Genius Brands hires Disney alum to head up further M&As

US-based kids content company Genius Brands International has hired Zrinka Dekic as its new chief financial officer, as well as its head of strategy and mergers and acquisitions.

The appointment comes following Genius Brand’s recent acquisitions of both Canada’s WOW! Unlimited Media and Germany’s Your Family Entertainment as the company continues its global expansion.

Dekic arrives at Genius Brands with nearly 20 years of entertainment industry and financial markets experience, including corporate strategy, investment banking, investment management and corporate finance at The Walt Disney Company, and before that, Goldman Sachs.

At Disney, she held posts in corporate strategy, strategic planning and business development, where she was involved in a number of projects and strategic initiatives for the company.

Prior to joining Disney, Dekic served as VP in the investment management division at Goldman Sachs in New York, on the U.S. Fundamental Equity Portfolio Management team overseeing nearly $30 billion of assets under management.

Most recently, she served as VP of Houlihan Lokey’s Investment Banking Technology, Media & Telecom (TMT) Group, where she was responsible for business development and execution across the sector, including media and entertainment, digital media, streaming technologies, animation and video games.

“Zrinka brings a proven track record in M&A, which will continue to be an important component of our strategy as we execute on our vision of becoming one of the world’s leading global children’s entertainment companies,” revealed Andy Heyward, chairman & CEO of Genius Brands.

“In support of this goal, she brings extensive relationships across Wall Street and the entertainment industry, spanning animation, media and entertainment, sports, and consumer product companies across North America and globally.”