Saban Brands has launched a new Global Consumer Products division, merging its domestic and international licensing and merchandising teams into a cohesive unit. The department is led by Kirk Bloomgarden, who serves as senior vice president of global consumer products. The new division focuses on the global expansion of licensing programs for all Saban Brands properties and for driving the strategic consumer product plans with licensees, retailers, broadcasters, and agencies worldwide.

In his new role, Bloomgarden focuses on growing Saban Brands’ licensing and merchandising business globally across the company’s portfolio of brands. Nina Leong moves into a new role as senior vice president, strategic business development for Saban Brands, and will spearhead efforts to expand and broaden the Saban Brands portfolio, as well as strategically grow current properties. Leong focuses on searching for new brands, particularly in the lifestyle and fashion space. Mary Rafferty and Dan Wilson also have taken on new, global roles—their titles are vice president of global consumer products and vice president of global retail, respectively.

In addition, Brian Maeda has joined the team as vice president of licensing, and will focus on helping to grow Saban Brands’ business in Asia, with a focus on toys and video games. Maeda brings 20 years of experience in collaborating with Asian companies and working across publishing, film/TV acquisition, online content distribution, licensing and merchandising, third-party promotions, and video games. He most recently was a third-party account manager at Xbox and also built the licensing and merchandising program for the Halo video game franchise.

In addition to the global team based in the U.S., Saban Brands plans to open new offices in London, England, and Shanghai, China later this year.