Toy and Media Maker Spin Master Hires Warner Bros. Veteran Maryellen Zarakas as Head of Franchise, Consumer Products (EXCLUSIVE)

Spin Master, the toy company and media operation behind brands like Unicorn Academy and the iconic Rubik’s Cube, has named a new franchise and products lead.

Maryellen Zarakas, a veteran in the space at Warner Bros. and several of its parent owners over the years, joins Spin Master as senior vice president, global consumer products and franchise development. Zarakas will report to Spin Master Entertainment president Jennifer Dodge.

“Maryellen is a dynamic, results-driven senior leader with deep expertise in global business development, franchise and brand building, marketing strategy and retail merchandising for iconic companies and brands,” said Dodge. “With a passion for leveraging the convergence of content, community and commerce, she has a proven track record of fostering growth.”

Zarakas departs Warner Bros. Discovery as manager of a global team, which focused on strategic growth across IP and moving consumer products off shelves. Her portfolio included the worlds of Harry Potter, Looney Toons, Scooby-Doo and elements of Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” series. She’s also held various roles at The Walt Disney Company, working in products and brand management for the studio’s stable of princesses, Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh and characters from “Toy Story.”

At Spin Master, Zarakas will also oversee licensing, retail development and partnerships to grow brands that also include Vida the Vet and Toca Boca.

“During the course of my career, I’ve had many opportunities to work with the Spin Master team and have always been inspired by their commitment to creating properties and brands that engage audiences and inspire imagination,” said Zarakas.

Spin Master is attempting the same kind of level-up Mattel has executed in recent years by focusing on content creation as a dominant revenue stream. In February, the company announced it had hired director Brad Peyton (“Atlas,” “Rampage,” “San Andreas”) to guide a film about the successful anime adventure franchise Bakugan.