Veteran media executive Peter van Roden was named senior vice president of global themed entertainment for Warner Bros. Discovery in 2016. In this role, Van Roden is responsible for developing and implementing global entertainment strategies to accelerate brand building and revenue growth, including theme parks, themed entertainment attractions, exhibits and live events across the globe.
Warner Bros. Discovery’s themed entertainment division creates, develops and licences location-based entertainment (LBE), live events, exhibits and theme park experiences based on the biggest franchises and characters from Warner Bros. film, TV, animation and games studios. The company’s LBE portfolio includes the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal theme parks around the world, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi and the Game of Thrones Studio Tour.
One recent attraction by Warner Bros. Discovery and Thinkwell was Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience, an immersive nighttime woodland trail. Speaking to blooloop, Van Roden said the experience gave fans “a way to enjoy some of the most iconic and magical wizarding world moments in an experience unlike anything we’ve ever done before on the franchise”.
“Harry Potter fans are at the heart of what we do and part of every decision we make. We know fans have been eager for an experience that includes the Forbidden Forest and all their favorite creatures,” he added. “Attention to detail is what sets Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment experiences apart and puts them in a class of their own. We think when fans walk through and experience all of the surprise and delight moments the light trail has to offer, they’ll feel like they’re immersed in the Wizarding World.
Before joining Warner Bros., Van Roden was National Geographic’s senior vice president of global experiences and events. He also worked at Sesame Workshop as vice president of themed entertainment.