Former Disney, Marvel and Moonbug exec assumes leadership role to bolster Falcon’s Beyond’s innovation in entertainment.
Simon Philips, centre, was most recently managing director, Global Consumer Products at Moonbug Entertainment
Falcon’s Beyond, a fully integrated global entertainment development company specialising in intellectual property (IP) creation and expansion, has named accomplished entertainment industry executive Simon Philips as president, a newly created position for the company.
Simon, whose approach to brand building has helped shape the strategic direction of some of the world’s most iconic franchises – including Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel, CoComelon, Pokémon, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Yu-Gi-Oh – previously served as senior advisor to the Falcon’s Beyond Board.
Most recently, Simon was managing director, Global Consumer Products at Moonbug Entertainment, the company behind properties including CoComelon, Blippi and Little Angel. He brings significant experience that will help drive the entertainment and consumer product synergies at Falcon’s. He has relocated to Falcon’s headquarters in Orlando and reports directly to CEO Cecil D. Magpuri.
As president, Simon will oversee the future growth and expansion of entertainment-based business and development of the company’s IPs. This will include developing and implementing comprehensive corporate strategies for future growth across all commercial operations of the company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Leveraging his deep industry expertise and relationships, he will also focus on strategically building the infrastructure of new consumer products and entertainment content.
“When I became senior advisor to the board last year, I commented that Falcon’s Beyond is playing in a vast sandbox,” said Simon. “Since last year, I have been so impressed with the company’s mark on the industry. This is a terrific time to join the team for what we expect to be explosive growth in the industry. I appreciate the opportunity to bring more than 30 years of experience and insight to Falcon’s and am thrilled about the abundant opportunities we will pursue together.”
“Simon’s reputation and acclaim in entertainment has been truly inspirational for me and the greater Falcon’s team.” said Cecil. “His visionary cross-channel approach to brand expansion will further strengthen our own IP Expander flywheel. We feel incredibly fortunate to have found someone of Simon’s calibre, whose values are so perfectly aligned with Falcon’s culture.”
Among his many accomplishments, Philips previously served as president of Marvel Entertainment International, where he was a member of the leadership team that helped build Marvel into an internationally renowned brand and pave 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 brands from across the Disney, Star Wars, Pixar and Marvel portfolio through licensing generated more than $16b in annual sales.
