In an effort to expand its partnership with popular author J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros. has put together a new Harry Potter Global Franchise Development Team, based between London and Burbank, which will “develop and execute a high-level strategic vision for the Harry Potter brand and its ancillary businesses,” according to the company.
This follows last year’s renewal of an agreement with Rowling, in which led to the announcement of a new film series, Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, as well as a Making of Harry Potter tour stop in London; the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in both the U.S. and Japan; a suite of Harry Potter-licensed digital devices, and products featuring Rowling’s Pottermore initiative. A future Harry Potter stage play is also in the works, set to open in London next year.
Josh Berger, president and managing director for Warner Bros. U.K., Ireland and Spain, will head up the team, working alongside Rowling’s team at The Blair Leadership. Polly Cochrane, based in London, and Paul Condolora, based in Burbank, will also be part of the initiative.
Said Berger, “With Harry Potter’s consumer touch-points continuing to grow and flourish, I am confident that this talented, cross-company global team will enable us to take full advantage of the many opportunities ahead — helping to bring Harry Potter in all its future incarnations to fans all over the world.”
Cochrane’s role will focus on the “optimization of the Harry Potter franchise globally through a cross-divisional marketing lens, upholding the brand’s premium values,” while Suzie Boavida, Xochitl Ruiz, Moira Squier, Angela Kato-Alvarez, Christine Kittelson, Cynthia Gonzalez and Rebecca Muh will head out the rest of the team in Burbank. Fiona Hickey, meanwhile, will correspond from London.
It looks like the magic hasn’t gone out of this franchise just yet. What do you think Are you ready for more Harry Potter
Source: Variety
