SeaWorld Switching Things Up Again

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. Announces New Chairman And New Lead Independent Director

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., a leading theme park and entertainment company, today announced that its Board of Directors (the “Board”) has elected Yoshikazu Maruyama as Chairman, succeeding David F. D’Alessandro effective October 9, 2017. The company has also elected Donald C. Robinsonas Lead Independent Director, effective October 9, 2017.

“I am honored to succeed David and want to express my deepest appreciation to him for his years of dedication to SeaWorld,” Mr. Maruyama said. “I am excited to bring a fresh perspective to the Board and deeply committed to working with the management team to deliver memorable guest experiences, extend SeaWorld’s iconic brands to global audiences, improve business performance, and enhance value for shareholders and all our important stakeholders.”

Mr. Maruyama, a SeaWorld director since June 2017, is President of Zhonghong Group’s American operation and represents the perspective of a significant, long-term shareholder. He brings over 20 years of global theme park and family entertainment industry experience and helped to lead the early turnaround of Universal Studios Japan, which was recently acquired by Comcast NBCUniversal.

Mr. Robinson, a SeaWorld Director since June 2016, was formerly the Executive Vice President of Hong Kong Disneyland. He has extensive operations expertise, as well as over thirty years of executive and management positions in global theme park, retail, restaurant, resort, and entertainment businesses.

“Our Board is committed to continuing to advance its governance standards and independence, and we believe that by establishing these two complementary roles with clear responsibilities, we can enhance the rigorous and independent oversight of the company and the Board,” Mr. Robinson said. “Yoshi and I intend to work closely with the other directors and the management team to advance the company’s progress on behalf of all its shareholders and other stakeholders.”

“This transition demonstrates our dedication to ensure SeaWorld’s long-term success and growth for the interests of its shareholders and our commitment to a sustainable future,” Mr. D’ Alessandro said. “Yoshi brings the perspective of our largest shareholder. He also has over 20 years of experience in the global theme park industry and helped drive the turnaround of a leading theme park company, creating significant value for its stakeholders. Our company and our Board will benefit from his leadership.”

The company also announced that Mr. D’Alessandro, Judith A. McHale, and Ellen O. Tauscher will step down from the Board of Directors, effective October 9, 2017. -amusementtoday.com

It seems like a week doesn't go by these days without SeaWorld announcing some sort of news! Overall I believe that SeaWorld will survive and they are slowly getting onto the right track.

It seems like the parks are definitely struggling with everything from fast turnarounds on employees to the general public's trust, just read through twitter under a #seaworld hashtag and you'll see what I mean, the bashing is constant. Let's hope the parks image turns soon, and that the Dubai Park will succeed.