WildBrain CPLG has opened a dedicated office in India, promoting Neesha Krishna to lead local strategy as managing director, MENA and South Asia.
Previously commercial director for MENA, Krishna is now responsible for strategically managing and growing WildBrain CPLG’s business across the larger territory. Based in Dubai, Krishna reports to Pau Pascual, who also takes on an expanded role of VP, southern Europe, MENA, and South Asia and managing director for Iberia (previously VP, southern Europe and managing director of Iberia and MENA).
Additionally, Mangesh Hande was appointed to the newly created role of commercial director for India. Reporting to Krishna and based in Mumbai, Hande’s responsibilities include building WildBrain CPLG’s team and driving new business in the market. He joins most recently from Viacom 18 Media, where he was director of consumer products for Kids Cluster, and brings additional previous experience at Benetton and Spykar.
WildBrain CPLG India currently represents entertainment, lifestyle, and sporting properties from the agency’s portfolio — including Yale and Harvard universities, Tetris, Archie Comics, emoji – The Iconic Brand, Juventus Football Club, and Osprey London, plus Authentic Brands Group’s celebrity brands Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, and Muhammad Ali; fashion brands Aéropostale and Nine West; and sports brand Prince Tennis.
The team already signed its first wave of deals in the Indian market, including Trucarekidz for a Yale University apparel line; Reliance for an Archie Comics apparel, back to school, and stationery line; Clovia.com and Myntra as fashion partners for emoji; Alpha Digital Corp for Aeropostale accessories; and Suditi for a Juventus Football club apparel range.
The company’s India branch will also focus on broadening licensing activity to support global strategy for WildBrain’s proprietary brands this year and beyond — including Strawberry Shortcake and the ongoing expansion of the Teletubbies licensing program into the adult market, targeting Gen Z and their kids.