HTI promoted Alison Downie Global Licensing & Brand Director.
Rocket Licensing appointed Megan Wain as the new Licensing Coordinator.
Penguin Ventures appointed Thomas Merrington to the newly created role of Peter Rabbit Brand Manager & Head Product Development for the Penguin Ventures portfolio. Meanwhile, Penguin Random House Children’s U.K. promoted Richard Haines to the newly created position Head Acquisitions & TV Development.
The Licensing Shop has hired Alexandra Ries to support the retail strategy and development of its Shopkins licensing program.
Electronic Arts tapped COO Peter Moore to lead a new esports division dedicated to the fast-growing niche. He will hold on to the COO title until the end of March.
Discovery Communications’ in-house Discovery Studios named Sandy Varo Jarrell to the newly created role of SVP Creative.
Skarpi Hedinsson has been promoted to CTO for Disney/ABC Television Group.
Rovio Entertainment’s CEO Pekka Rantala will depart, to be replaced by former Chief Legal Officer Kati Levoranta, on Jan. 1. Mikael Hed is promoted to lead Rovio’s media business, including its licensing activities. Wilhelm Taht will head the games unit.
Advantage Intl. named John Lane to lead business development for the agency.
FremantleMedia Intl. appointed Caroline Kusser as SVP Sales & Distribution for the U.S.
The NHL named Steve Mayer EVP & Executive Producer Programming & Creative Development. COO John Collins will depart the league to pursue a new business opportunity.
Adidas CEO Herbert Hainer indicated he plans to stay until the end of his contract in March 2017, even though the board is seeking a successor.
REI promoted Craig Rowley to VP Marketing and named Jed Paulson VP Digital Retail.
Coca-Cola will create a new division called USA Operations that will oversee all U.S. beverages following the departure of Wendy Clark, President Sparkling Brands & Strategic Marketing North America. The new division’s president is Hendrik Steckhan, while Stuart Kronauge will lead brand marketing and Ivan Pollard will lead strategic marketing.
MSG Networks promoted Eric Shih to VP Business Strategy & Development.
Elizabeth Weinreb Fishman is the new VP Strategic Communications at Sesame Workshop.
Michael J. Nicholson will become President, COO & CFO of J. Crew.
AMC Networks made appointed Valerie Cabrera to SVP Distribution and Melissa Landau to SVP Business Affairs for AMC Studios.
Woodcut Media appointed Jeremy Mills to the newly created position of Chairman.
Shine TV promoted Tanya Shaw to Managing Director and Tim Whitwell to Creative Director.
Fullscreen hired Andy Forssell as COO.
HBO SVP Mark Taffet left the network.
Christopher Baldwin, President & COO of BJ’s Wholesale Club, will become President & CEO of the retail chain on Feb. 1.
Stephen Quinn, EVP & CMO of Walmart, will retire Jan. 31. Michael Francis will be hired as a consultant to recraft the retailer’s marketing.
Vicki Lins is the new President & CEO of CTAM.