Will Harrison is taking over as CEO of the Coolabi Group following the resignation of Jeremy Banks.
Harrison joins from Seven Dials Media, where he was managing director. He previously served as chief commercial officer for the Harry Potter Franchise Group at Warner Bros. and MD at BritBox UK and Ingenious Media. He will work alongside the rights management company’s chairman, Neil Court, to drive its next phase of growth across publishing, digital, entertainment content and licensing,
“Jeremy is leaving to pursue a new and exciting challenge with our very best wishes for the future and our thanks for a job very well done,” Court said. “Under his tenure, Warrior Cats has been established as the next global kids’ phenomenon through the incredible success of the book series and graphic novels, a Top 100 hit game on Roblox, and with major agreements concluded with Tencent, Retail Monster and Bonkers Toys, amongst others. All this has served to create the substantial and hugely engaged Warrior Cats fandom, which today extends across all relevant social media channels and beyond. I’m also pleased to report that Jeremy has agreed to stay on in an advisory capacity to the Board of Coolabi Group to help with the transition.”
On Harrison’s appointment, Court noted, “I am delighted to welcome Will as our new CEO. We are so pleased to have someone of his calibre leading the company as we enter the next exciting phase of growth. His knowledge of building global brands and fandoms are hugely impressive and a perfect match to his track record of running successful commercial businesses.”
Harrison added: “I have watched the evolution of Coolabi with admiration—it is a unique and exciting business at a compelling point in its story, with fantastic, fan-focused brands. Jeremy has put in place the strong building blocks on which we shall build the next phase, and I am looking forward to working with Neil and the talented team as we enter this new era to further expand the business and continue to build the franchises and fandoms globally.”
Banks said: “We sold Coolabi three years ago, and I have enjoyed immensely the challenge of putting in place a new commercial strategy for the business that embraces the many strengths of this wonderful company while navigating the rapidly changing nature of the kids’ media industry today. I couldn’t have done it without the wonderful team I have been fortunate enough to work alongside over the years or be more proud of what we have achieved. I believe with the key strategic partners we now have in place, Coolabi is set for an incredibly exciting few years ahead.”
