DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. has hired former retail industry executive Michael Francis as its new chief global brand officer to handle worldwide branding, licensing and consumer product initiatives. Francis will work for the Glendale studio part time immediately and then full time starting in February 2013. DreamWorks Animation created the position with Francis in mind so the studio can leverage its brand and its growing collection of properties, said Chief Executive Jeffrey Katzenberg and Chief Operating Officer Ann Daly in a joint statement. “Michael is among the world’s top brand strategists whose distinguished career in successfully growing brands around the world is unparalleled,” said Katzenberg and Daly, in a prepared statement. Francis spent more than 26 years with Target Corp. where he was executive vice president and chief marketing officer, and also served as president at J.C. Penney. He also founded and operated Farview Associates LLC, a global brand agency. He said he looked forward to elevating the DreamWorks Animation brand. “This is an incredibly powerful global family brand with enviable brand equity and significant untapped potential,” said Francis, in a prepared statement.