DreamWorks Appoints Chief Global Brand Officer

DreamWorks Animation SKG (Nasdaq: DWA) today announced that Michael Francis has been named to the newly created position of Chief Global Brand Officer.

In this capacity, Francis (pictured above) will be responsible for DreamWorks Animation‘s worldwide branding initiatives, including the branding of all of the intellectual property associated with the studio.

He will also be responsible for the company’s licensing and consumer products efforts as well as franchise management activities.

This appointment signals a singular new focus for DreamWorks Animation: to leverage the strength of its brand equity around the globe, the company said.

Its branded family entertainment portfolio features the franchise properties of Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon and Puss in Boots in addition to the extensive collection of DreamWorks Classics titles, including Casper the Friendly Ghost, Where’s Waldo?, Lassie, George of the Jungle and the Christmas Classic titles of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.

“We have custom-created this vital new role specifically for Michael so that he can work toward developing our business on a global scale by leveraging both the overall DreamWorks Animation brand in addition to our growing collection of high-quality family entertainment properties,” commented CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg and COO Ann Daly in a joint statement.

“I am tremendously excited to join the DreamWorks Animation team,” said Francis.

Francis will begin at DreamWorks Animation immediately on a part-time basis and will assume his new role full-time in February 2013.

In Francis’ career in branding and marketing, he has served as Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Farview Associates, LLC, a global brand agency, President of J.C. Penney, and over 26 years with the Target Corporation, where he ultimately held the title of Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer.