LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Saban Brands today announced that the company has named Janet Hsu as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective August 17. Hsu currently serves as President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Sanrio Inc., the global lifestyle brand best known for pop icon Hello Kitty. As Saban Brands’ first CEO, Hsu will be responsible for overseeing the company’s portfolio of global entertainment and lifestyle properties, as well as being instrumental in acquiring additional brands and building new intellectual properties.
Hsu will be joining Saban Brands as the company continues to grow across its two business units, Saban Brands Entertainment Group and Saban Brands Lifestyle Group. Saban Brands Entertainment Group (SBEG) currently includes powerhouse brands Saban’s Power Rangers, Popples, Cirque du Soleil—Luna Petunia, La Banda, Emojiville, Julius Jr. and many others in development. SBEG is dedicated to developing innovative content that resonates with consumers across all media platforms. Additionally, Saban Brands Lifestyle Group (SBLG) is dedicated to growing its portfolio in the consumer, fashion and lifestyle space. SBLG brands currently include Paul Frank, Macbeth, Mambo and Piping Hot.
“Janet is a visionary leader with a strong track record for driving global business expansion and leading innovative strategies,” said Adam Chesnoff, President and Chief Operating Officer of Saban Capital Group, to whom Hsu will report. “Janet has been responsible for some of the world’s largest and most successful brands. Her extensive and diverse background across licensing, merchandising and retail has led to many major accomplishments. We look forward to working closely with her at Saban Brands to continue to grow the company and its expanding portfolio of brands.”
In her role as President and COO of Sanrio Inc., Hsu has achieved unprecedented success in growing Sanrio across multiple channels and strategically reinvigorating the company’s direction. Hsu helped transform and modernize Sanrio with innovative marketing strategies. She also led the company’s expansion and diversification of new retail, licensing, and entertainment partnerships.
About Saban Brands
Formed in 2010 as an affiliate of Saban Capital Group, Saban Brands (SB) acquires and develops a world-class portfolio of properties in the entertainment and lifestyle sectors. SB applies a global 360-degree management approach to growing and monetizing its brands through content, media, marketing, distribution, licensing and retail to markets worldwide and consumers of all ages. Saban Brands Entertainment Group (SBEG) develops innovative branded content that resonates with consumers across all media platforms. SBEG’s growing entertainment portfolio of brands includes Power Rangers, Julius Jr., Popples, Cirque du Soleil – Luna Petunia, La Banda, Emojiville and others in development. Saban Brands Lifestyle Group (SBLG) drives major expansion within the company’s diverse portfolio of fashion and lifestyle properties. SBLG’s portfolio currently includes Paul Frank, Macbeth, Mambo and Piping Hot. SB operates a global network of offices in Los Angeles, New York, London and Sydney. For more information, visit www.sabanbrands.com.
