Skybound Entertainment Appoints Former Electronic Arts Executive Jeff Chaiken as SVP, Head of Corporate Development and Strategy

Skybound Games :

LOS ANGELES – Feb. 9, 2024 – Skybound Entertainment, the creator-led, multi-platform entertainment company behind mega-hit franchises The Walking Dead, Invincible, and Impact Winter, is announcing the appointment of Jeff Chaiken as SVP, Head of Corporate Development and Strategy, a new role for the company. Chaiken comes to Skybound with over three decades of experience in M&A, partnerships, and strategy within the media & entertainment and technology sectors, and most recently held the position of Head of Corporate Development and Strategy at Electronic Arts (EA),where he successfully completed transactions expanding EA’s global studio footprint, enhancing EA’s Mobile, Sports, and Entertainment portfolios, and bringing new talent, IP, and technology to the company. Notable transactions include the acquisitions of Respawn Entertainment, the creators of Titanfall, Apex Legends, and STAR WARS Jedi: Survivor; Codemasters’ racing portfolio, including the highly acclaimed F1 Racing; and the addition of many other fan-favorite games, such as Golf Clash, Design Home, Covet Fashion,and Super Mega Baseball.

Joining during a period of notable global expansion for Skybound, Ned Sherman, Chief Business Affairs & Legal Officer at Skybound Entertainment, notes, "We are so excited to welcome Jeff as a key leader on our executive team. By bringing Jeff on, we’re signaling to the market and the business community that we are eagerly and actively looking for more deals.”
 

Chaiken will be integral to Skybound’s strategic planning efforts, focusing on identifying and executing global initiatives, including growth fundraising, investments, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, partnerships, and other strategic transactions.
 

Chaiken sees a tremendous opportunity in joining Skybound to lead the company’s ambitious initiatives, as well.
 

“Skybound’s expertise in bringing compelling entertainment experiences to audiences across mediums unlocks exciting first-to-market advantages across the TV, film, video game, animation, board game, and merchandise sectors. Skybound has a broad portfolio of beloved content and IP, and a high-caliber, experienced team comprised of the industry’s top talent, and I am looking forward to working with this team to continue Skybound’s impressive global growth,” said Chaiken.
 

Chaiken’s hire comes on the heels of several recently completed growth transactions by Skybound, including the acquisition of Sagafilm ehf, a prominent Nordic production company; a majority investment in Nordic games publisher 5th Planet Games; a strategic partnership with game maker MegaCat Studios; an investment in French production company Scenario42, helmed by entertainment tastemaker Médéric Albuoy; and the establishment of Skybound’s latest outpost, Skybound Japan, focusing on Manga, anime, and other Japanese entertainment forms.
 

Prior to EA, Chaiken held leadership roles in corporate development supporting Hewlett-Packard’s software and technology business, and in strategy consulting at Accenture in the Media & Technology sector.


Media Contact
 

Valerie Norton Sandbox Strategies for Skybound [email protected] www.sandboxstrat.com