Research Manager / Analyst (Intellectual Property & Qualitative Insights)

About the Role

DramaBox is redefining scripted storytelling through high-impact vertical short dramas and serialized digital content. We’re looking for a Research Manager / Analyst, Intellectual Property & Qualitative Insights who excels at the intersection of content insights, audience intelligence, IP tracking, and trend mapping across content ecosystems.

This role serves as the mission control of our content strategy team – combining IP-level data analytics with qualitative research to provide data-backed due diligence support throughout the lifecycle of the IP acquisition process, helping to identify and target valuable stories, concepts, and formats in the entertainment / online content landscape with potential to translate into high-impact vertical short drama adaptations.

The Research Manager will work across genres and platforms (TikTok, YouTube, Wattpad, Webtoon, Kindle, Audible, Reddit) to assess what content is gaining momentum, where audience demand is headed, and which IPs could spark high-impact originals or cross-platform franchises. Familiarity with a range of existing IP formats is vital, along with a curiosity for emerging IP and narrative tech – From web novels, audio dramas, and social media creator-driven series to books and fandom-driven worlds.

In addition to maintaining a pulse on the IP landscape and supporting the acquisitions process, the Research Manager will also work cross-functionally with relevant teams to conduct qualitative research analysis of DramaBox titles prior to and following release. Such analyses will be utilized to build a framework of insights that will aid in shaping and adjusting the ongoing content strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Track the lifecycle of emerging IP across media ecosystems
• Use data tools to monitor traction across social media, digital publishing platforms, and fandom spaces
• Map genre, trope, and format patterns to larger shifts in cultural or platform taste
• Benchmark IP performance using engagement, search volume, ratings / reviews, social sentiment, and sales / downloads
• Identify breakout titles, creators, or story archetypes with high adaptation potential
• Track historical and real-time success metrics for acquired or competitor IP
• Develop IP archetypes, tone profiles, and emotional signatures to support dev teams
• Monitor what competitors are optioning, producing, or adapting
• Track franchise performance across seasons, spin-offs, or cross-medium adaptations
• Analyze viewer sentiment across reviews and comment threads on social platforms
• Conduct viewer interviews, panels, thematic analyses, or surveys with fans to understand attachment drivers
• Track and correlate emerging trends (aesthetics, humor, youth culture)
• Build audience personas grounded in psychographics and fan behavior theory

Qualifications

You’ll Thrive in This Role If You…