Digital gaming vet Jack Sorensen, who has played a hand in managing Star Wars and Pixar game franchises, will be at the helm of Saban Brands’ mobile gaming division The Playforge as president.

Based in San Francisco, Sorensen will be responsible for overseeing the development of mainly character-based mobile games. Sorensen will also lead efforts to expand, promote and monetize The Playforge’s digital IP, including flagship title Zombie Farm, through transmedia extensions within traditional media, licensing and merchandising.

Sorensen’s appointment falls in line with Saban’ strategy to further itself within the mobile space, as the company expects to deliver a stream of new games, IP and collaborations this year. He brings with him more than 20 years of game industry experience in both public and private companies. Before working as an entrepreneur and advisor in the mobile game industry, he was EVP of worldwide studios at THQ until he left the company in 2008, and before that was president at LucasArts Entertainment.

Saban has been taking large digital steps since acquiring The Playforge last August for an undisclosed sum. In the online space, the company recently partnered with European online subscription service LoveFilm and acquired the kid-friendly search engine Zui.com.