EXCLUSIVE: Lionsgate has elevated two executives in its world merchandise and experiences division: Gene Rogers is now SVP of Manufacturing and Operations, World Merchandise and Experiences whereas Jerry Sabatini has been upped to SVP of Model Artistic, World Merchandise and Experiences.
The promotions come as the worldwide merchandise and experiences group continues to develop Lionsgate’s iconic franchises with theme park points of interest, reside exhibits, video video games, client merchandise and extra. The studio not too long ago introduced that it’ll open its fourth Las Vegas attraction later this yr, the John Wick Expertise, in a partnership with immersive leisure district AREA15. As well as, La La Land in Live performance marked its sixth yr of touring worldwide as Lionsgate expands this beloved property, with a Broadway musical adaptation within the works from Emmy and Tony Award-winning producer Marc Platt. Lionsgate additionally has The Starvation Video games stage play within the works in London.
Rogers will proceed to supervise manufacturing and operations for the division, managing initiatives together with video games, location-based leisure, and Net 3, reside stage and immersive experiences. He’s at present prepping the London debut of The Paddington Bear Expertise, a 26K-square-foot immersive expertise which is able to open later this yr. Rogers beforehand labored on Lionsgate’s Motiongate Theme Park in Dubai, Leisure World in Zhuhai, China and The Starvation Video games: The Exhibition in Las Vegas. Most not too long ago, he helped launch two Roblox experiences: Academy Adventures offered by The Starvation Video games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and Noticed X: Survive the Obby, which made Lionsgate the first studio in Roblox to supply a focused age 17+ expertise. Rogers beforehand served as VP of Manufacturing and Operations, World Merchandise and Experiences.
In his new function, Sabatini will proceed to steer model inventive for the group’s myriad initiatives, creating inventive supplies for prime franchise titles and upcoming theatrical characteristic releases. Precedence initiatives embody The Paddington Bear Expertise and franchise asset improvement for Borderlands, scheduled for an August launch. Sabatini beforehand performed an integral function within the launch of Lionsgate’s 4 Las Vegas points of interest, the aforementioned theme parks and the Noticed X-themed haunted homes that launched in a number of Six Flags places throughout the U.S in 2023. He additionally led the event of The Starvation Video games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes merchandise and memorabilia collections with Store the Scenes. Previous to his present function, Sabatini served as VP of Model Artistic, World Merchandise and Experiences.
“Gene and Jerry have performed an integral function within the growth of our group as we proceed to search out new and modern methods to convey Lionsgate’s signature franchises to followers world wide,” mentioned Jenefer Brown, Govt Vice President & Head of World Merchandise and Experiences at Lionsgate. “Gene and Jerry’s creativity, willpower and fervour for our manufacturers have made them property to our staff and I can’t wait to look at them proceed to excel of their new roles.”
Final yr on the world field workplace, Lionsgate posted its first billion-dollar absorb 5 years ($1.05B). The studio continued to increase and develop its potent franchises, releasing three profitable new installments with John Wick: Chapter 4 ($187.1M U.S., $440M WW), The Starvation Video games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes ($322.7M) and Noticed X ($111M WW). The extremely anticipated reboot of The Crow is about for launch this yr on June 7.
