Following NBCUniversal’s acquisition of DreamWorks Animation, Universal Filmed Entertainment Group restructures its management team. Vince Klaseus leads the combined Universal and DreamWorks Animation games, digital and consumer products divisions. Margie Cohn helms the newly integrated television animation business. Both Klaseus and Cohn now report to group Chairman Jeff Shell. Jeffrey Katzenberg is Chairman of DreamWorks new media, overseeing Awesomeness TV and NOVA. DWA’s Co-Presidents of feature animation Bonnie Arnold and Mireille Soria now report to Universal Pictures Chairman Donna Langley. Ann Daly steps down as President of DreamWorks Animation.
ABG promotes John Erlandson to Chief Revenue Officer, hires Adam Geisler as Group EVP Sports, and promotes Matthew Nordby to President Intl. Business Development & Gaming.
Chinese animation company Alpha Group launches feature-focused, L.A.-based div. Alpha Animation and names Bob Bacon as its CEO.
Meredith promotes Tom Harty to President & COO, Jon Werther to President of the National Media Group, Tom Witschi to President Consumer Products, Georgine Anton to President Meredith Xcelerated Marketing, Kim Martin to Chief Brand Officer, Doug Olson to President & GM Meredith Magazines, and Stan Pavlovsky to President Meredith Digital.
Endemol Shine Group launches new game studio and publishing label Good Catch. Anil Mistry, current Head Apps & Games for Endemol Shine U.K. takes on the role of Managing Director. Meanwhile, Frances Adams is promoted to Global Director Brands & Licensing, Jane Smith is brought on as Commercial Brand Executive, and Alice Bernardi joins as Head U.K. Licensing.
eOne appoints Dorothy Chan its new Head Asia for eOne Family and eOne Licensing.
Turner Asia Pacific appoints Eric Lee to lead its location-based entertainment business for the region.
Warner Bros. appoints Gillian Zhao as the company’s first-ever EVP, MD & Country Manager for China.
BBC Worldwide ANZ hires Dustin Lockett to serve as Commercial Director where he oversees live events and entertainment, consumer products and home entertainment.
Melanie Teed-Murch is promoted to President of Toys ‘R’ Us Canada.
Fluid World hires Angeles Blanco as European Licensing Manager.
Johannes-Philipp Berendes and Moritz Burmeister are named Managing Directors at Iconicfuture.
Alix Wiseman moves to 9 Story as VP Business Development & Acquisitions.
Marie Congé joins Parisian production company GO-N as Head Sales & Business Development.
Raphaelle Mathieu replaces Congé as VP Sales, Acquisitions & New Media at Cyber Group Studios.
Mobile exec Jeff Nuzzi and director/animator Bob Spang launch Like Pizza, a Pasadena, CA-based digital media studio focused on developing multiplatform original animated properties.
Tim Patterson launches U.K.-based Larkshead Media, a kids media service company focused on series development as well as licensing, merchandising, and international distribution.
Corus Entertainment welcomes Athena Georgaklis as Nelvana’s new Head Development.
Indigenous Media names John Zhang EVP Marketing.
Hasbro president Brian Goldner joins Gap’s board of directors.
Fanatics names Glen Giovanucci VP Retail Sales for Fanatics Branded, the company’s in-house merchandise division.
Matthew Ball joins Amazon Studios as Head Strategy to lead both original and licensed programming strategies.
Aardman’s Head Sales & Acquisitions Alix Wiseman leaves. She is replaced by Alison Taylor.
Bright Group Intl. welcomes new Global Contracts Manager Sandra Tharumalingam Willmer and Art Licensing Agent Fiona Kenny.
Michael Cohen joins Walker Furniture as President.
Engino Toy Systems appoints Robert Mann VP Intl.
Andre Persaud, EVP Shopko and Hometown divisions of Shopko Stores, leaves his post.
Barnes & Noble fires CEO Ronald D. Boire.