Thinkwell Group Appoints Former Franco Dragone Executive François Girard To SVP Global Business Development

Growth in Asia, Middle East and U.S. Results in Largest Growth of Company History
BURBANK, CALIF. (Jan. 5, 2015) — Thinkwell Group, a worldwide experience design and production agency specializing in the creation of theme parks, major attractions, events, museums, exhibits, expos and brand experiences around the world, announced today the appointment of François Girard to senior vice president of global business development. Girard joins Thinkwell after serving as senior vice president of development and strategy for Belgium-based Dragone founded by renowned theatre creator/director Franco Dragone. Prior to Dragone, Girard worked as a professional consultant to Fortune 500 companies in the corporate strategy practice of Deloitte Consulting in Canada.
“As part of the overall growth strategy for the company, François Girard brings immeasurable expertise in location-based experience and entertainment projects worldwide,” said Joe Zenas, Chief Executive Officer of Thinkwell.
At Dragone, François served on the company’s executive committee and led the development and negotiation of more than €250 million in show productions value in the Americas, Asia, Middle East and Europe. Selected projects include: Le Rève at Wynn Las Vegas, House of Dancing Water and Taboo at City of Dreams in Macau, Lido in Paris, Han Show in Wuhan, Story of a Fort at Qasr Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi and the 2014 FIFA World Cup Opening and Closing Ceremonies in Brazil.
François Girard will bring his business acumen to the development of major new projects for Thinkwell Group, working with the company’s offices in the Middle East and China.
“I am truly excited and honored to join Thinkwell, an established leader in experience design with an impressive spectrum of capabilities, a dynamic creative energy and a positive culture of collaboration. I have the chance to join a company built on strong foundations with a long list of prestigious clients and projects all around the globe,” said François Girard on his appointment.
Thinkwell also announced today the hiring of the company’s 200th employee, a significant achievement for the independent experience design and production company. “We’re fortunate to have experienced such substantial growth and stability with new projects in the museum, zoo, theme park, and corporate branding center sectors,” said François Bergeron, Thinkwell Chief Operating Officer. “With the opening of our business entity and office in Beijing, the promotion of Kelly Ryner to president of Thinkwell Asia, and our operations in the United Arab Emirates, we are expanding and investing in Thinkwell’s future in a major way.”
About Thinkwell Group
Founded in 2001, Thinkwell is a worldwide experience design and production agency specializing in the creation and master planning of theme parks, destination resorts, major branded and intellectual property attractions, events & spectaculars, museums & exhibits, expos and live shows around the world. The award-winning company has become a leader in experiential design by bringing a unique holistic approach to every creative engagement, delivering extraordinary results to notable clients over the years, including Fortune 500 companies, studios, museums, theme parks and destination resorts. For more information visit: www.thinkwell.staging.work
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Download a PDF of the press release here.