Kari Smith Email & Phone Number

Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, United States

I’m a go-to problem solver, dot-connector, and strategic sidekick across Pro Shop’s brands – Skratch, Sugarloaf Social Club, and Pro Shop Studios, where I juggle everything from establishing and fine-tuning business operations to liaising with our outside counsel on IP matters and public relations firm on the latest exciting announcements. My days blend legal finesse, project wizardry, and a talent for aligning people and priorities — plus a knack for jumping into any unexpected challenge thrown my way. Whether it’s tackling contracts, juggling technology challenges, planning marketing activations, or making sure our cross-functional projects stay on track, I’m here to make sure all the moving parts work together seamlessly, fueling our big-picture growth and day-to-day success.

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

• Managing an expansive global intellectual property (IP) portfolio across 12+ brands, boasting 22 patents and oversight of more than 700 trademark matters. • Performing rigorous IP portfolio audit, curating brand-specific trademark frameworks by leveraging pertinent data points, and establishing a centralized invoicing process resulting in an immediate reduction of outside counsel expenditures and improving overall cost efficiency.• Conducting comprehensive clearance searches, evaluating availability and potential infringement risks of proposed trademarks, and providing necessary specimens of use for existing registrations. • Monitoring and enforcing IP rights, including investigating unauthorized use and drafting cease and desist letters.• Collaborating across departments and external resources to manage and resolve IP disputes and alleged infringement claims.• Mitigating company risk by drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial and expense contracts spanning diverse legal areas (IP, sweepstakes, mergers and acquisitions, artificial intelligence, vendor procurement, content creation, and digital advertising) across multiple brands (CNET, MYMOVE, SaveOnEnergy, Allconnect); drafting, maintaining, and implementing form agreements.• Providing project management for internal counsel for various initiatives and streamlining processes.Proficiencies in utilizing AI and legal software, such as contract management systems.

Jacksonville, Florida Area

Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, United States

• Served as the senior client services contact for PGA TOUR media rights holders across Asia, Latin America and Canada; oversaw the support infrastructure across all audio visual and media rights deals to ensure proper execution and compliance.• Managed in-market account managers located in Beijing, China & Tokyo, Japan to ensure successful support and execution of partnerships across Asia.• Led biannual global partner workshop planning and execution efforts.• Produced regular, detailed reporting and analysis of partnership developments and progress across the organization.• Contributed to departmental operations, including staffing, budget management/cost containment and internal communications.

• Examined all aspects of events, including tournament leadership, event offerings, and programming to promote a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable product resulting in the creation of best practices, presentations to executive leaders and implementation at tournaments.• Collaborated and developed connections with global sports leagues; research and reviewed their international hiring practices and evaluate opportunities for the refinement of the PGA TOUR’s best practices through company’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl

• Minimized company risk by drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contractual agreements in the areas of intellectual property, tournament business affairs, vendor procurement, music licensing, gaming and sports betting, media (domestic and international) regulations, digital and production services (including drones), waivers and releases.• Researched and developed safe operating parameters to debut the approved use of drones to capture content during tournaments. • Improved cross-departmental collaboration and processes by creating and implementing standardized templates resulting in increased productivity with decreased time required per matter.

• Established and deployed new internal offerings for engagement as Co-Chair of an employee resource group focusing on educational, charitable and career development opportunities with an emphasis on building a more inclusive and productive workplace.• Contributed content and ideas for internal newsletters focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion, recaps of offerings by employee resource groups, and external content for company LinkedIn page.

Jacksonville, Florida

Parsippany, New Jersey

Jacksonville, Florida Area