Jonathan Symington, former Vice President and General Manager of Global Entertainment Licensing at Disney Consumer Products has launched THE LANTIC GROUP a business consultancy specialized in building brands through product launches, licensing strategies, and international expansion.
Based in LA with a network in the UK, France, Sweden and China, the LANTIC group offers unique global solutions by converging the tech, entertainment, and consumer products sectors. With over 25 years’ experience in consumer products marketing, media entertainment and brand licensing in Europe, Asia and the Americas, LANTIC provides specific category expertise in FMCG, technology, consumer electronics, toys, fashion, publishing, movie and tv studio content promotion.
Prior to creating THE LANTIC GROUP, Symington spent over 15 years in key positions at Disney Consumer Products and Disney Publishing Worldwide, in Paris, Beijing, New York and Los Angeles. During his illustrious and varied tenure at Disney he oversaw the global operations for book retail, book licensing, global licensing, live action studio licensing, and global entertainment Licensing.
Whilst leading the global licensing team at Disney Publishing and Sales, and marketing for the Disney Book Group, Jonathan led the launch of successful physical and digital Disney-branded publishing programs like Disney Fairies, Never Girls, Disney Cars, and Princesses, as well as the acquisition of new books by leading authors such as Rick Riordan and Eoin Colfer.
Additionally, Symington was responsible for planning and executing consumer product strategies for evergreen brands such as The Muppets and Nightmare Before Christmas; event properties including Cinderella, Pirates of the Caribbean and Alice through the Looking glass; and game-based brands such as Kingdom Hearts and Disney Infinity.
Jonathan Symington, CEO and Founder of THE LANTIC GROUP, commented, “With the launch of The Lantic Group we are excited to help our clients grow their brands through licensing, product launches or international expansion. As the rate of innovation and disruption accelerates in the retail and consumer products space, we are here to enable brands to meet their growth challenges.”
Symington will represent various clients at Bologna Children’s Book Fair, London Book Fair, Book Expo America, and Licensing International Expo including DEER LITTLE FOREST, a high-end arts & lifestyle brand created by Jo Rose. LANTIC is the latest agent to join DEER LITTLE FOREST’s international network in 25 countries, and will focus on establishing publishing as the first brand-building pillar of the property.
THE LANTIC GROUP is also working with leading global publisher PANINI to develop their promotional and customer loyalty programs with leading FMCG brands and retailers across the US. PANINI are licensees for their collectable product categories for some of the world’s top franchises including; FIFA World Cup, NBA, NFL, Nascar, Disney, Warner Brothers, and National Geographic to name but a few.
