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SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. said Friday that it named a new independent director to its board and nominated another, adding two theme park industry veterans to the company as it seeks to revamp its business amid sliding attendance.

Ron Bension, the president of House of Blues Entertainment at Live Nation and former chairman and chief executive of MCA/Universal Studios Recreation Group, was named independent director on the board, the company said. The move comes as Jim Atchison decided to step down as a director, though he will remain a consultant to the company. SeaWorld said Mr. Bension, 61 years old, was responsible for all aspects of Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Florida in addition to developing international theme park joint ventures.

The company also nominated Donald C. Robinson, former executive vice president of Hong Kong Disneyland, for election at the June shareholders meeting to succeed Joe Baratta, global head of private equity at Blackstone. Mr. Baratta previously said he would retire from the board upon the election of his successor.

SeaWorld Chief Executive Joel Manby previously said there was "a ton of pressure" on the company following heavy public scrutiny regarding the treatment of killer whales in captivity. SeaWorld last month said it would stop breeding orcas and cease its theatrical shows featuring them, a dramatic shift as attendance at its theme parks slid 7.9% from 2012 to 2015.

SeaWorld Chairman David F. D'Alessandro said Friday that the board moves, "together with enhancements to our governance practices, is consistent with our priorities and reflects constructive input from our shareholders."

The company's stock, up 22% in the past three months, was unchanged premarket.

Write to Joshua Jamerson at joshua.jamerson@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 15, 2016 08:45 ET (12:45 GMT)

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