Marvel Entertainment Welcomes Theo Paphitis to International Advisory Board
July 20 2009 - 7:00AM
Business Wire
Marvel Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: MVL), a global character-based
entertainment and licensing company celebrating the 70th
anniversary of its founding in 1939, announced today the addition
of Theo Paphitis to the company�s International Advisory Board.
Comprised of business leaders from key international growth
markets, the Advisory Board works with Marvel executives to explore
opportunities for expanding the presence of the Marvel brand and
key character franchises in international markets.
Mr. Paphitis is one of the UK�s most high profile businessmen.
His empire spans retail, property, finance and consumer goods. The
Cyprus-born entrepreneur has become a household name thanks to the
hugely popular BBC Two series Dragons� Den, entering its seventh
season, in which would-be entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to
investors.
Simon Philips, President, Worldwide Consumer Products for Marvel
Entertainment, who serves as the primary company liaison to the
Advisory Board, commented, �We are honored to have Theo join the
International Advisory Board. He is a tremendously distinguished
business leader whose depth of experience and insight into the
constantly evolving retail landscape in the UK and on a global
level will help further our commitment to generate growth from
international markets. Along with the other esteemed members of the
Advisory Board, Theo will be instrumental in helping strengthen our
international business focus and enable us to further maximize the
potential of the Marvel brand on a global level.�
Theo Paphitis said, �I�ve always said that business should be
fun and joining the advisory board of Marvel is certainly that. I
will, however, be contributing my opinions to a seriously
successful business. Having loved the comics, films and
merchandise, I now find myself sharing them with my children and
grandchildren. Although the company is 70 years old, it is in its
infancy in most markets outside the USA and UK and I�m looking
forward to helping develop positive results in new
territories.�
Mr. Paphitis made his name as a leading entrepreneur by
acquiring and reviving notable retail brands - including Ryman the
Stationer, Contessa and La Senza lingerie chains in the UK,
Partners the Stationers and Stationery Box - turning them into
profitable businesses. Theo combined the stationery businesses
under the Ryman Group, where he is now Chairman. He sold his
interest in La Senza and Contessa in 2006 and now retains a
minority shareholding.
Additionally, Mr. Paphitis served as Chairman of the Millwall
Football Club for eight years, taking the club out of financial
administration, and into the Championship and to the FA Cup Final
versus Manchester United and into Europe.
In 2005 he acquired Red Letter Days, the UK�s leading gift
experience company, in partnership with fellow Dragon Peter
Jones.
Earlier this year, he was appointed patron for Skillsmart
Retail, the Sector Skills Council for Retail, which is committed to
driving up skills levels in the industry. His special areas of
responsibility are as the Retail Apprentices� Champion and for the
new National Skills Academy for Retail.
Marvel�s International Advisory Board is chaired by James F.
Halpin, a Marvel director since March 1995, and is also comprised
of Peter Yip, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the CDC
Corporation, and Bollywood film producer, Manmohan Shetty, former
chairman of Adlabs Films Limited. Mr. Yip and Mr. Shetty represent
China and India, respectively on the Board. Marvel is in the
process of filling one additional Advisory Board position.
About Marvel Entertainment:
Marvel Entertainment, Inc. is one of the world's most prominent
character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library
of over 5,000 characters featured in a variety of media over
seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in
licensing, entertainment (via Marvel Studios and Marvel Animation)
and publishing (via Marvel Comics). Marvel's strategy is to
leverage its franchises in a growing array of opportunities around
the world, including feature films, consumer products, toys, video
games, animated television, direct-to-DVD and online. For more
information visit www.marvel.com.
Except for any historical information that they contain, the
statements in this news release regarding Marvel�s plans are
forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and
uncertainties, including exposure to the current economic
recession, exposure to tightening credit markets, financial
difficulties of Marvel�s licensees, a decrease in the level of
media exposure or popularity of Marvel�s characters, changing
consumer preferences, delays and cancellations of movies and
television productions based on Marvel characters, and
concentration of Marvel�s toy licensing with one licensee.
These and other risks and uncertainties are described in
Marvel�s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including Marvel�s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports
on Form�10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Marvel assumes no
obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements.
TM & � 2009 Marvel Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
All rights reserved.
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