Zealous for Zag

Julian Zag discusses what makes his job so fulfilling.

March 28, 2022

ZAG

Zag has worked to shake up the children’s media industry for more than a decade. Launched in 2009 in Paris, the company has planted its feet firmly into the children’s media industry.

Julian Zag, executive vice president, global operations and head, consumer products, ZAG, is one of the main minds behind the success of the company, alongside his brother, Jeremy. Its flagship property, “Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir,” has garnered success since its premiere in 2015. The show is becoming a feature film this year and is already a successful consumer products program.

License Global: Why did ZAG decide to focus on children’s and family entertainment?

Julian Zag: We work in so many countries around the world that are in different stages of development – some are modernized, and some are more traditional. Our goal is to ensure that our products are wherever our consumers shop, whether that’s online or brick-and-mortar. There are three areas that we’re focusing on. We are developing

our presence online, especially on the apparel side of the business where we’ve been beefing up our print-on-demand business. We’ve also been looking at direct-to-consumer brands specifically that have no brick- and-mortar space and we’ve been partnering with some of them through licensees or through direct models. The crux of our business is still multichannel retail. It allows us to cover everything from fashion and accessories to bedding and home products, food, beauty and care.

What is your role at ZAG? What was your career journey to get here?

I’m in charge of further developing our flourishing consumer products business for all of the properties under the ZAG Heroez label – an umbrella brand franchise that brings together all the superheroes from ZAG’s animated properties. I directly oversee the global consumer products team of more than 100 executives around the world across retail, licensing, promotions, digital and gaming, live events and experiences. Before I joined ZAG, I was involved with multiple businesses including retail and QSR through my company.

What makes you passionate about ZAG and its mission?

We are at an exciting expansion point with the huge success of “Miraculous” and have ramped up our team significantly as we move into production on season five of the series and prepare for the launch of our animated feature later this year. We have expanded with new offices in Miami, Florida and Mexico City to serve the Latin American marketplace, and in Tel Aviv, Israel, with the launch of our gaming division.

Want to learn more?

Check out the full article in the February issue here.