Universal Brand Development has appointed two executives to its leadership team, the company announced Tuesday.
Universal Pictures’ former SVP of strategic planning, Ben Braun, will join the brand development team as chief financial officer, where he will be responsible for managing the financial planning and analytics team as well as serve as controller for the division.
Before joining Universal, Braun was head of business and corporate development for DreamWorks Animation. He also spent nine years as an investment banker at Morgan Stanley where he most recently served as executive director. He will transition into his new role in November.
Current SVP of finance and strategic planning, Santiago Capdepont, has been named to the newly created role of SVP, head of operations for brand development. There, he will oversee daily operations, systems and processes of the global business. They will both report to Universal Brand Development’s president, Vince Klaseus.
Capdepont joined Universal Brand Development in 2015. Prior to joining Universal, he held numerous roles at The Walt Disney Company, including chief financial officer of Disney Stores globally.
“The continued growth of our organization, which includes new businesses, departments and international offices gives us the opportunity to broaden our leadership bench by adding expertise and depth to our senior team,” said Klaseus. “Ben joining our team allows us to strengthen our financial analytic capabilities and provide data-driving analysis of our business on a global scale, and Santi’s wide-ranging consumer products background will help us continue to build the international organization worldwide.”
Universal Brand Development is in charge of driving expansion of the company’s IP, franchises, characters and stories through physical and digital products, content and consumer experiences.