Marvel Enterprises Creates Marvel International; Appoints Bruno Maglione President, Marvel International
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nov. 13, 2003–
– Senior Entertainment Executive to Spearhead Company’s International Push –
Reflecting its strategic focus to develop the international side of its business, Marvel Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE:MVL) announced today that Bruno Maglione, a senior entertainment, brand management and licensing executive has been named President of Marvel International – a newly created entity whose purpose will be to develop the company’s overall presence, business operations and profile in key international markets. Mr. Maglione will be based in London and report to Allen Lipson, Marvel’s CEO for all activities other than Consumer Products where Mr. Maglione will report to Tim Rothwell, Marvel’s recently appointed President of Worldwide Consumer Products.
Mr. Maglione brings to Marvel more than fifteen years of international experience covering brand management, retail, theme parks, film promotions and consumer products licensing. For the last five years he has been Managing Director and Senior Vice President of Universal Studios Consumer Products Europe & MEA which he developed financially and organizationally into one of the leading regional Studio consumer products divisions. At Marvel, Mr. Maglione will be charged with establishing the Marvel franchise and business model internationally, and will oversee all the company’s activities with a view to developing them synergistically. International development is a primary pillar of the Company’s overall growth strategy.
During his tenure at Universal, Mr. Maglione was responsible for all of the operations related to the licensing of Universal’s movie, television, animation and video production for both current production slates and the Studio’s library. Working directly with Marvel Mr. Maglione supervised the planning and realization of the highly successful European licensing program for Universal Studios’ The Hulk, a program that encompassed more than 150 licensees and achieved record results. Other Universal film licensing projects directly supervised by Mr. Maglione include The Mummy, Jurassic Park III, ET the Extra-Terrestrial, The Fast and the Furious and event movies from Universal’s upcoming 2004 slate. Under his direction, Mr. Maglione’s business unit also performed similar business activities on behalf of third parties (sports, estates, studios) and project managed new children’s animation initiatives originated from the Studio’s London production labels.
Prior to joining Universal, Mr. Maglione was a Vice President at Walt Disney’s Euro Disney resort where he headed up alliances, synergy and seasonal marketing, and was an important contributor to that company’s business turnaround. He has held senior marketing, financial and corporate development positions with companies both in the United States and Europe.
Commenting on the appointment, Allen Lipson stated, “This is a major strategic initiative for the Company. Marvel’s international growth potential is largely untapped and Bruno brings us exactly the breadth and depth of experience we need to fully capitalize on the opportunity with a 360-degree vision. We will be looking to him to lay the foundations for long-term franchise development in addition to shorter-term activities to grow business and raise the corporate profile abroad.”
Bruno Maglione added, “Marvel possesses one of the greatest character catalogues in the entertainment world and one which is enjoying a resurgence thanks to the box office success of Marvel character movies. The Company has only begun to scratch the surface of opportunities that this combination brings to key markets abroad and I am honored to be charged with the assignment of leading the Company’s corporate development internationally.”
Mr. Maglione is a graduate of Brown University and the Harvard Business School. He is married and has two children.
About Marvel Enterprises
Marvel Enterprises, Inc. is a leading global character-based entertainment licensing company that has developed and owns a library of over 4,700 characters which have entertained generations around the world for over 60 years. Marvel’s operations are focused in entertainment and consumer product licensing and comic book publishing. Marvel’s creative teams at its Marvel Studios, Marvel Comics and Toy Biz divisions support the development of feature films (and DVD/video), video games, TV series and toy lines based on its characters. Marvel also licenses its characters for use in a broad and growing range of consumer products and services including apparel, collectibles, food and promotions. Marvel Comics is a leading global comics publisher and an invaluable source of intellectual property; Marvel Studios works with studios to develop feature film and entertainment projects; and Toy Biz is a recognized leader in toy design, sales and marketing that develops and oversees both licensee and in-house toy lines. For additional information visit http://www.marvel.com.
Except for any historical information that they contain, the statements in this news release regarding Marvel’s plans are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including a decrease in the level of media exposure or popularity of Marvel’s characters, financial difficulties of Marvel’s licensees, changing consumer preferences, movie- and television-production delays and cancellations, toy-production delays or shortfalls, continued concentration of toy retailers, toy inventory risk, the imposition of quotas or tariffs on products manufactured in China and a decrease in cash flow even as Marvel remains indebted to its noteholders. These and other risks and uncertainties are described in Marvel’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Marvel’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Marvel assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.
