Funko, the pop-culture collectibles company behind Pop! figurines and the Loungefly accessories brand, has named Josh Simon as its next Chief Executive Officer, effective September 1, 2025. Simon joins from Netflix, where he built and led the streamer’s global consumer products business; he previously held leadership roles at Nike and The Walt Disney Company. He succeeds Mike Lunsford, who has served as interim CEO since July and will remain on the board.
Why this move matters
Funko is in the midst of a reset—simplifying its product mix, refining partnerships with top-tier IP owners, and expanding deeper into direct-to-consumer channels. Simon’s background is tailor-made for that agenda: he has spent the last several years transforming stories and characters into physical products, retail experiences, and fan engagement flywheels.
For sales and partnership teams, a leadership change like this is a classic sales trigger event—one that often precedes shifts in strategy, vendor mix, and budget priorities.
The hire at a glance
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Role & start: CEO beginning Sept. 1, 2025; also joining Funko’s board. The company confirmed the appointment in its official press release.
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Background: Vice President, Global Consumer Products at Netflix; prior senior posts at Nike and Disney—a mix of entertainment, licensing, and retail expertise that maps closely to Funko’s licensing-driven model. Details are outlined in the company announcement.
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Comp & terms: The Form 8-K filing indicates a three-year employment agreement (with automatic one-year renewals unless notice is given) and describes cash and equity components typical for a CEO package.
Reading the tea leaves
Funko’s board chair Charles Denson framed Simon as an operator who blends licensing, operations, and strategy—exactly the mix Funko needs as it rationalizes SKUs and doubles down on evergreen franchises.
The press materials also emphasize Simon’s remit at Netflix—monetizing franchises across physical goods and live experiences—which mirrors Funko’s push beyond vinyl figures into adjacent categories and direct-to-consumer programs. Expect early signals in the form of refreshed licensing slates, experiential tie-ins, and sharper channel strategy.
Just weeks before this announcement, Funko reinstalled Mike Lunsford as interim CEO to stabilize operations during the search. That cadence—swift interim appointment followed by a rapid naming of a permanent leader—suggests the board wanted minimal drift heading into the back half of 2025, a critical period for retail sell-through.
What to watch next
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Holiday execution & outlook: The new CEO’s first 100 days overlap peak retail season. Watch for guidance updates and whether price/mix moves are improving margins without denting demand.
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Licensing and franchise mix: Simon’s track record points to deeper partnerships and fan-first experiences. Any new IP deals or cross-category launches will be telling.
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DTC and community flywheel: Funko’s fan community is an asset. Look for expanded direct channels, bundles, and event-driven drops.
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Org & vendor shifts: New leaders often reshape org charts and vendor rosters. These changes can create openings for agencies, manufacturers, and retail partners. For ongoing coverage of leadership changes, check the Executive Moves blog.
A Logical and Timely Appointment
Funko didn’t just pick a steady hand; it chose a brand-builder whose resume is rooted in converting fandom into commerce at a global scale. With macroeconomic headwinds still swirling and a turnaround in progress, Simon’s success will hinge on sharpening Funko’s franchise portfolio, streamlining its supply chain, and rebuilding momentum in DTC and retail channels.
For a company built on capturing what fans love, hiring an executive steeped in IP monetization and consumer engagement looks like a logical—and timely—swing.