Global independent animation studio, ZAG, has appointed former MGA Entertainment and Warner Bros. executive, Carlotta Caracciolo, as its first vice president, Middle East and Africa, to oversee the company’s consumer products strategy in the region. The appointment was announced by Julian Zag, senior vice president, global operations and consumer products head, to whom Caracciolo reports.  

In her new role at ZAG, Caracciolo, who will be based in Dubai and focus on building a consumer products program for the Middle East and Africa for properties in the ZAG Heroez portfolio, with an initial focus on “Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir” and the company’s newest series, “Ghostforce.”   

“The Middle East and Africa have become a top priority for ZAG, and the Disney/MBC combination is a perfect duo for us to reach children and families across the region,” says Julian Zag. “’Miraculous’ is garnering strong ratings, particularly in Saudi Arabia, where the series ranked in the #1 slot on MBC, following its launch in 2018, and has remained among the top programs ever since. Carlotta will lead our market expansion in the region and drive the development of licensing partners for our portfolio of brands.”  

For the past three years, Caracciolo served as sales and licensing head, Middle East and Africa, MGA Entertainment, where she was instrumental in launching the licensing and toy program for L.O.L. Surprise! across the region. Prior, she was a category manager at the licensing agency Shooting Stars, where she managed and developed softlines accounts for clients, including Warner Bros. and NBC Universal. She started her entertainment career with Warner Bros. in Italy in 2011 as marketing and retail assistant.  

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with ZAG, and I look forward to growing the licensing and toy footprint in MEA Region, bringing new and exciting collaborations across multiple categories for consumers to experience the brand,” says Caracciolo.