JRA, part of RWS Entertainment Group, has announced several recent promotions as it continues to grow, following the launch of its biggest year to date. The leading experience designer has over a dozen openings set to take place in the next 12 months and is now searching for a new creative director to help it stay at the forefront of its field.
The successful candidate will lead the company’s team of design professionals, based in Cincinnati and across the globe, and will have oversight of all guest experiences, both on land and sea. The new creative director’s responsibilities will include the consistent delivery of all design work. JRA is looking for a professional with the ability to inspire the team, as they work to push boundaries in traditional and emerging media.
JRA has also promoted long-time employee Mark Amos to the role of vice president. In this role, he will help to guide the company’s overall strategic and creative direction, supporting its rapid growth across several markets.
Other recent promotions, following last year’s acquisition by RWS Entertainment Group, a creator of award-winning custom entertainment, live events, and branded experiences, include Shawn McCoy, executive vice president; Ron Bunt, executive vice president; Chloe Hausfeld, vice president and Clara Rice, global director, marketing and communications.
A strategic promotion
Mark Amos has been with the company for almost 20 years, during which time he has worked on a number of successful projects, including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates and Angry Birds Activity Park in St. Petersburg, Russia. He is a results-driven professional with a creative approach, based on his thorough understanding of creative development and design processes, master planning, project and construction management.
As VP, Amos will focus on managing the design staff, fostering collaborative efforts within the industry and providing overall support to the design development of the various JRA projects.
“Promoting Mark to Vice President is both smart and strategic,” says Keith James, President of JRA. “Mark will have a key role in moving JRA forward into expansion and growth. He brings precision and creativity to JRA’s designs and will lead the design team into the future for bigger, bolder and more exciting attractions.”
“JRA has delivered groundbreaking creativity for clients on six of the world’s seven continents,” adds Ryan Stana, Founder and CEO of RWS Entertainment Group. “Enhancing the team by hiring a Creative Director will allow us to deliver uncompromising experiences for our current and new clients, big or small, no matter where they are located.”
Talented team members recognised
Shawn McCoy, who was named on the 2020 blooloop 50 Museum Influencer List, has been with JRA for 28 years. He has been instrumental in guiding clients from the start of a project and through the initial planning and design phase, making sure that they enjoy a smooth working relationship with JRA’s designers, writers and producers.
He has provided strategy and concept development for several projects, and assembled outside specialists and vendors for JRA’s large-scale design efforts. Clients include National Comedy Center, Science Centre Singapore and Hasbro.
Meanwhile, Ron Bunt brings more than four decades of experience to his new role as executive vice president, including 30 years at JRA. He is a talented lighting designer, technical director, and project manager with practical business orientation and a theatrical flair. He has worked on a number of attraction and cultural projects, for instance, Heartsong Theater at Dollywood, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and World of Coca-Cola. He is skilled in the coordination and negotiation of all phases of a project.
Chloe Hausfeld, newly appointed to the role of vice president, has been with the company for 11 years. During this time she has provided sales and relationship management support for current and future clients, solidifying client and prospect relationships at industry tradeshows, events and symposiums around the world. She will now lead the company’s tradeshow programming and industry relations efforts as well as business development globally, specifically in Asia and the Middle East.
Hausfeld is a member of the IAAPA Board of Directors and was named IAAPA Young Professional of the Year in 2017.
In her new role as global director, marketing and communications, Clara Rice will oversee global marketing for RWS Entertainment Group, JRA and Binder Casting. She is an expert in digital marketing, branding, SEO/SMO management, strategic planning, writing and content creation, and has worked for JRA for 14 years.
Rice was previously associate executive director of the Tony Award-winning Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and is currently serving her second term on the TEA’s International Board of Directors. She was awarded a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Management by the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University.
Full details on the creative director vacancy are available here. In a period of unprecedented growth, JRA and parent company RWS Entertainment Group are looking for a variety of diverse, creative and talented people to join their team.
The acquisition of JRA by RWS Entertainment Group was announced at IAAPA Expo 2021. This move creates an exclusive, full-service provider of guest experiences and attractions.
Top image: Mark Amos. Credit Ricky Gee Photo
