Video Interview: Saban Brands’ Elie Dekel

NEW YORK: Elie Dekel, president of Saban Brands, talks to World Screen about what’s in store for the upcoming relaunch of the Power Rangers.

After launching in 1993 on the Fox Kids Network, Power Rangers quickly became one of the most popular children’s television series in the U.S. It featured the humorous adventures of a group of ordinary young people who “morphed” into superheroes. The recurring themes of teamwork, fitness, responsibility, and helping others resonated with children in many countries as well. Consequently the show became an international success and has aired in more than 40 markets.

Elie Dekel was part of the original team that launched Power Rangers. He worked for Haim Saban and was president of Saban Consumer Products/Fox Family Worldwide, where he oversaw the company’s worldwide marketing and branding efforts. He also served as head of licensing and merchandising for Twentieth Century Fox, where he headed the worldwide licensing, promotion and consumer products marketing for many of their film and television ventures, including The Simpsons, Family Guy and Ice Age, among others. He is now back with Haim Saban, overseeing the development of licensing, merchandising and intellectual property opportunities in the U.S. and internationally.