Former Universal Creative, SEVEN and Merlin Magic Making Creative Lead Steps into Newly Created Role to Oversee Design and Development of Falcon’s Creative Projects
Orlando, FL (September 4, 2024) — Falcon’s Creative Group, a division of Falcon’s Beyond Global, Inc. (FBYD) (“Falcon’s” or the “Company”), a visionary leader in innovative and immersive storytelling, is proud to announce Matthew M. Martin, an accomplished theme park industry creative executive, has joined the team as a Vice President of Design. In this newly created position with the Company, Matthew will lead a team of creative directors as he conceptualizes ideas and drives the design development pipeline that sets new standards for themed immersive experiences.
With more than 30 years of global experience in the themed entertainment industry, Matthew has led creative teams in all phases of design and development of world class theme parks, themed immersive attractions and experiences. Most recently, he was Creative Director for Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN), a PIF company in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he oversaw the vision, development and brand enhancements of multiple billion-dollar entertainment destinations across the Kingdom. Previously, Matthew was a Creative Producer and Art Director for Universal Creative. Notable project work during his tenure with Universal includes key land development in the upcoming Epic Universe theme park, Universal Islands of Adventure’s Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure and the Jurassic World VelociCoaster.
“For decades, as both a client and a design contemporary, I always considered Falcon’s Creative Group to be the pinnacle of what the theme park industry has to offer,” said Matthew M. Martin. “It is truly an honor to merge my years of design experience and unique global history with their forward-thinking team and game changing projects to ideate the next level of amazing.”
Matthew’s career also includes work with Merlin Magic Making, where he was the Creative Lead for LEGOLAND Parks and designed and delivered numerous attractions and experiences across their global portfolio; and DesignWorks, where he was Chief Creative Officer and led work on theme park attractions, museum exhibits, and themed spaces for youth ministry buildings.
“I’ve had the great pleasure to work with Matthew over the years and admire his genius-level ability to develop and execute complex large-scale projects that seamlessly tie cutting-edge technology with compelling storytelling to amaze and inspire audiences, his colleagues and the theme park industry,” said Cecil D. Magpuri, CEO of Falcon’s Beyond. “Matthew has a mastery of his craft and brings a substantial depth of knowledge and emotional intelligence to his work and I’m thrilled to have him lend his vision to our team.”
Matthew is joining Falcon’s Creative Group during a time of unprecedented growth for the Company, which has been scaling up its workforce to support creative projects worldwide. Some of this work includes Falcon’s Creative Group playing a key role in bringing the world’s first Dragon Ball theme park to life in Qiddiya City (the world’s first city built for play near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) as the master planner, attraction designer and creative guardian of the project. Also, within Qiddiya City, Falcon’s Creative Group is overseeing the master planning and creative guardianship of Saudi Arabia’s first water theme park, Aquarabia, and supporting the experience design and technology development for the world’s first Gaming and Esports district.
Matthew holds an MFA in Scene Design from Boston University and a BA in Architecture from Syracuse University. He is the owner of The Pancake Kingdom LLC, and has authored the book, Every Dad Can Be The Pancake King.
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About Falcon’s Beyond
Falcon’s Beyond is a visionary innovator in immersive storytelling, sitting at the intersection of three potential high growth business opportunities: content, technology, and experiences.
Falcon’s Beyond propels intellectual property (IP) activations concurrently across physical and digital experiences through three core business units:
- Falcon’s Creative Group creates master plans, designs attractions and experiential entertainment, and produces content, interactives and software.
- Falcon’s Beyond Destinations develops a diverse range of entertainment experiences using both Falcon’s Beyond owned and third party licensed intellectual property, spanning location-based entertainment, dining, and retail.
- Falcon’s Beyond Brands endeavors to bring brands and intellectual property to life through animation, movies, licensing and merchandising, gaming as well as ride and technology sales.
Falcon’s Beyond also invents immersive rides, attractions and technologies for entertainment destinations around the world.
FALCON’S BEYOND and its related trademarks are owned by Falcon’s Beyond.
Falcon’s is headquartered in Orlando, Florida Learn more at falconsbeyond.com.
Contact:
Media Relations:
Kathleen Prihoda, Falcon’s Beyond
[email protected]
