Peanuts Worldwide has appointed the consumer products and brand executive, Tim Erickson as its Executive Vice President of Brand, Peanuts Worldwide, a role in which he will oversee the team managing the brand’s global licensing business.
Working alongside the family of Peanuts creator, Charles M. Schulz as well as WildBrain’s content and management teams and the brand’s co-owners, Sony Music Entertainment (Japan), Erickson will help sustain a global licensing approach that remains true to the heritage of the Peanuts brand.
Within his remit, Erickson will over the opening of new licensing, partnership, and retail opportunities, as well as support brand marketing and leverage new content launches. The plan is to expand the global presence of the Peanuts brand as it approaches its 75th anniversary in 2025.
Based in New York, Erickson reports to Eric Ellenbogen, CEO of WildBrain, the majority owner of Peanuts.
Ellenbogen said: “I’m delighted that Tim has joined the team at this important moment for the Peanuts brand. The response to our original series The Snoopy Show and Snoopy in Space on Apple TV+ and to our ‘Take Care With Peanuts’ initiative has been nothing short of fantastic.
“With lots more new content rolling out worldwide in the coming years in partnership with Apple TV+, the Peanuts gang has never been more popular. Working in tandem with our Peanuts content team, Tim will bring a breadth of experience at the intersection of family entertainment and consumer products that makes him the ideal person to lead the evergreen Peanuts licensing business.”
Erickson brings more than 20 years’ experience in consumer products and brand building to the role, having worked for global leaders in the space including Twentieth Century Fox, DreamWorks, Disney, and LEGO. He most recently held the position of Chief Operating Officer at the media company GoldieBlox, creating innovative STEM-focused brand experiences for girls through consumer products, retail and storytelling, as well as overseeing the company’s business development and operations.
Erickson said: “As a lifelong Peanuts fan, I’m elated to join Peanuts Worldwide. I’ve long admired Charles Schulz’s storytelling, both personally and professionally, so I look forward to engaging with the team and our partners to continue telling meaningful Peanuts stories through content, products and experiences that will engage fans for generations to come. I’m so excited about the opportunity to connect the Peanuts content pipeline with fan engagement around the world.”
