HALIFAX — WildBrain Ltd.’s board of directors has extended Eric Ellenbogen’s (above) contract as CEO and vice-chair of the company for three years, according to a press release today from the kids’ and family entertainment company.
Since joining WildBrain in August 2019 (when the company was still called DHX Media), Ellenbogen “has bolstered the Company’s core businesses, while opening new growth areas and expanding into new regions,” the release notes.
“These past three years saw us deliberately build the resources and teams to create an end-to-end 360-degree platform to monetize kids’ brands globally in the digital world,” Ellenbogen said in the press release. “While this required significant and consistent investment to reposition and turn our assets to account, we are now set to generate meaningful financial returns in the years ahead.
“We believe we are the only independent global kids’ company with this full, 360-degree suite of capabilities across production, marketing, distribution and licensing — a truly unique and valuable position in today’s media landscape,” Ellenbogen added.
Looking ahead to the next three years, Ellenbogen said WildBrain has “already built an incredibly strong content pipeline of our owned IP that we’ll be bringing back to market and monetizing across our 360-degree platform. We’ll continue to build on this strong pipeline and, further, we’ll now look to bring on and develop more, and deeper, partnerships with third-party kids’ brands.
“We’ll also continue to look to partner with the large distribution platforms that need our capabilities to truly compete, allowing them to engage viewers wherever, however and whenever audiences want.”
Some of WildBrain’s business highlights during Ellenbogen’s tenure include bolstering the company’s management team with former executives from NBCUniversal, DreamWorks, Disney, Nickelodeon, 20th Century Fox and Hasbro.
Under Ellenbogen’s leadership, WildBrain has grown its WildBrain Spark digital media division to more than one trillion minutes of viewing time on YouTube, according to the release.
The company has also expanded its UK-based consumer products agency WildBrain CPLG into Asia Pacific, North America, India, Germany and Italy, and launched a dedicated China office, under Ellenbogen’s watch.
In the last three years, WildBrain has increased its IP holdings through deals with partners such as Jay Ward Productions, relaunched the Strawberry Shortcake brand and subsequently signed distribution deals for the new animation series Berry in the Big City with Netflix, Peacock, Roku and Amazon Prime Video, among others.
Other original content and library deals signed with major distribution partners have included multiple Peanuts series and specials for Apple TV+, a new Yo Gabba Gabba! series and library content for Apple TV+, a new Degrassi series and library content for HBO Max, new Caillou series and specials for Peacock, a new Sonic Prime series for Netflix, as well as a new Johnny Test series, Chip and Potato series and Go, Dog. Go! series, also for Netflix.
“When Eric was appointed CEO and Vice Chair almost three years ago, WildBrain needed a new vision and a turnaround,” said Don Wright, chair of WildBrain’s board of directors, in the release. “In that time, he has successfully set the Company on a profitable and sustainable growth trajectory. He has built a deep and experienced management team and infused our global organization with a culture of creative excellence, innovation, accountability and inclusivity.
“On behalf of the Board, we’re confident that Eric is the right leader to drive shareholder value, with a compelling vision for WildBrain’s future,” Wright said.
“I believe our management team is one of the strongest in entertainment, and I’m delighted to continue working with this talented group to cement WildBrain’s leadership position in the kids’ and family business,” Ellenbogen said.
“I’m grateful to my colleagues across the entire WildBrain organization for their passion, dedication and hard work, and also to my fellow Board members for their continued support and their diligence on behalf of our shareholders. It’s a great time to be at WildBrain, and I couldn’t be more excited for what comes next.”
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Photo provided by WildBrain.
