Coolabi Group has named Neil Court as its Chairman. He will work with CEO Jeremy Banks and the Coolabi management team, offering strategic advice as the company continues to grow.
“We have huge ambitions for Coolabi and wanted to bring in someone at board level with a track record of success working as a Chairman within private equity backed businesses such as Coolabi,” says Banks. “Working with and receiving strategic challenge from someone of Neil’s calibre and experience will help amplify and accelerate our growth plans as we continue to enhance the scalability of both the company and our IP.”
Court has worked in media and private equity-backed companies. He was the Executive Chairman of 9 Story Media Group for 10 years until it was sold to Scholastic last year. Court was also the Founder and Executive Chairman of Tin Roof Media and Co-Founder of Decode Entertainment (DHXMedia/WildBrain). He has consulted for The Jim Henson Company and Film Roman. Court will continue to serve as Chairman of Peacock Alley Entertainment.
Coolabi creates, develops, and manages intellectual property rights for brands aimed at children and families. It has created its own IP for working Partners, its book packaging arm; future growth is focused on building those IP into global franchises.
The company is best known for Warrior Cats. The brand has sold more than 77 million books in 38 languages and has been on The New York Times bestseller list for more than 15 years. Coolabi appointed Retail Monster to develop a licensing program in North America. Bonkers Toys will line toy shelves, and Tencent Video will develop programming for TV and film.
“I have followed Coolabi’s progress over the years and was drawn to working with the company’s innovative team. It has a unique way of building franchises and a loyal fan base by going directly to its audience on platforms where its IP is consumed,” says Court. “This model has been built on the foundations of the Group’s profitable book packaging operation. Coolabi is not just a book or a TV-driven business and has already pioneered new ways of working in an ever-changing media climate. I am very excited to be part of this entrepreneurial company through its next stage of growth.”
Other properties include Beast Quest, The Secret Explorers, and The Lady Grace Mysteries, all of which are licensed for development in toys and media.
