Maryellen is a dynamic, results-driven senior leader with expertise in global business development, franchise and brand building, marketing strategy and retail merchandising for iconic, Fortune 500 brands.
Maryellen’s passion lies in leveraging the convergence of content, community and commerce to foster the growth of brands and franchises, driving exponential business expansion. She recently joined Spin Master as Senior Vice President, Global Consumer Products and Franchise Development, overseeing licensing, retail development, partnerships and franchise strategy to grow brands such as Unicorn Academy, Vida the Vet, Toca Boca, the iconic Rubik’s Cube and more. Prior to Spin Master, she served as the Senior Vice President of Franchise Development at Warner Bros. Discovery, where she created a new global team to spearhead strategic direction to grow WBD’s premier brand and franchises.
Extensive experience within Consumer Products is where Maryellen dedicated a substantial portion of her two-decade career at WB. Leading Franchise Management and Worldwide Marketing at Warner Bros. Consumer Products, she focused on identifying, prioritizing and activating revenue streams for the broad WB Film and TV portfolio, from DC Comics to Harry Potter, Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo, Friends, The Wizard of Oz, The Lord of the Rings, and much more. In this role, Maryellen drove strategic franchise planning and execution of multiplatform programs, driving 365 marketing campaigns, maximizing consumer engagement, promoting brand loyalty and driving purchase.
Prior to WB, Maryellen honed her expertise at The Walt Disney Company. During a distinguished ten-year run, she held various roles within Consumer Products category management and brand marketing across Disney’s portfolio featuring Disney Princess, Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Toy Story and more. Maryellen left Disney as Vice President, Global Toys and was responsible for North America Retail Business Development and Global Licensing, Toys: Girls, Infant and Preschool. Early in her career, Maryellen served as a retail buyer for Bloomingdale’s, focusing on a variety of menswear product categories.
Maryellen earned her Master’s Degree with a focus on marketing and management from Columbia University Business School, having previously received a Bachelor’s Degree in Science from the Fashion Institute of Technology. She also serves on the Executive Board and Board of Directors for A Place Called Home, a non-profit in South Central Los Angeles with a mission to empower and uplift the lives of at-risk youth.
Featured in: Kidscreen Licensing Challenge
