WildBrain CPLG has named Jasen Wright to the position of Vice President, North America, to drive the company’s North American efforts and expand the agency’s portfolio of brands in the market. Based in New York, Wright is reporting to WildBrain CPLG EVP and Managing Director, Maarten Weck.
While focusing on WildBrain’s proprietary brands — including Strawberry Shortcake, Caillou, Teletubbies, and Chip & Potato — Wright will also lead local growth of a wider portfolio of WildBrain CPLG brands and grow relationships with existing partners like Square Enix and its arcade gaming IP, Space Invaders.
Wright’s newly created role entails creating new and building on existing partnerships with represented brands — such as Absolut, Malibu, and Harvard and Yale Universities — in order to drive WildBrain CPLG’s lifestyle portfolio in North America.
Wright comes to WildBrain CPLG from Beanstalk, where he was Vice President of Licensing and Brand Management, leading brand licensing for Diageo’s Spirits (Guinness, Bailey’s, Captain Morgan), Taco Bell, at Morton Salt. During his time at Beanstalk, he oversaw extension of brands Stanley Black & Decker, U.S. Army, Ford Motor Company, Harley-Davidson, The Andy Warhol Foundation, and Airheads into numerous categories including home, hardware, home improvement, auto accessories, toys, food and beverage, and confectionary.
Wright also worked at Bravado/Universal Music Group, Authentic Group, and Warner Music Group as Vice President of Licensing to launch brands like Paddington Bear, Rolling Stones, Prince, Wiz Khalifa, Grateful Dead, and Tretorn.
“As we continue extending our global reach and ensuring we have a robust presence in all corners of the world, the appointment of Jasen adds significant firepower to our global operations,” said Weck. “We have big plans for the North American market and with Jasen’s remarkable track record in building top-class consumer products programs, we know he’s the ideal candidate to fuel the growth and success of both WildBrain’s brands and our wider portfolio across the region.”
Director of Business Development Alyssa Gourlay, based in California, will report to Wright.
“WildBrain CPLG has an outstanding reputation for developing robust global licensing programs with best-in-class partners across its impressive and varied line-up of brands,” said Wright. “I’m looking forward to working closely with Maarten, Alyssa and the wider team as we accelerate WildBrain CPLG’s capabilities and open up further opportunities for both new and existing partners worldwide.”