ZAG continues to build its executive leadership team by appointing former Zinkia executive Maria Doolan, who drove the global growth for the hit 'Pocoyo' brand, to the newly created position of vice president, tv content. She reports to Jeremy Zag, founder & chief executive officer, and Julian Zag, executive vice president, global operations and head of global consumer products.
In this new role, Doolan will be responsible for ZAG's global strategy of content distribution across all platforms including television, home entertainment and digital media, for select properties in the ZAG Heroez portfolio—an umbrella brand franchise that brings together the superheroes from ZAG’s animated properties. Her first priority will be focused on the company’s newest IP, “Ghostforce,” which was recently acquired by Disney Channels U.S. and debuted in October 2021 on Disney XD. Doolan will also work in partnership with ON kids & family (Mediawan) for the aspirational brand phenom ”Miraculous- Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir,” as well as all future ZAG properties.
“Maria has an extensive brand management background, spearheading efforts across program distribution and consumer products and is an expert at driving strategy, building brands and adding value,” says Jeremy Zag. “In her new TV Content role, she will work closely with our consumer products executives to craft strategies for TV placement with best-in-class partners around the globe to build strong platforms from where we can launch new TV shows under the ZAG Heroez universe.”
Doolan has over 20 years' experience managing, marketing and selling TV and retail products and properties, spending 17 years with Zinkia Entertainment. During her tenure with the company, she served in several roles, most recently as global head of international TV distribution & co-productions, developing partnerships with multinational players. Prior, she served as executive producer of the Early Learning Collaborative, securing a U.S. Ready-to-Learn (RTL) grant with a local non-profit partner, becoming the first non-U.S. brand to get an RTL grant. 23 educational apps covering English-language learning and math for 3-5 year olds’ were developed. The grant managed a $34 million development and marketing budget and supervised the project launch with complementary school marketing materials produced for nationwide U.S. distribution. In her earliest and most long lasting role as managing director of brand & business development, Doolan was responsible for financing, marketing and managing “Pocoyo” worldwide, defining the brand and product strategy and market positioning; and developing key L&M partnerships.
“I am thrilled with the opportunity to work with Jeremy, Julian and the global team at ZAG to further drive brand growth worldwide,” says Doolan. “This new role will allow me to utilize one of my key strengths which is to transfer big ideas into viable business plans on a global scale, and I am excited to begin diving in on building a global strategy for the content rollout of ‘Ghostforce!’”