So that's where he was headed. Less than a week after leaving TV Guide Network for an "unspecified" new position [1], Ryan O'Hara was unveiled as the new head of The Topps Company on Monday.
O'Hara will be the president and chief executive officer of the sports cards and confectionery maker starting on March 1.
“Ryan is an outstanding leader with a strong track record in media, sports, entertainment and confections,” Michael D. Eisner, chairman of Topps, who purchased the company with Madison Dearborn Partners in 2007, said in a statement. “That unique combination will help him drive growth in media and with interactive initiatives as well as continue to strengthen Topps’ core businesses. Ryan’s appointment will help Topps capture a greater share of consumers’ leisure time.”
“I am thrilled to take on this new role,” said O’Hara. “The ability to work with Michael Eisner and Madison Dearborn Partners on the evolution of Topps makes this an incredibly exciting opportunity. No brand had more of an impact on me when I was a kid than Topps, and I look forward to working with the entire Topps team to strengthen and grow this iconic company.”
O’Hara spent five years with TV Guide, but left less than nine months after Lionsgate acquired the company with a group of equity partners. His departure was the most high profile in a series of executive changes since the low profile network was purchased. [2]
Less than a week after leaving TV Guide, will oversee trading card and confectionery company