Beginning May 3, 2016, Wizard World, Inc. will have a new President and Chief Executive Officer, John D. Maatta. Wizard World is the company behind numerous events and comic conventions that celebrate the very best of pop culture, celebrity, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology and live music.

Maatta has enjoyed a particularly successful career as an entertainment executive, having served as the first employee of the WB Television Network, as well as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of both the WB and the CW Television Network—where he was the co-head of the network for more than six years. Maatta served in various capacities as an executive at Warner Bros and Lorimar-Telepictures Corporation for almost 28 years.

Mr. Maatta currently serves as the President of UNICEF in Southern California, and as Chairman of the UNICEF Chinese Children’s Initiative.  Additionally, Mr. Maatta serves on the Board of Trader Vic’s Corporation, and is a member of the advisory Board of the Asia Society.

The change came after Wizard World Inc. reported a $4.3 million loss in 2015, due mainly to a decline in convention revenue and its losses from ConTV. Expect some more changes with Maatta at the helm and his background in television entertainment.