PARTNER & PRESIDENT OF CO-LAB
Jim Fielding has lived his life at the intersection of storytelling, innovation, and engagement. A storyteller at heart, he is committed to making incremental yet impactful, positive change in his corner of the world.
Jim serves as President of Archer Gray’s Co-Lab Division, which focuses on building businesses via venture investments, and launching products and consumer experiences. Working across the Archer Gray team, Jim works to identify unique opportunities to address the challenging and competitive global marketplace.
An experienced and respected industry veteran for more than 30 years, Jim is known for his unique background and management acumen, as well as his commitment to improving the customer experience as a competitive advantage. A culture and team builder, he has recruited and trained global leaders in a variety of disciplines and at all levels of several organizations and media companies.
Prior to joining Archer Gray, Jim formed and continues to advise Then What, Inc.- a boutique Brand and Creative Agency based in Los Angeles. He also formed a personal strategic consultant agency called Intersected Stories. Both of these ventures allowed Jim to share his vast experience and network with a variety of Global Brands, Retailers, and Media companies.
Fielding previously served as President, Consumer Products & Innovation at 20th Century Fox, reporting to the CEO of the Film Studio and the Co-CEOS of the Television Group. He oversaw all licensing and merchandising for a vast portfolio of Brands, including the work of Twentieth Century Fox Film, Fox Networks Group, and FX Network. Among the key properties under his worldwide purview were The Simpsons, Bob’s Burgers, Family Guy, American Horror Story, Avatar, Planet of the Apes, Predator, Alien, and the animated franchises, including Ice Age.
Prior to joining Fox, he served as the Global Head for Consumer Products and Retail Development at Dreamworks Animation, culminating in the launch of the Trolls franchise. Fielding also served as CEO of Claire’s Stores, Inc, overseeing strategic growth and international development for the chain’s over 3000 stores in 41 countries. Fielding’s tenure at Claire’s was preceded by four years as President of Disney Store Worldwide, where he oversaw the $1.2 billion business in 12 countries. In this role, Jim led a complete re-architecture of the company’s brand and merchandising strategy, the launch of a new design concept in 2010, and the development of the E-Commerce business. An 11- year veteran of Disney, Fielding also held the position of EVP, Global Retail Sales and Marketing for Disney Consumer Products from 2004 to 2008.
Fielding began his career working for some of the world’s leading retailers, including stints at Dayton Hudson Department Store Company, The Gap, The J. Peterman Company, and Lands’End, where he served as the GMM of the Co-Ed Division.
An active Angel Investor and Start-Up advisor, Mr. Fielding currently serves on the Board of Directors for Inked Brands and Xcel Brands. He has invested in a number of unique companies in the retail and consumer goods industries, and is a member of the Indiana University Angel Network.
Fielding is known as an active community leader and philanthropist, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Indiana University Foundation. He is the 2020 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from the LGBTQ+ Alumni Association and the Foundation President’s Medallion for Service. He is also a member of the President’s Circle, and has established several scholarship endowments supporting students in overseas study, overseas internships, and leadership and advocacy training. He is a founding member of the Queer Philanthropy Circle, a member of the Black Philanthropy Circle, and the Women’s Philanthropic Leadership Council. He is a founding member of the Palm Springs, CA Art Museum Architecture and Design Center, was Board Chairman for Make-A-Wish International. He previously served on the Board of Kidspace Museum in Pasadena, California and the Los Angeles chapter of the American Red Cross.
Favorite Film: All About Eve. How can you not love the inside look at the theatrical world with exquisite actors, writing, costumes, and sets? And the bonus of a young starlet named Marilyn Monroe.