On the heels of last week’s announcement of Lionsgate’s first outdoor branded theme park at Jeju Island, Korea, Kerry Phelan has been promoted to President of Global Franchise Management, it was announced by Lionsgate Chief Brand Officer and President of Worldwide Marketing Tim Palen, to whom she reports.
Since joining Lionsgate three years ago, Ms. Phelan has helped leverage Lionsgate’s large and diversified portfolio of film and television properties across multiple platforms and created significant new incremental business for the studio. Under her direction and the oversight of Mr. Palen, the newly-formed Franchise Management Group has created brand extensions spanning location-based and live entertainment venues, consumer products, licensed merchandise, brand partnerships and an array of promotional ventures.
Under her leadership, Lionsgate has enhanced its global brand by launching location-based entertainment initiatives worldwide that feature premium consumer experiences built around blockbuster film properties including The Hunger Games, Twilight and Now You See Me. Recently-announced projects include the Lionsgate Movie World outdoor theme park in Korea, the state-of-the-art Lionsgate Entertainment World indoor theme park currently under development in China, and multiple, smaller indoor Lionsgate Entertainment City centers planned for high-traffic consumer destinations in the U.S. and Europe.
In addition, Lionsgate recently launched a 125-city “La La Land in Concert” world tour, inspired by its multiple Academy Award® winning blockbuster film. The tour debuted to rave reviews at the Hollywood Bowl in May.
“Kerry Phelan is an astute strategist and brand builder who understands how to extend the life of our film and television properties by attracting partners and engaging fans around the world,” said Mr. Palen. “Her promotion reflects not only her vision and leadership but the continued rapid growth of our tremendous portfolio of IP and the Company’s commitment to both.”
Ms. Phelan’s team has partnered with best-in-class companies including Hasbro, Funko and BioWorld for the licensing and merchandising of products based on Lionsgate’s brands, ranging from toys and apparel to costumes and collectibles. They have also worked with major global brands including GapKids, Kellogg’s and Samsung on promotional activations to supplement the reach of Lionsgate’s marketing campaigns and drive box office.
Prior to joining Lionsgate, Ms. Phelan was head of consumer products and licensing for DreamWorks Animation for seven years. She also worked at Pixar overseeing the consumer products & marketing partnership business during the launch of Pixar’s blockbuster franchise Cars.
Her first job in entertainment was at Lucasfilm Ltd., where she led the global consumer products & promotional licensing business for the Star Wars brand. She started her career at LEGO Systems Inc. as a brand marketer and ultimately became a senior member of their brand marketing group.
LIONSGATE’S KOREA PARK
Landing Jeju Development Co., Ltd. (LJDC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Landing International Development Limited and the developer and operator of Jeju Shinhwa World, and Lionsgate have announced plans to develop Lionsgate Movie World at Jeju Shinhwa World, Korea. Lionsgate Movie World, spanning approximately 1.3 million square feet (approximately 122,000 square meters) and centered around multiple renowned Lionsgate film properties, is Lionsgate’s first branded outdoor theme park and the latest milestone in the continued ramp up of Lionsgate’s location-based entertainment business around the world.
In addition to being Korea’s first international theme park, Lionsgate Movie World at Jeju Shinhwa World will be the first outdoor theme park built exclusively around world-famous movies. It is also the largest destination attraction to date in Lionsgate’s growing international network of branded theme parks, entertainment centers and other attractions in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The project will be developed into seven movie zones, each themed around blockbuster Lionsgate properties which have collectively grossed nearly $9 billion at the global box office. These include The Hunger Games, The Twilight Saga and Now You See Me as well as the eagerly-anticipated March 2018release Robin Hood.
Visitors can experience actual movie scenes through state-of-the-art rides, attractions and 4D Intellectual Property (IP) reproduced streets and towns. Each zone will also feature themed restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops and entertainment performances. Lionsgate Movie World at Jeju Shinhwa World is expected to commence construction in 2018 and is scheduled to open in 2019.
Mr. Yang Zhihui, Chairman and Executive Director of Landing International Development Limited, said, “It is our great honour to have Lionsgate as our partner. We are very excited to have the first Lionsgate Movie World at Jeju Shinhwa World bringing Hollywood movies and their immersive environments to our theme park to deliver a premium guest experience. With Lionsgate’s success in the content creation industry, we strongly believe that Lionsgate Movie World at Jeju Shinhwa World will enhance our offerings and further strengthen Jeju Shinhwa World’s market position as a desired tourist destination in Jeju.”
“We’re pleased to partner with our friends at Landing International, one of Asia’s premier developers, on our first branded outdoor theme park and one of our largest and most exciting location-based entertainment destinations,” said Lionsgate Chief Executive Officer Jon Feltheimer. “Our partners are creating a world-class resort that will be the perfect home for our theme park. Under the leadership of Tim Palen, Kerry Phelan and Jenefer Brown, and driven by a valuable portfolio of intellectual property, we have built a global location-based entertainment business in just three short years, and Lionsgate Movie World promises to become one of its crown jewels.”
Lionsgate Movie World will be the centerpiece of Jeju Shinhwa World, one of Korea’s most dynamic integrated resorts spanning an area of approximately 2.5 million square meters (over 20 million square feet). Opening progressively from earlier this year, Jeju Shinhwa World offers premium guest experience in world class resort facilities including Four Seasons, Marriott and Somerset hotels, upscale resort condominiums and villas, high end retail for international and K-fashion brands. The integrated development will also feature an array of leisure and entertainment options including a waterpark, theme parks, a destination spa, an international style casino and a K-pop entertainment center.
Launched at the beginning of 2017, Jeju Shinhwa World is opening in phases and will be one of Korea’s most exciting and prestigious world-class integrated leisure and entertainment resorts. More details are available on Jeju Shinhwa World’s website (https://www.shinhwaworld.com/).
