Mumbai: Marvel Entertainment, Inc. has promoted Simon Philips to president worldwide consumer products. Philips, who was previously president, Marvel International, will also remain in the role as Marvel’s head of worldwide animation. The announcement was made by Marvel Entertainment executive vice president office of the chief executive John Turitzin.
In his new role, Philips will spearhead Marvel’s continued global consumer products expansion. Additionally, he will be responsible for further developing Marvel’s direct to retail relationships and forging closer ties with major retail partners, expanding Marvel’s video game and wireless licensing businesses, and working with Marvel’s new themed entertainment park partners while seeking out new opportunities for the company.
Marvel Entertainment president consumer products North America Paul Gitter will continue to run the company’s U.S. and Canadian consumer products business and will expand his role to include oversight of Marvel’s consumer products businesses in Central and South America.
Philips joined Marvel in 2006 as president marvel international, where he oversaw the company’s international consumer products division, maximizing Marvel’s worldwide presence through the development of comprehensive licensing campaigns based on the company’s major movie events and the enduring popularity of its character library. More recently, he has also been responsible for overseeing Marvel’s strong animation focus and its interactive entertainment licensing business.
"Phillips has been instrumental in growing our international business and raising the profile for the Marvel brand on a global level," said Turitzin. "It gives us great pleasure to announce this appointment and recognize Phillips for his contributions to the overall success of the company. Phillips’s depth of experience is unmatched, and we are confident that he will continue to strengthen and develop the global vision for our business."
Philips, a licensing industry veteran, helped create some of the most recognizable global entertainment licensing sensations. Prior to joining Marvel, he served as the managing director of 4Kids Entertainment International.
Philips’ extensive international experience also includes serving as founder/CEO of Licensing Dynamics International, a leading consumer products and media agency spanning the Middle East, the Mediterranean Basin and South America. He was responsible for the International Licensing for the 1994 Winter Olympics and a Licensing Manager at British Olympic Licensing Ltd. Well-respected within the industry, Philips recently completed a three-year term on the Board of Directors of the Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA).
