HIT Entertainment Restructures Team

Chief executive Jeff Dunn, who was appointed earlier this year, said that the change will better align the organization with two of the company's strategic priorities—enhanced geographic focus and coordinated brand management for HIT's stable of properties.

Peter Byrne, executive vice president of consumer products and home entertainment, international, will work on expanding the international business, which is the largest and fastest growing part of the company. He will focus on expanding developing markets, third party licensing and acquisitions and further increasing HIT's international consumer products and home entertainment business. Byrne continues to have global responsibility for live events and attractions and publishing. He will be based in London, reporting to Dunn.

Pam Westman has been promoted to executive vice president of consumer products and home entertainment,

The restructuring includes the creation of a global brand management function. Natasha Fishman and Rick Glankler have been promoted to senior vice presidents, brand management, responsible for the long-term planning and strategic direction for HIT's portfolio, working with the existing regional marketing teams in New York, London and Toronto. The global brand management team will report directly to Dunn.

Dunn comments: "As we developed our strategic vision for the company, two opportunities became very clear. We had a large opportunity to further grow our international business and we could benefit from having brand plans that unite our different business platforms into a co-ordinated overall vision for each of our properties.  These management changes will create key executives to focus on those opportunities."

In addition HIT has centralized its legal department with the appointment of Joseph Salvo as senior vice president, global general counsel. Salvo will be based in New York.