Consumer branding pro will lead global management of the company’s existing IP across licensing, merchandising, retail, and promotions; previously spearheaded successful licensing programs for major franchises including ‘Star Wars’ for Lucasfilm Ltd. and ‘The Hunger Games’ and ‘Twilight’ for Lionsgate.
Genius Brands International, Inc. (Genius Brands), creator and licensor of multimedia entertainment content for children, has appointed Kerry Phelan to the newly created position of executive vice president & general manager of Global Franchise Management. She reports to both Andy Heyward, Chairman & CEO, and Harold Chizick, President of Global Content Sales, Marketing & Consumer Products.
Phelan, a 30-year consumer branding executive, was recruited by, and worked for, Lucasfilm Ltd. after she successfully launched the Star Wars brand at LEGO Systems Inc. While at Lucasfilm she led the global consumer products & promotional licensing business for Star Wars franchise. She then joined Pixar Animation Studios where, in concert with Disney Consumer Products, she launched the original Cars consumer product program. Following Pixar, Phelan spent seven years at DreamWorks Animation as head of consumer products and licensing, driving the development of franchise management plans for the studio’s film and television properties, including Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, and How to Train Your Dragon. She also managed their retail consumer products business. Most recently, Phelan served as President of Global Franchise Management at Lionsgate Entertainment, where she led the creation of brand extensions spanning location-based and live entertainment venues, consumer products, licensed merchandise, brand partnerships and an array of promotional ventures for such franchises as The Hunger Games and Twilight.
In her new role at Genius Brands, Phelan will be responsible for global management of the company’s existing IP across licensing, merchandising, retail, and promotions, including Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten, Shaq’s Garage, Stan Lee Universe, and Rainbow Rangers, as well as properties currently in development.
“Kerry’s pedigree and reputation in entertainment branding is unparalleled as she has driven the global revenue streams of some of the most lucrative franchises in history,” stated Chizick. “In the coming year, we have multiple properties launching into the global retail marketplace, including Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten, which just premiered on Kartoon Channel!, as well as Shaq’s Garage and Stan Lee Universe, plus more categories coming to market around Rainbow Rangers. Kerry’s leadership and strategic guidance will be instrumental in driving the growth of our brands around the world. She is a dream executive to have on board to help us achieve our long-term goals.”
“The majority of my career has been spent building properties into global franchises, specifically in the children’s space,” added Phelan. “Having had a peek at the coming pipeline, I am excited about the future at Genius Brands and the opportunity to build bigger brand ecosystems around their properties.”
Source: Genius Brands International, Inc.
