Simon Philips joins board of Falcon’s Beyond

Simon Philips, one of the licensing industry’s most accomplished executives, has joined the board of Falcon’s Beyond Global.

He will use his unparalleled expertise will help drive the unique entertainment and consumer product synergies at the vertically-integrated experiential entertainment powerhouse – now deploying its 360° IP Expander model around the globe.

Philips has previously served as president of Marvel Entertainment International, where he was a member of the leadership team that helped build Marvel into a retail powerhouse and paved the way for its sale to Disney. He later became Executive Vice-President & General Manager, The Walt Disney Company, Europe, the Middle East & Africa, where his strategic approach to bringing to life iconic brands from across the Disney, Star Wars, Pixar, and Marvel portfolio through licensing generated over $16 billion in annual sales.

Philips currently serves as Managing Director, Global Consumer Products, at Moonbug Entertainment, the company behind digital-first properties CoComelon and Blippi, and many others.

“Falcon’s Beyond is playing in an unlimited sandbox,” says Philips. “We have the IPs and we can create, distribute and optimise content across many platforms simultaneously. As we develop multiple touchpoints, we can rapidly grow a very successful consumer products programme. Then we have the unmatched opportunity to take all of that into immersive theme park spaces around the globe — at unprecedented speed.

“This transmedia superpower sets Falcon’s Beyond apart from its competition. No one else can do what Falcon’s Beyond can. It’s disruptive, it’s progressive. Falcon’s represents the future of engagement in IP.”

Cecil Magpuri, CEO of Falcon’s Beyond, says: “Having Simon Philips join the team is an undeniable testament to our vision. Falcon’s goes way back with Simon, starting with major Marvel projects in Korea and Dubai, and he understands that great storytelling is at the heart of everything we do. Simon brings over 30 years of incomparable experience and insight to the game. Again and again, he has proven his ability to see the future of global entertainment. Incredible things are on the horizon.”

Philips joins the board on the heels of Falcon’s most recent announcements of forthcoming projects in the entertainment and hospitality sectors. In September 2021, Falcon’s announced Curiosity Playground, a new experiential edutainment venue that will bring to life multiple iconic properties, such as Dinosaur Train, SuperWHY!, Odd Squad and Wild Kratts.

In December 2021, Falcon’s and global hotel company Meliá Hotels International announced plans to develop a world-class theme park and premier entertainment, dining, and retail destination in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Falcon’s Beyond Global brings its own proprietary and partner IPs to global markets through owned and operated theme parks, resorts, attractions, patented technologies, feature films, episodic series, consumer products, licensing, and beyond. The company has won numerous design awards and provided design services in 39 countries around the world.

www.falconsbeyondglobal.com