NEW YORK CITY—In this era of retailers looking to create more experience-based shopping in their stores—in order to gain a competitive advantage over online shopping—Westfield Corp. has hired Broadway, film and television producer Scott Sanders. Westfield also has acquired Sanders' theatrical production company, known as Scott Sanders Theatrical Productions.

He joins the firm as creative head of global entertainment for Westfield centers around the world. Sanders' career spans several decades across feature films, television and live events. He and his firm have won numerous awards, including the 2016 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival for the “The Color Purple” and the 2014 Tony Award for Best Choreography for the musical “After Midnight.”

In addition, Sanders has produced globally televised theatrical events such as the Super Bowl half-time show and is widely credited with reinventing the programming of Radio City Music Hall. As part of his new position at Westfield, he will continue to develop and produce Broadway shows currently in development, along with other live entertainment and media productions.

Entertainment and innovative experiences are an increasingly important part of the overall attraction of Westfield centers, says the company's co-CEO Peter Lowy. This is particularly evident at flagship centers in key cities such as Westfield London and Stratford City, UK; Westfield Century City, Los Angeles; Westfield San Francisco Centre, San Francisco, Westfield Valley Fair in San Jose, CA; Westfield UTC in San Diego and at the newly opened Westfield World Trade Center here.

“It's important that as we continue to integrate our digital platform with our physical assets that we also provide vibrant, exciting places for retailers and consumers,” Lowy says. “Scott's talent and experience will help us create compelling new content and entertainment.”

“This continues our tradition of making our centers about more than just shopping,” Lowy continues. “Live events and entertainment have always been critical to Westfield and Scott will provide a new dimension to our approach and help us further our engagement with our consumers.

For his part, Sanders calls Westfield a market leader in creating and providing retail experiences. “I look forward to being part of the team that continues to expand and evolve the concept of entertainment in these flagship centers.”

Westfield Corp. has interests in 35 shopping centers in the United States and the United Kingdom, encompassing more than 6,500 retail outlets and total assets under management of $29 billion.

Instant Insights /

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