California Apparel News

Paul Kurzawa, the popular chief operating officer of Caruso Affiliated, was named head of retail development and entertainment at DreamWorks Animation, it was announced July 31.

DreamWorks is exploring opportunities at top retail spaces and developers around the world.

DreamWorks’ roster of intellectual properties includes popular movie franchises such as “Shrek,” “Madagascar” and “Kung Fu Panda.” “As soon as we made the decision to expand our brand into the retail space, there was no doubt in my mind that we needed Paul Kurzawa,” said Jeffrey Katzenberg, DreamWorks Animation’s chief executive officer, in a statement. “Caruso Affiliated has successfully redefined the shopping experience in the United States, and Paul, the protégé of its founder, Rick Caruso, will now lead our efforts to take the powerful DreamWorks brand and do the same thing for families across the world.”

Kurzawa said he hopes to create distinctive shopping destinations with DreamWorks.

“When you create unique shopping experiences, people develop an emotional attachment that keeps them coming back with their friends and loved ones. For years, shopping-center owners and developers have struggled with how to differentiate their properties and keep them relevant, and I have no doubt that DreamWorks Animation’s incredible portfolio will bring that magic to these unique shopping destinations,” he said in a company statement.

Kurzawa had worked for Caruso Affiliated since 2006 and managed the company’s residential and retail assets. He oversaw the development, leasing and management for The Linq, Caruso’s development owned by Caesars Entertainment in Las Vegas, and managed the pre-development and the grand opening for 8500 Burton Way, a mixed-use development in Beverly Hills, Calif., according to his LinkedIn entry.