to have responsibility for offering rights in their territory without detailed background
knowledge on the rights status of each title.
WHAT SKILLS ARE REQUIRED?
The skills are many and varied, and often difficult to find in a single individual!
1 Both intuitive and informed judgement on the saleability of a project in
a variety of forms and markets is very important. This can be a particularly
critical skill in trade publishing, where rights deals are a major part
of the publishing process and where the views of rights staff may be a key
element in shaping the content and design of a project. An ability to adapt
to new circumstances is essential, particularly as new media and new
markets offer additional licensing possibilities.
2 A detailed knowledge of the range of projects that are to be handled
enables the requirements of a wide range of individual customers to be
met – the larger the list, the greater the need to home in quickly and
accurately on suitable titles.
3 The ability to develop detailed and up-to-date knowledge of key licensing
markets. This may involve regular reading of appropriate publications on
the economic and political circumstances of particular markets, and
updating one’s knowledge of developments in new media.
4 A real flair and enthusiasm for the sales process is essential, although selling
techniques will inevitably vary, depending on the nature of the product,
the target market and the personalities of both seller and buyer. The same
rights manager will probably have to operate quite differently when dealing
with an American publisher and a Chinese publisher; strong and appropriate
negotiating skills are essential.
5 Although not all areas of rights require linguistic skills, those rights staff
working in appropriate areas should be able to speak some foreign languages
(including American English) at least to the extent of using appropriate
publishing terminology!
6 An ability to deal effectively with a variety of authors and agents as well
as a wide range of staff at all levels within one’s own publishing house –
from a chief executive to a shipping clerk. This requires excellent
communication skills.
7 A good knowledge of both editorial and production processes is important;
the latter is particularly vital when dealing with coedition projects.
8 Sound numeracy skills are essential; financial calculations may often have
to be undertaken in busy or stressful situations.
9 Rights staff must be able to conduct a wide range of negotiations simultaneously,
each at a different stage, without losing control. Prioritizing
workload is vital.