DHX Media appointed Eric Ellenbogen as CEO and vice chair of the Board of Directors, effective today.
Ellenbogen succeeds Michael Donovan, who has stepped down as CEO and executive chair on the board. He will continue to serve on the Board as founding chair. Donald Wright was appointed non-executive chair.
“We are delighted to announce that Eric will lead DHX Media in fully realizing the value of our extraordinary media assets,” said Wright. “Eric brings fresh leadership and a clear vision to our Company, as well as a 30-year track record of creating significant shareholder value in the media space. In the nine months since he has joined our Board, while also serving as a strategic advisor, he has worked closely with our senior leadership team and gained a deep understanding of our Company. Given his broad perspective and decades of relevant industry experience and success, we are confident that Eric will be able to move the Company forward from the get-go as CEO. We thank Michael for his many years of leadership and vision. As founder of DHX Media, Michael has played a significant role in building the Company into the global entertainment force it is today. We are pleased that he will remain on the Board.”
“DHX Media has an unmatched portfolio of kids’ and family content with high-profile, beloved characters, including Peanuts, Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake, Caillou, and Inspector Gadget,” said Ellenbogen. “In addition to its library and leading animation studios, DHX Media has built a truly unique asset in WildBrain – one of the largest kids’ networks on YouTube – with unparalleled reach and engagement. I’m pleased to have the opportunity to work with the management team, employees and our many valued partners and customers to deliver leading content and brands for audiences worldwide.”
Ellenbogen has spent more than 30 years running entertainment businesses, including holding senior management roles as president of Broadway Video Entertainment (the TV and film production and distribution company founded by Lorne Michaels); president of Golden Books Family Entertainment; and president and CEO of Marvel Enterprises before its acquisition by Disney.
With the backing of private equity, he co-founded Classic Media in 2000, which became one of the largest private owners of branded kids’ and family entertainment. DreamWorks Animation (DWA) acquires the company in 2012. At DWA, Ellenbogen became co-head of DreamWorks Classics and DreamWorks International Television, and was largely responsible for the company’s entry into the television business. Following DWA’s sale to NBCUniversal, Ellenbogen became co-president of Classic Media, which NBCUniversal restarted as a business unit.
Ellenbogen was a board director of Golden Books and Marvel, then both public companies, and is a trustee of the Public Theater in New York City among other civic involvements. He is a graduate of Harvard College and holds an MBA from UCLA.