Orlando, FL (June 13, 2017) – Magic Memories, founded in NZ in 1995, now based in the US and a global leader in capturing, creating and sharing memories, today announced technology industry veterans Jeff Ryan and Sanjay Dholakia have joined its board of directors.
Ryan, GoPro’s senior vice president of people, and Dholakia, Marketo’s former chief marketing officer, will lend their expertise and help guide Magic Memories’ growing global business.
“We’re thrilled Jeff and Sanjay are joining our board as we continue to scale our North American operations and look for new opportunities to surprise and delight our guests,” said Magic Memories chairman Mark Bowman.
“Jeff and Sanjay’s knowledge and leadership will be invaluable as Magic Memories delves into the transformation of personalised experiences. We look forward to their expertise helping to shape our future.”
Since Magic Memories entered the North American market in 2015, it has grown to become one of the the largest bespoke experience providers in the world. The company is leading the digital transformation of how consumers create and share their personalised memories with a variety of products delivered in real time.
“The team at Magic Memories has built an amazing culture over the last 20 years,” said Ryan. “Part of what drew me to the role was the opportunity to help the team scale the company while staying true to who they are.”
“Magic Moments was founded in NZ in 1995 by chairman Mark Bowman and president John Wikstrom.”
Ryan serves as Senior Vice President of People at GoPro where he is responsible for global human resources. He joined the activity capture, photo and video content company just prior to their public offering and has seen the business through rapid growth and change. Prior to joining GoPro, he held senior leadership roles with Electronic Arts and CBS Interactive.
“Magic Memories is transforming the memories industry with their unique approach to combining live experiences and ongoing digital consumer engagement,” said Dholakia. “I’m excited about helping the company expand its digital business and further extend its market leadership.”
He most recently served as Marketo’s CMO for five years, leading the marketing department through its worldwide expansion and IPO. He joined Marketo through the acquisition of social software company Crowd Factory, where he was ceo. Prior to joining Crowd Factory, he held senior leadership roles at Lithium Technologies, SumTotal Systems, McKinsey & Company and Andersen Consulting.
About Magic Memories
Founded in New Zealand in 1995 by John Wikstrom (“a proud Kiwi”) and Stu Norris, Magic Memories is the global leader in helping guests capture, create and share their experiences at the world’s best-loved tourism, sport, cultural, and leisure attractions. Now operating nearly 200 sites worldwide, Magic Memories continues to invest in the evolution of personalised experiences for guests at major entertainment venues across the globe.
Other Kiwis on the board in the US are non-executive directors Craig Styris (an investment director at Pioneer Capital, a growth equity investor in NZ businesses expanding into large international markets) and tourism consultant Geoff Burns (a Chartered accountant from the University of Otago).
They are joined on the board by American independent director Craig Elliott. He’s ex Apple, and has been “lucky enough to work with Kiwi entrepreneurs with Kiwi landing pad and the NZ intern programme bringing Kiwi com/sci students for a tour of Silicon Valley”.
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