RECOMMENDATIONS

MANAGERS

ViacomCBS

  • “Francisco is a creative, entrepreneurial executive who possesses top-notch dealmaking and partner management skills. He is very adept at crafting win-win solutions for both parties in a transaction, and has that coveted ability to maintain positive forward momentum even in the trickiest, most complex negotiations. Francisco embodies the spirit of strategic innovation and helped spearhead a number of initiatives for my team aimed at monetizing company assets in unique and compelling ways.“ Jason Jordan

  • “I’ve been working with Francisco for three years now and have been continuously impressed by his tenacity and wherewithal in deal-making. He has a nose for new opportunities and is constantly prospecting and sourcing across multiple industries. In the deal-making phase Francisco is a tough but smart negotiator, looking to create balance and finding a solution that works for all parties. He is also meticulous in his dealpoints and has an exceptional well-honed ability to think through all eventualities.“ Steve Raizes

The Walt Disney Company | ESPN and Univision Communications

  • “It's not often you get the chance in business to work with someone across two vastly different businesses. However, that's exactly my experience with Francisco Arenas. Francisco played an integral role in helping us build out the ESPN Consumer Products on the International landscape. His ability to assess a market's potential and develop key relationships in each territory was vital in helping us expand ESPN's Consumer Products reach around the globe.

    When I joined Univision, I envisioned bringing this 50-year-old iconic brand and sub-brands to the 54 million U.S. Hispanics in a new way. As I set out developing a game-plan on how to approach the Hispanic consumer products opportunity, there was only one choice to help me launch the business: Francisco.

    Francisco's consumer products experience immediately proved critical in building a core team. He also developed key go-to-market strategies and negotiated key agreements which allowed us to quickly bring products to market. Francisco is both analytical and practical in his approach to business.

    I'm proud to say that within just a little more than two years, Univision Consumer Products has been nominated for two LIMA awards. Those nominations are in large part to Francisco's contributions.“ Rick Alessandri

Sesame Workshop

  • “I consider it a great privilege to have worked with Francisco at Sesame Workshop where his unique combination of analytical and strategic skills had a dramatic impact on our business. He developed and launched new regional programs and created from scratch a worldwide initiative that stands to this day as a critical piece of Sesame’s portfolio. I consider it an even greater privilege to have followed his career through ESPN and Univision where he has built business after business, division after division. Francisco is an executive who takes the bull by the horns, strategically dissects challenges and opportunities and develops a plan to maximize any situation. He’s a true architect. When you combine this talent with his great charm and tremendous energy, it’s an unbeatable profile.“ Elizabeth Kalodner

  • “Francisco is a stellar marketing/licensing/new business development leader. I was fortunate to be able to hire him to lead Sesame Workshop's business across all divisions in Latin America where he did an outstanding job. He thinks "big picture" while at the same time rolls up his sleeves and get things done. Francisco knows what it takes to move business forward, build a brand that creates value for partners and his company. He is a highly effective leader who inspires colleagues to never settle for the status quo. Francisco never lets an obstacle get in the way of finding a solution.“ Maura Regan

CO-WORKERS

Univision Communications

  • “Francisco posses a unique skill set and background with strong brand business development and marketing experience as well as a full understanding of the U.S. Hispanic market. He is constantly pursuing innovation in what he does engaging cross-division relationships to build new opportunities. From a Marketing perspective, I often refer to him as a resource for ideas to improve communications with our core clients and consumers. It is exciting and a pleasure working with him.“ Chiqui Cartagena

  • “Working with Francisco allowed me to see his ability to create value for our organization. During my interaction with Francisco I was able to see his professionalism and dedication to drive business results in challenging environments. His ability to maintain a positive win-win attitude makes working with him a pleasure! His knowledge of the licensing business and great personality make him an accessible executive who takes the time to share his industry knowledge with those that work with him.“ Mario Anglada

CLIENTS

  • “It was a successful and enjoyable journey collaborating with Francisco on the development of the first ever created global creative vision and style guide of the Billboard & The Hollywood Reporter brands. His vision allowed us to develop various creative themes, product collections and retail renderings to position the Consumer Products program across multiple categories. He proved to be a great leader and a visionary throughout the creative process, which resulted in the successful launch of the program at CES in Vegas. From his enthusiasm with the work to making us feel part of the team, he inspired StyleWorks to do our best creative work.“ Thomas Froberg

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