Laura Takaragawa
About Laura Takaragawa
Laura Takaragawa serves as the Vice President of Consumer Products and Promotions at VIZ Media, where she has worked since 2021. With a diverse background in licensing and marketing across several major companies, she specializes in experiential licensing and has a strong focus on organizational change and team productivity.
Work at VIZ Media
Laura Takaragawa has held the position of Vice President of Consumer Products and Promotions at VIZ Media since 2021. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the development and promotion of consumer products related to VIZ Media's extensive portfolio of entertainment properties. Her work focuses on enhancing brand visibility and driving sales through innovative product strategies. Based in San Francisco, California, she has contributed to the company's growth in the consumer products sector for three years.
Previous Experience in Licensing
Before joining VIZ Media, Laura Takaragawa worked at Netflix as the Head of Licensing for Netflix Consumer Products from 2019 to 2020. She also served as Vice President of Licensing and Senior Director of Hardlines Licensing at Sanrio, Inc. from 2012 to 2017. Her experience includes a role as Licensing Manager at Guess, Inc. from 1996 to 1999 and as Senior Manager at Disney Consumer Products from 2011 to 2012. These positions have equipped her with extensive knowledge in licensing strategies within the consumer products industry.
Education and Expertise
Laura Takaragawa earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a focus on Entrepreneurship from the University of Southern California - Marshall School of Business, completing her studies from 1990 to 1994. She possesses expertise in anti-piracy enforcement, experiential licensing across various categories, and direct-to-consumer and e-commerce strategies. Her strong background in character and children's licensing has been pivotal in her career, particularly in developing entertainment consumer products.
Leadership and Organizational Focus
In addition to her corporate roles, Laura Takaragawa has been a member of Chief since 2021, a network aimed at supporting women in executive positions. She has a proven track record of driving organizational change and improving team morale and productivity. Her leadership experience is complemented by her previous service as a Board Member at East West Players from 2012 to 2016, where she contributed to the arts community in the Greater Los Angeles Area.
Career Timeline
Laura Takaragawa's career spans over two decades in the consumer products and licensing industry. She began her career at Guess, Inc. and has since held significant roles at various companies, including Mattel, National Geographic Partners, and Sanrio, Inc. Her diverse experiences across different sectors have shaped her understanding of market trends and consumer behavior, positioning her as a knowledgeable leader in the field.