Authentic Brands Group has appointed Clément Smadja as Chief Legal Officer, adding an executive with experience across corporate transactions, media, entertainment, sports, public-company governance, and strategic legal matters. Smadja will report to Authentic President and Chief Executive Officer Matt Maddox.
Smadja joins Authentic from Fox Corporation, where he served as Senior Vice President and provided direction and strategic counsel across a range of business matters, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, SEC compliance, and corporate governance. He played a leading role in the spin-off and stand-up of Fox as a public company and, more recently, worked on Fox’s proposed acquisition of Roku, a transaction with an enterprise value of approximately $22 billion.
Before Fox, Smadja was a partner at Kirkland & Ellis, where he advised domestic and international clients on complex transactions and corporate matters. Authentic said that experience will be increasingly relevant as it expands brands through media, live experiences, licensing, and partnerships across entertainment, sports, and culture.
Smadja succeeds Jay Dubiner, who has served as Authentic’s Chief Legal Officer since 2015. Dubiner will remain on the executive team as Executive Vice Chairman, working with Jamie Salter, Founder and Executive Chairman, and Matt Maddox on major transactions and strategic priorities. The company credited Dubiner with helping build its legal organization and global brand platform.
Authentic owns and invests in a portfolio of more than 50 brands and says its brands generate more than $38 billion in annual systemwide sales. The company works with more than 1,700 licensees and strategic partners across 150 countries.
KEY QUOTES:
“We’re expanding how our brands and intellectual property reach people through media, live experiences and strategic partnerships around the world. Clément has an exceptional track record of advising on complex transactions. His sound judgment and deep legal expertise will be valuable as we continue building a global platform at the intersection of entertainment, sport and culture.”
Matt Maddox, President And Chief Executive Officer Of Authentic Brands Group
“I was drawn to Authentic’s entrepreneurial culture and to a leadership team that approaches the business with ambition, creativity and discipline. I’m excited to step into the role of Chief Legal Officer and leverage my background to help Matt, Jamie and the entire team shape Authentic’s continued growth.”
Clément Smadja, Chief Legal Officer Of Authentic Brands Group
“Working alongside the incredible leadership at Authentic to grow the business and build the global legal team has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and look forward to continuing the work that will define Authentic’s next era.”
Jay Dubiner, Executive Vice Chairman Of Authentic Brands Group
