing Officer in 2008. In 2014, she was named President of Consumer Products, Nickelodeon, and by 2018, she had added oversight of global consumer products to ViacomCBS. She was appointed President of Consumer Products and Experiences in 2021 and CEO of International Markets, Global Consumer Products & Experiences in 2022. During her tenure, Paramount’s consumer products business expanded to a $7 billion retail operation, developing successful franchises like SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, PAW Patrol, and Emily in Paris. License Global
Impact of the Skydance Merger
Paramount-Skydance Media merger, completed in August 2025, has brought monumental organizational change. New leadership arrangements have been put in place, including the appointment of Kevin MacLellan, erstwhile NBCUniversal executive, as President of International and Global Content Distribution. This reorganization made Kaufman’s role unnecessary, and she hence chose to resign.
Kaufman’s Legacy and Future Plans
In her goodbye note entitled “I’ve Had the Slime of My Life,” Kaufman thanked her time at Paramount, citing the opportunity to help create stories that reached millions of people’s lives. She also added she was looking forward to seeing the future ambitions of the new leadership, such as David Ellison and Jeff Shell.
Kaufman is currently a director of Lindblad Expeditions, Stella McCartney, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. Her next career step has yet to be announced publicly, but her long track record of building global brands and consumer products makes her an excellent candidate for future roles in the entertainment and licensing sectors.
Paramount’s Strategic Direction Post-Merger
After the merger, Paramount has been realigning its strategy to operate three key business segments: Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and TV Media. Paramount is emphasizing international content distribution and streaming services, with a goal of growing content on Paramount+ and Pluto TV. Paramount is also venturing into new opportunities, such as a seven-year agreement with TKO Group Holdings to exclusively distribute UFC content in the U.S.
Conclusion
Pam Kaufman’s exit brings an era of change to an end for Paramount’s consumer products and international divisions. Her vision was key to shifting Paramount’s global brand visibility and consumer interaction models. As the company continues to adjust to its post-merger reality, Kaufman’s imprint will be felt in shaping its strategy to international markets and consumer experience.
