# Yehuda Shmidman

> Yehuda Shmidman is the New York-based founder, chairman and CEO of WHP Global, which he established with Oaktree Capital in 2019. Previously COO of Iconix and CEO of Sequential Brands Group, he builds consumer-brand businesses through acquisitions, licensing and operating partnerships. His work spans Toys“R”Us, Vera Wang and the 2026 Marc Jacobs joint venture with G-III. WHP reported more than $9.5 billion in annual retail sales across its portfolio in September 2026.

- **Role:** Founder, Chairman and CEO at WHP Global
- **Organizations:** WHP Global, Toys“R”Us, Sequential Brands Group (former CEO), Iconix Brand Group (former COO), Wave Hill Partners (founder and former CEO), Fashion Scholarship Fund
- **Education:** Bachelor’s degree in political science, magna cum laude, Yeshiva University
- **Known for:** Named to Crain’s New York 40 Under 40 in 2011., Included in Fortune’s 2015 40 Under 40., Founded WHP Global in 2019; its portfolio was reported to generate over $9.5 billion in annual retail sales across 80-plus countries in September 2026.

## Career timeline

- **2004** — Earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Yeshiva University.
- **2005** — Marketed ShasPod, an iPod preloaded with 2,711 Talmud lectures; joined Iconix Brand Group in October.
- **2010** — Became chief operating officer of Iconix Brand Group.
- **2012-11** — Appointed CEO of Sequential Brands Group; served through March 2017.
- **2018-04** — Founded Wave Hill Partners and served as CEO.
- **2019** — Founded WHP Global together with Oaktree Capital; first acquisition was Anne Klein. Also began serving as vice chairman of Tru Kids.
- **2020-03** — WHP completed the Joseph Abboud acquisition; Oaktree increased its equity commitment to $350 million.
- **2021-03** — WHP acquired a controlling interest in Tru Kids, owner of Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us.
- **2025-01** — WHP completed the Vera Wang intellectual-property acquisition; Wang remained creative chief and became a WHP shareholder.
- **2026-04** — WHP completed the Lands’ End intellectual-property joint venture.
- **2026-09** — WHP and G-III completed their Marc Jacobs acquisition from LVMH.

## Achievements

- Named to Crain’s New York 40 Under 40 in 2011.
- Included in Fortune’s 2015 40 Under 40.
- Founded WHP Global in 2019; its portfolio was reported to generate over $9.5 billion in annual retail sales across 80-plus countries in September 2026.
- Led WHP’s acquisition of control of the Toys“R”Us brand owner and subsequent retail partnerships.
- Guest lecturer at Columbia University; his official biography also lists NYU Stern and Fordham Law School.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Appeared with Dani Burger on Bloomberg Open Interest to discuss WHP and the Toys“R”Us comeback; video dated October 6.
- **2026-09** — Toys“R”Us announced 120 additional standalone U.S. stores planned for the holiday season with Go! Retail Group; the announcement described 40 existing standalone locations.
- **2026-09** — WHP and G-III closed their Marc Jacobs acquisition on September 1, each owning 50 percent of the intellectual-property venture; Marc Jacobs remained creative director.
- **2026-04** — Lands’ End and WHP completed their IP joint venture on April 1. Lands’ End received $300 million for WHP’s 50 percent controlling interest.
- **2026-01** — Listed as a speaker at Shoptalk Luxe in Abu Dhabi with the session Lessons in Positive Reinvention: Brands Bold Enough to Pivot.

## Links

- Website: https://www.whp-global.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shmidman

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/yehuda-shmidman
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-26