Warner Bros. Discovery has created a new division for all of its location-based experiences, including theme parks, touring exhibitions, retail destinations and studio tours.
The new segment, called Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences, will work to expand the company’s location-based entertainment (LBE) offering. It will combine the existing Global Themed Entertainment licensing group and the Studio Tours & Retail component into a unified division.
“Warner Bros. Discovery has an incredible mix of location-based experiences for fans around the world, from theme parks and tours to exhibits, retail and more,” said Bruce Campbell, chief revenue and strategy Officer for Warner Bros. Discovery.
“Bringing these two teams together under one roof gives us an opportunity to leverage and coordinate the talent and resources across all of our experiential businesses to better delight our consumers through offering even more truly authentic and engaging in-person experiences and events in every market.”
Simon Robinson, chief operating officer of WBD Studios, will oversee Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences in addition to his current responsibilities.Â
The new team will drive growth and position Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences as a worldwide leader in the creation, development, licensing and operating of LBE experiences.
Robinson has appointed two industry veterans to his organisation. Peter van Roden, executive vice president of Global Themed Entertainment, will continue in his role leading the licensed LBE and theme parks business, as well as global business development.
Driving LBE growth
His team will continue to manage partnerships with Universal Destinations & Experiences for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter locations, Miral for Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, and the company’s other licensed exhibitions.
Sarah Roots, executive vice president of worldwide Studio Tours & Retail, will continue in her role leading experiences including the Warner Bros. studio tours in the UK, Japan and Hollywood, as well as the Harry Potter flagship store in New York and other retail experiences.
Robinson said: “Peter and Sarah are experts in curating and executing global location-based experiences at the very highest caliber.
“Our teams have an obsession for detail that we bring to each project and together, we will be able to bring partners – and fans – even more of what they’ve come to expect from a Warner Bros. experience.”
Images courtesy of Warner Bros. Discovery
