Pam Kaufman, a seasoned studio veteran and the influential head of Paramount’s international business, is reportedly departing the company after an illustrious career spanning nearly three decades. Sources indicate that Kaufman will step down from her dual role as president and CEO of international markets, global consumer products and experiences. In this capacity, she was instrumental in spearheading the expansion and growth of Paramount’s international footprint across six continents, overseeing broadcast and cable networks, streaming services, and studio operations.

Kaufman initially joined Nickelodeon in 1997, where she became its inaugural Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). During her tenure at Nickelodeon, she played a pivotal role in the conceptualization and development of several multi-billion-dollar franchises, including iconic properties like SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, JoJo Siwa, and PAW Patrol. This remarkable success paved the way for her to assume leadership of Paramount’s first-ever global consumer products division in 2018, where she was responsible for the entire brand portfolio, encompassing Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, and Paramount Pictures.

Her responsibilities further expanded in 2021 when Kaufman was appointed president of global consumer products and experiences. In this elevated role, she supervised worldwide product and business development, marketing, franchise planning, creative strategy, retail sales, and consumer insights for all brands within the portfolio. Just a year later, her purview broadened again to include oversight of the company’s comprehensive international business operations, covering streaming, free-to-air television, cable networks, and more.

In an internal memo to staff, obtained by Variety and titled “I’ve had the slime of my life,” Kaufman expressed that working at Paramount had been “the honor of a lifetime.” She highlighted collective achievements, stating, “Together, we built billion-dollar franchises. We turned a yellow sea sponge into a global icon. We acquired and reignited the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, made ‘Emily in Paris’ a must-have lifestyle brand, and built PAW Patrol into a top preschool brand.” Kaufman also noted significant collaborations, mentioning, “We hit fashion runways with designers from Stella McCartney to Gucci, and we stayed in the zeitgeist with collaborations that sold out in minutes – from Crocs to Supreme.”

Further underscoring her impact, Kaufman pointed to the success of their gaming business, which allowed fans to engage with properties like Star Trek Fleet Command, boasting over 20 million downloads. She also cited theatrical productions on Broadway and London’s West End, such as ‘Mean Girls’ and ‘Sunset Boulevard,’ and the expansion into award-winning hotels, resorts, theme parks, and live tours. These efforts in building world-class brands and franchises collectively culminated in the creation of a substantial $7 billion retail business.

Outside of her commitments at Paramount, Kaufman dedicates her time to serving on the boards of Lindblad Expeditions, Stella McCartney, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. Her departure comes amidst a series of exits by other senior executives from Paramount, a development occurring in the wake of the proposed Skydance acquisition. Earlier in the month, it was announced that Marc Weinstock, president of global marketing and distribution, was leaving, following the departures of global co-CEOs Chris McCarthy and Brian Robbins, longtime communications executive David Bittler, chief content licensing officer Dan Cohen, president of communications Liza Burnett Fefferman, and CEO of Paramount Streaming Tom Ryan.

Concluding her memo, Kaufman expressed optimism for the future, stating, “I am excited to see what David Ellison, Jeff Shell, and the new leadership team have planned for the future. While I am consulting through the end of the year, I leave with immense pride in what we have built and confidence in what’s ahead. I will always be rooting for Paramount, and I will definitely be first in line for the Top Gun Las Vegas experience.”