The Blair Partnership appoints Will Obbard and Alex Flanagan to senior roles - TV and streaming

The agency behind Harry Potter has hired Merlin Entertainment’s former partnerships executive Will Obbard to lead its five-year growth strategy, while Amazon veteran Alex Flanagan has become group general counsel.

The Blair Partnership has appointed Will Obbard and Alex Flanagan to senior positions as the company prepares for a new phase of growth. The agency represents Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling, as well as brands including The Wombles and the world of Peter Pan’s Neverland.

Obbard joins from Merlin Entertainments, where he served as vice president of partnerships for more than 12 years. In his new role, he will lead The Blair Partnership’s five-year growth strategy, with a focus on developing revenue through partnerships, new franchises, mergers and acquisitions. He will also explore additional opportunities for the company’s existing clients and intellectual property.

Before joining Merlin, Obbard worked in strategy and mergers and acquisitions at KPMG. He is also a trustee of World Book Day. He said the agency’s portfolio of clients and intellectual property offered significant potential for new partnerships and revenue streams.

Flanagan was appointed group general counsel earlier this year. She arrives after three and a half years in Amazon’s global media and entertainment division, where she advised Amazon Music and Prime Video on licensing agreements with music rights holders, as well as public policy and regulatory matters.

Previously, Flanagan was vice president for global digital legal and business affairs at Universal Music Group and head of legal at UMG’s independent artist distribution platform Spinnup. Her background spans entertainment, music, digital media and licensing.

Neil Blair, founding partner of The Blair Partnership, said the appointments strengthen the company’s leadership team and bring complementary expertise as it pursues growth and innovation. He added that the new executives would help the agency develop its intellectual property and identify opportunities for its clients.

The Blair Partnership provides entertainment representation for authors, creators and intellectual property. Alongside Harry Potter, its portfolio includes The Wombles and the world of Neverland from Peter Pan. A new screen version of Harry Potter is scheduled to debut on HBO and HBO Max this Christmas.

Sources: Variety.