Marvel Entertainment Group has named former NBA Properties
Marketing & Media Group President, David Schreff, as their new
President & COO. The WALL STREET JOURNAL's John Lippman notes
the move is aimed at strengthening the comic-book publisher's
"push" into media and merchandising venues. Schreff will report
to Marvel CEO William Bevins (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 8/21).
Schreff had been with the NBA for six years, and according to
INSIDE MEDIA, will also be responsible for Marvel's location-
based entertainment properties, including Marvel Mania, a themed
restaurant set to launch in '97 (INSIDE MEDIA ONLINE, 8/21). AD
AGE's Jeff Jensen writes Schreff's departure continues Marvel's
"quite rapid evolution" from a comic book publisher to a diverse
youth entertainment marketer. Schreff's announcement comes as
NBA Properties named Gary Stevenson to assume Schreff's position
Monday. Stevenson has worked with the NBA since February on the
development of the WNBA. He will report to NBAP President Rick
Welts (ADVERTISING AGE, 8/19 issue).
