Scott O’Neil, the new CEO of Merlin Entertainments, has more than 25 years’ experience in leading and managing global sports and entertainment brands. He has a reputation for innovation, an eye for strategic and global brand development and partnerships, and a passion for culture and talent development.
O’Neil has stewarded some of the sports and entertainment industry’s most renowned and iconic brands and properties, including the NBA’s New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers, the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles, the NHL’s New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils, and the Madison Square Garden and Prudential Center sports and entertainment arenas.
O’Neil strives to create innovative, inspiring, diverse and high performing businesses and brands. He recently published a life leadership book titled Be Where Your Feet Are. O’Neil earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Villanova University, and a master’s in business administration from Harvard Business School.
Merlin is the largest visitor attraction operator in Europe and the second-largest in the world. O’Neil is responsible for overseeing the business operations and global growth of Merlin across its 147 attractions in 25 countries. “Merlin Entertainments has world-class brands, an incredible management team, wonderful people and a great culture,” O’Neil told blooloop.
“It is a successful business with a supportive board and all the resources that it needs to be great. But what I’ve taken from my career history is that transformational mindset. I’m constantly trying to figure out how we can move the ball forward. How can we get better? How can we get smarter and how can we do things differently?”
He added: “When it comes to purpose, Merlin is in the memory-making business. So, I get to get up every morning and think about how you bring wonder and joy and happiness, and help create memories. That is something that has you popping out of bed and sprinting to work. And that’s something that I’ve had for a good portion of my career; I never want to lose that.”