Licensing for OAK9 Entertainment
Ann Buckingham, Maria Ancieta-Risher to Lead Licensing for OAK9 Entertainment
Buckingham and Ancieta-Risher bring decades of experience in licensing, brand partnerships and consumer product development. They will oversee licensing efforts across multiple categories, including publishing, toys and games, food and beverage, stationery, apparel and location-based entertainment.
Buckingham previously served as global senior vice president of consumer products at The Walt Disney Company, where she led global initiatives and launched major product lines. Her career also includes leadership roles at 20th Century Fox as global senior vice president of creative and product development and at DreamWorks Animation as global senior vice president of consumer products and publishing.
Ancieta-Risher has held leadership positions at both NBCUniversal and Disney. At NBCUniversal, she served as vice president of consumer products, driving growth for "Gabby’s Dollhouse," "Jurassic World" and "Minions" franchises. She also built NBCUniversal’s Latin America licensing division and previously led the relaunch of Disney Baby.
The two executives are also founding partners of The Licensing Insiders, a collective of consumer product and senior brand-building experts advising all consumer segments, from entertainment studios, gaming, fashion and lifestyle brands to publishing, sports, collegiate and corporate.
“Ann and Maria’s expertise in the licensing space is truly unrivaled,” says Mindaugas Jokubaitis, producer, OAK9 Entertainment. “Their strategic foresight, combined with a proven track record of growing licensing divisions and securing global brand partnerships, will be invaluable as we continue to grow 'Stomp! Stomp! Rhinos!' into a leading franchise in children’s media."
"Stomp! Stomp! Rhinos!" is an edutainment preschool series that follows three rhino siblings – Noah, Ela, and Ron – as they navigate emotional challenges and develop problem-solving skills. The show integrates entertainment with lessons in emotional wellness for young audiences.
“By combining entertainment and emotional wellness, OAK9 Entertainment is truly taking a unique approach to children’s entertainment,” says Buckingham and Ancieta-Risher in a joint statement. “With excitement already building for the global launch of 'Stomp! Stomp! Rhinos!,' we are looking forward to advising, leading, and delivering a well-rounded consumer licensing experience around this special property.”
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