Cedar Fair Appoints New Corporate Vice Presidents

[RailRider]

SANDUSKY, Ohio, Oct. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Cedar Fair

Entertainment Company (NYSE: FUN), a leader in regional amusement parks, water

parks and active entertainment, today announced that it has appointed Bob Wagner

to the role of corporate vice president, strategic alliances and Scott Tanner to

the role of corporate vice president, sales.

"I am particularly pleased to add Bob and Scott to the Cedar Fair leadership

team," said Matt Ouimet, Cedar Fair's president. "The expansion of strategic

alliances that will benefit both our guests and our unitholders is an important

part of what will continue to make Cedar Fair parks the industry leaders that

they are today. Bob has a strong professional history of creating mutually

beneficial partnerships, the kind that last for years and become part of the

fabric of the guest experience. Equally important to us is the relationship our

sales teams have with our corporate customers and other sales distribution

channels. I've personally witnessed the leadership qualities Scott possesses and

the impact he drives in terms of creating highly effective sales teams. His

experience in regional, domestic and international tourism will benefit all of

our parks."

Bob Wagner, corporate vice president, strategic alliances, will be responsible

for strengthening and expanding the Company's strategic partnerships,

identifying industry-leading companies that share similar customers, values and

goals. He brings 26 years of extensive experience in all phases of the

entertainment industry, including marketing, sponsorship sales, ticket sales,

merchandise, communications, social media and website development. Wagner most

recently served as senior vice president and chief marketing officer for the

Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League and Honda Center in Anaheim,

California. His successful background also includes four years as the vice

president of sales and business development for the National Hot Rod Association

(NHRA) and nine years as director of sales and marketing for the California

Angels.

Scott Tanner, corporate vice president, sales, will drive the development and

execution of our sales strategies and talent management to expand the services

we provide to corporate and group customers. He has more than 30 years of

experience in the travel and tourism industry and his extensive background

includes working with Fortune 500 firms on breakthrough partnerships and

marketing events. Prior to joining Cedar Fair, Tanner served as director of

sport development for USA Water Polo in Huntington Beach, California. He also

spent 27 years with the Walt Disney Company, including the Disneyland Resort in

Anaheim, where he was directly involved in all aspects of the company's sales

and marketing initiatives.

"Bob and Scott bring broad, diverse and relevant backgrounds in all aspects of

sales and marketing, which will enable us to leverage the capabilities of the

strong team we already have in place," added Ouimet. "Each of them has a strong

record in identifying and delivering growth opportunities and I'm proud to have

them as the latest additions to our talented executive team."

About Cedar Fair

Cedar Fair is a publicly traded partnership headquartered in Sandusky, Ohio, and

one of the largest regional amusement-resort operators in the world. The Company

owns and operates 11 amusement parks, six outdoor water parks, one indoor water

park and five hotels. Amusement parks in the Company's northern region include

two in Ohio: Cedar Point, consistently voted "Best Amusement Park in the World"

in Amusement Today polls, and Kings Island; as well as Canada's Wonderland, near

Toronto; Dorney Park, PA; Valleyfair, MN; and Michigan's Adventure, MI. In the

southern region are Kings Dominion, VA; Carowinds, NC; and Worlds of Fun, MO.

Western parks in California include: Knott's Berry Farm; California's Great

America; and Gilroy Gardens, which is managed under contract.

This news release and prior releases are available online at www.cedarfair.com.

Contact: Stacy Frole (419) 627-2227

SOURCE Cedar Fair Entertainment Company

www.prnewswire.com

Copyright © 2011 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

Notice the California connection and another individual with a Disneyland Connection. I really like how Mr. Ouimet is shapping management within Cedar Fair.

[thekidd33]

He brings 26 years of extensive experience in all phases of the

entertainment industry, including marketing, sponsorship sales, ticket sales,

merchandise, communications, social media and website development.

So...wonder what sort of extremely tasteful and not at all distracting train wraps we can look forward too!?!

On a more serious note, I do feel like the company made a great choice in hiring Mr. Ouimet and I really am excited to see what the future holds for all the CF parks.

[bkroz]

Two new guys, one from Anaheim and one from nearly three decades at the Walt Disney Company and Disneyland Resort. National Hot Rod Association is certainly interesting, and as for this:

Bob Wagner, corporate vice president, strategic alliances, will be responsible for strengthening and expanding the Company's strategic partnerships, identifying industry-leading companies that share similar customers, values and goals.

Red Gold, my friends. Red Gold.

And as for what thekidd quoted, I look forward to seeing how this may impact the parks' social media presence. Lord knows they're a tad behind industry standard. Disney has the Disney Parks blog. Universal has in-park events and specials centered around Twitter. SeaWorld parks has a very involved blog and massive Facebook presence. Even Six Flags' Twitter is friendly and pun-ny with visitors (which sometimes may even border on unprofessional, but at least it's welcoming and inviting and fun). Kings Island had a Facebook discussion page (gone) and has a Twitter page that is very "business," with a noticeable lack of playfulness or interaction, as though each tweet must go through corporate first (and knowing Cedar Fair, it very well may).

That's sad, to me, because in-park displays at Halloween and the rare personal interaction would have me believe that the folks at Kings Island are very capable of humor and poking fun at themselves. It would be nice to see that extended to a broader social scale where others can see it.

[Leland Wykoff]

Will be interesting to see how Mr. Ouimet continues building his team. Looks like he has brought on some strong players. Creating the new position of Strategic Alliances signals new directions for Cedar Fair.

Both gentlemen have strong Disney connections. That Mr. Ouimet was able to bring them on-board says a lot about both his leadership and the industry view of Cedar Fair's future.

[The Interpreter]

...and I seriously doubt either will live in Cedar Point's parking lot!

[Avatar]

This looks very promising. I think we have enjoyed and watched Cedar Fair become a major Brand with Mr. Kinzel and company at the helm and believe the choice of Mr. Ouimet will be the best decision for Cedar Fairs future. These appointments are in a way a great glimpse into how Cedar Fair will run in the future. One thing for sure it seems the successor has vision and is putting people he believes can carry out his vision. As I have said before exciting times ahead for everyone.

And as for what thekidd quoted, I look forward to seeing how this may impact the parks' social media presence. Lord knows they're a tad behind industry standard. Disney has the Disney Parks blog. Universal has in-park events and specials centered around Twitter. SeaWorld parks has a very involved blog and massive Facebook presence. Even Six Flags' Twitter is friendly and pun-ny with visitors (which sometimes may even border on unprofessional, but at least it's welcoming and inviting and fun). Kings Island had a Facebook discussion page (gone) and has a Twitter page that is very "business," with a noticeable lack of playfulness or interaction, as though each tweet must go through corporate first (and knowing Cedar Fair, it very well may).

Each chain of parks uses the social media to reach out to a variety of readers, sometimes it is to prompt impromptu visits from guests or to promote a special, while others may use the social media to reach out to the media, industry publications, and visitor and convention bureaus to give them updates or to promote a story idea. Each park must understand their market needs and to be in tune with its audience and adjust their posting to include everyone in a balanced way.

[Oldiesmann]

Should be interesting to see what these guys bring to the company. Interesting that both have sports experience as well.

As far as the discussions tab on KI's Facebook page - blame that on Facebook, not KI. Someone at FB decided that "the best way to encourage conversation and feedback is through posts and comments on your wall", and they're killing the discussions feature at the end of the month.

[The Interpreter]

All the better to sell ads, track users, and monetize users.