Cici Zheng Takes on Senior Role as Reesee Grows Its China Market
Children’s entertainment, licensing and media company Reesee Entertainment is bolstering its development division with the appointment of Cici Zheng as a joint partner and VP of Content, Global Media and Licensing.
Zheng’s previous role was as Director Content Development, Global Media and Licensing in Alpha Group (China), where she worked for nearly eight years, with project experience across properties including Super Wings, Rev and Roll and Katuri.
In her new role at Reesee Entertainment, Zheng will lead the global exploitation of content partnership, worldwide television and digital media distribution as well as the licensing business for Reesee. She will report to Ray Wang, CEO of Reesee Entertainment.
“I’m delighted to join Reesee Entertainment, and look forward to exploring exciting new opportunities with partners in China and for the international market,” said Zheng.
Reesee Entertainment was founded by Ray Wang, former President of Alpha International, Chief Content Officer of ALHPA GROUP. Reesee is dedicated to kids and family content creations and IP management, with business scope ranging from worldwide media distribution, licensing and toys. At the same time, Reesee Entertainment is helping introduce new brands into China and bringing local shows to the international market. Currently Reesee is developing four original animated series and representing Pocoyo (from Zinkia Spain), Bitz & Bob (from BBC/Boat Rocker) in China, as well as representing A-Squad (from Tencent and Baiyi) for the international market.
“We are very pleased to welcome Cici Zheng to Reesee Entertainment,” Wang said. “She has a great track record with children’s and family projects and is ideally placed to help us cement our reputation for developing and representing high quality properties across the domestic and global markets.”
Genius Brands Promotes Jaffa to COO
LA’s Genius Brands International (GBI) has promoted Michael Jaffa from general counsel and SVP of business affairs to COO, effective immediately. The move happens as Genius onboards the team from ChizComm, which Genius acquired last week.
Beginning in his new role today, Jaffa will oversee the company’s business operations in production, consumer products, global distribution, legal, human resources and diversity. He will also be responsible for integrating newly acquired marketing and media agency ChizComm into the fold.
Jaffa will continue to lead the business and legal operations of GBI’s new digital channels, Kartoon Channel! and Kartoon Classroom!, in addition to maintaining his responsibilities as general counsel. He still reports to chairman and CEO Andy Heyward.
Jaffa has served as general counsel and SVP of business affairs since joining GBI in 2018. Before that, he was head of business affairs at DreamWorks Animation Television and VP of legal and business affairs for Hasbro Studios.
Warner Bros. Promotes Friedman, Feniger in Children and Family Division
Warner Bros. has promoted two key staffers as it continues to build up its successful children and family entertainment division.
Amy Friedman has been named as the new chief of kids and family programming, while Sundance Feniger was promoted to lead digital enterprises for global kids, young adults and classics.
Friedman is now responsible for all creative and strategic direction on kids and family programming for both the Cartoon Network and Boomerang, and she will also develop and produce kids and family content for HBO Max.
Friedman joined WarnerMedia earlier this year as a senior advisor for the Cartoon Network. She previously served in roles for Universal Kids and Nickelodeon.
Feniger will now be heading operations and development of branded digital offerings for Warner Bros. Like Friedman, he previously served in a series of roles with Nickelodeon before joining WarnerMedia in 2016 as VP and GM of Boomerang.