SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium Hires General Manager and Marketing Manager

Merlin Entertainments Group, the world’s second largest visitor attraction operator, announced today that it has hired Hayley Townsend as general manager, and Debbie Gibb as marketing manager, at SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium. Merlin Entertainments Head of Openings James Paulding made the announcement.

As general manager, Townsend will be responsible for overseeing all day-to-day aquarium operations, including hiring, staff retention and sales. In her role as marketing manager, Gibb will manage all marketing and advertising outreach on behalf of SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium to build regional awareness and attract residents and tourists.

“Hayley’s in-depth understanding of and experience with the SEA LIFE brand and its conservation message internationally will make her invaluable as we build and launch our Michigan location,” said Paulding. “Debbie’s diverse, comprehensive marketing experience and familiarity with metro Detroit will be crucial as we work to introduce the SEA LIFE brand to the Midwest.”

Townsend has been with Merlin Entertainments Group since 2002, having served as catering manager, senior operations manager and general manager at various U.S. and U.K. locations during her 12-year career. She earned her business management diploma from U.K.-based University of Leicester.

Gibb has more than 20 years of marketing experience with a focus on tourism, with past positions including marketing manager for Flagstar Bank, vice president of communications and membership for the Michigan Association of CPAs and associate executive director of Student and Youth Travel Association. Gibb earned her Bachelor of Arts in international business administration from Alma College, and her Master of Business Administration from Oakland University.

The 35,000-square-foot aquarium is slated to open in Great Lakes Crossing Outlets in Spring 2015. SEA LIFE’s 7th United States location, and 42nd in the world, will offer guests unparalleled opportunities to get nose-to-nose with more than 5,000 amazing marine creatures such as sharks, stingrays, starfish, jellyfish and more through engaging, interactive and educational exhibits like touch pools and a 180-degree underwater tunnel. By providing breathtaking experiences that wow guests, SEA LIFE aims to inspire visitors to take an active role in conservation.

About SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium

SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium is a 35,000-square-foot aquarium slated to open in Auburn Hills, Mich.-based Great Lakes Crossing Outlets in Spring 2015. As the 7th SEA LIFE location in the United States, and the 42ndin the world, SEA LIFE Michigan will feature engaging, educational and one-of-a-kind experiences that bring guests nose-to-nose with more than 5,000 amazing creatures, including sharks, stingrays, jellyfish, sea horses and much, much more. SEA LIFE provides a glimpse of the diversity of marine life while also playing an active role in animal and environmental conservation. Visitors will see strong evidence of SEA LIFE’s Breed, Rescue and Protect activities around the world, including new projects developed locally. For more information, visit www.visitsealife.com.

About Merlin Entertainments

MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS is the leading name in location-based, family entertainment, and has seen the most successful and dynamic growth of any company in the sector over the last five years. Europe’s Number 1 and the world’s second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates 98 attractions, eight hotels/three holiday villages in 22 countries and across four continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 54 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and more than 21,000 employees.

Merlin has nineteen attractions in the USA - including two stunning LEGOLAND Resorts – LEGOLAND Florida with its Water Park and LEGOLAND California theme park with Water Park, SEA LIFE aquarium and exciting new hotel; Madame Tussauds celebrity wax attractions in New York, Washington DC, Las Vegas and Hollywood; LEGOLAND Discovery Centers in Chicago; Dallas/Fort Worth; Kansas City Missouri; Atlanta, Georgia; and Westchester, New York; and SEA LIFE aquariums in Phoenix, Arizona; Kansas City, Missouri; Dallas/Fort Worth; and the Mall of America in Minneapolis - underlining the company’s position as the world’s biggest global aquarium operator.