Animation Industry Hiring News 2010

The following are highlights of executive promotions or key business hirings for companies whose work is evidenced in part through animation or children's entertainment {A.I. search: "Hiring2010"}. Sesame Workshop has restructured a great deal of its senior management in favor of international business development and global consumer. News this month also spans the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (U.S.), Coolabi (UK), DQ Entertainment (India), and HarperCollins' Children's Books (UK).

Production group twoufour54 had a rather busy summer season this year, and so looks to continue its momentum this autumn. The group's ibtikar segment, which is devoted to providing media and entertainment industry funding for early stage businesses, has appointed Joelle Doumit to the position of Sales Executive, Ibtikar Commercial. She will be responsible for developing broadcast, home entertainment, and digital relations within the Middle East and Northern Africa territories.

The licensing division of Zodiak Media Group, Zodiak Rights, has added two individuals: Emily French Ullah (UK Licensing Manager), and Gaby Dior (International Licensing Manger). Ullah will be in charge of apparel, homewares, furnishings, and other items for her particular market; while Dior, reporting to Angeles Blanco, Head of International Licensing, will focus on the Nordic regions, Benelux, Eastern Europe, and Asia. Ullah most recently worked at 4Kids Ent. and Jetix Consumer Productions; Dior, CPLG. Zodiak Media Group formed earlier this season [related A.I. news: "Zodiak Media Restructures" (10/2010)].

Greg Ballard has become the Senior Vice President of Digital Games over at Warner Bros. Digital Distribution and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (WBIE). Ballard will oversee all business and strategy aspects concerning the digital games business. This includes mobile games, online-only games, and digital distribution of PC, console, and handheld games. Ballard will be working to recruit a new General Manager for Warner's Turbine, Inc.

The Vancouver Film School has earned the attention of Peter Jin Hong, who joins the animation and design school's Digital Design Program advisory board. Hong is currently the User Experience Designer in Search Engineering and Mobile for Google. Hong focuses on conceptualizing and rapid prototyping next-generation applications. According to VFS, program advisory boards are meant as "lifelines to the industry," providing designers a professional link via guest lectures, project mentorship, and potential internship and employment opportunities.

Anime fans on the west coast would be apt to note the departure/resignation of Michael Lattanzio, CEO of the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA). The organization is the parent of the Anime Expo industry convention/event. SPJA's executive personnel and Board of Directors have been significantly embattled with volunteers and exhibitors over the past two years, stemming from numerous service rate hikes and changes in marketing strategy. After the resignation of several division mangers and a lower attendance of the 2010 Anime Expo, Lattanzio has thus departed, thanked by SPJA "for his service and the growth Anime Expo enjoyed under [his] stewardship." Chairman of the Board Marc Perez has since assumed Lattanzio's duties in the interim.

Astral Television Networks, part owner of TELETOON, TELETOON Retro, Family Channel, and Playhouse Disney in Canada, has promoted Heather Senst to Vice President of Creative Services. In her new post, she will observe the creative direction and management for several of Astral TV's media outlets, including HBO Canada, Family Channel, Playhouse Disney, and others. Senst has been with the company for eleven years, during which she helped with rebranding initiatives and product launches across the children's networks.

Read more at: Animationinsider.net