Disney, Universal, Merlin, IAAPA and other companies with Central Florida connections are represented by individuals in the recently released Theme Park Influencer List 2023 compiled by Blooloop.
The global list salutes 50 leaders for innovation and creativity, and it singles out a group known as the Power 10.
Scott O’Neil, CEO of Merlin Entertainments Group, and Fiona Eastwood, chief operating officer of the company, made the Power 10 list. Kirsty Burkill, vice president of marketing for Merlin; Jonathan Lewis, global intellectual property licensing director; and John Burton, creative lead, resort theme parks division of Merlin Magic Making, are on the Blooloop 50 list.
Merlin operates Legoland Florida theme park in Winter Haven as well as Madame Tussauds Orlando, Sea Life Orlando Aquarium and dozens of other attractions.
Luc Mayrand, vice president and creative portfolio executive at Walt Disney Imagineering, was selected among the Power 10. Other WDI representatives among the 50 include executive creative director Scott Mallwitz, senior creative director Dustin J. Schofield, media designer Joe Herrington and creative executive Zsolt Hormay.
Page Thompson, president of new ventures for Universal Destinations & Experiences, was selected for the Blooloop 50, and Universal Creative is represented by executive producer Shelby Honea, senior show writer Patrick Braillard and art director Brandon Kleyla.
Jakob Wahl, president and CEO of Orlando-based International Association of Amusement Park and Attractions, and Alice Mathu, its vice president for business development and partnership, are on the 2023 list.
Tom Acomb and Mike Ostendorf, chief creative executive and CEO, respectively, of Winter Park-based AOA, were selected as members of the Power 10. AOA creates immersive experience design and themed entertainment projects.
Daryl White, executive vice president of global licensing and business development for Orlando-based Falcon’s Beyond, which develops resorts, theme parks, animation, gaming and movies.
Blooloop is a news website that covers the attractions industry. Readers nominate attraction professionals for the influencer list, and a panel of judges makes the final selection.
The entire list is available at blooloop.com.
