RWS Entertainment Group (RWS), a creator of award-winning custom entertainment, has announced the appointment of industry veteran Robby Gilbert to its leadership team. The announcement coincides with the launch of new experiences and a year of record growth for a key subsidiary.
Joining as the firm’s new global director of business development, Gilbert will assist the team at RWS, and its subsidiary JRA – part of RWS Entertainment Group, to expand their planning, design, implementation and operations credentials with zoos, aquariums, science centres and botanical gardens internationally.
In this role, Gilbert will drive the development, production and delivery of premium leased experiences. He will also manage associated branded retail products, to be produced by London-based The Experience Department (ted), part of RWS Entertainment Group.
The announcement comes as RWS outlines its intentions to create custom leased experiences and merchandise featuring renowned brands such as brand-new Hershey’s and Guinness World Records attractions, available from this autumn.
Zoo experience
Before his latest appointment, Gilbert was CEO at HRG Concepts, which worked on the concept design, fabrication and installation of exhibit elements for animal attractions including Phoenix Zoo, San Antonio Zoo, Nashville Zoo and Baton Rouge Zoo, alongside numerous travelling exhibits.
Gilbert also brings experience from developing more than two dozen STEAM-based leased experiences, including the supervision of animatronic figure production.
Senior VP of marketing and business development, Kevin Kreczko, says: “Robby has spent the last fourteen years building amazing partnerships with zoos, aquariums, science museums and botanical gardens around the world. As our new global director, business development, he will help to deliver immersive leased experiences, dynamic science exhibits and engaging cultural attractions to our clients.
“With the addition of Robby to the team, and with the expansion of our leased experiences offerings to top brands like Hershey’s and Guinness World Records, we can raise the experience of visitors to new heights across more markets than ever before.”
Gilbert will be available for discussions at this month’s AZA Annual Conference, taking place 27 August – 1 September 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland, as well as the Association of Science and Technology Centers Conference taking place next month in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Attendees can schedule an appointment by emailing Gilbert in advance.
With offices in New York, London and Cincinnati, the company currently has other full-time, seasonal and contract positions available for its offices in New York, London and Cincinnati, with more information on its website.
RWS Entertainment Group has also recently announced the addition of Jake McCoy as director of operations within its European operations team.
