Pophouse Reinforces its Senior Team

Pophouse Entertainment Group, known for its development of brand-building music enterprises including ABBA Voyage and the forthcoming KISS avatar show, has announced six new senior hires.

Linda Höljö joins as chief operating officer; Sophie Arendt appointed managing director, “Mamma Mia! The Party;” Natalia Fontecha named head, capital raising and investor relations; Sophie McKibbin joins business affairs team; Jon Spalding announced as commercial director and Ryan Amstad appointed head, new production development.

“Our work fundamentally redefines entertainment and how artistic legacy is enshrined for future generations,” says Per Sundin, chief executive officer, Pophouse. “Therefore, it’s essential that Pophouse has the best people on our team. Each of our new colleagues brings the unique experience and mindset needed to achieve our mission statement – to unlock the power of entertainment.”

“Pophouse’s position within the global entertainment industry makes this a superb time to join,” says Höljö. “In recent years the company has announced a string of deals and plans which I’m looking forward to bringing to fruition, alongside developing Pophouse’s next set of exciting ambitions for the entertainment industry.”

Höljö has extensive experience in finance, strategic planning and business development, and her skillset will contribute to the company building entertainment brands and creating content and experiences.

“I am honored to take on the role of managing director at ‘Mamma Mia! The Party,’” says Arendt. “The show concept has always been about creating unforgettable moments and bringing joy to people’s lives. I look forward to fully embracing the legacy of this incredible experience, pushing the boundaries of immersive entertainment and ensuring that ‘Mamma Mia! The Party’ continues touching the hearts of audiences around the world.”

Arendt was formerly general manager, Disney Theatrical Group and has a proven track record of implementing and building high-performing entertainment initiatives.

“I’ve been a fan of Pophouse for some time and it’s an absolute joy to now work with their array of talent and artists,” says Spalding. “As Pophouse revolutionizes entertainment, we have a tremendous run of exciting news in the pipeline that will further cement our position as a pioneer in our field.”

Sparling’s most recent role was head, U.K. consumer products and hardlines EMEA, Mattel, where he oversaw programs for the movie, “Barbie.”