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Key Executives Leave Marvel There are big changes over at Marvel as Tim Rothwell, president of worldwideconsumer products, and Bruno Maglione, president of Marvel International, haveleft the company, according to a filing with the SEC. While the dust settles,Paul Gitter and Matt Finick will be the acting managers of the global licensingdivision with the following senior management providing support and taking onadditional responsibilities: Gitter will assume all responsibilities fordomestic consumer products licensing; Mark Rhodes will report to Gitter onretail channel growth strategy; Finick will assume all responsibilities forUK/Japan operations and finance; Shailesh Patel will report to Finick andmanage the day-to-day operations of the UK and Japan offices; Josh Silvermanwill assume responsibilities for all international agents' licensing and reportto Finick; and Daniela Tose will report to Silverman and manage the day-to-dayinternational agent business. Adam Wolff will support the global licensinggroup with deal analytics and intelligence, while Kevin Feige will assumecreative oversight/direction for the animation and interactive segments, withChris Fondacaro developing the theatrical consumer products style guides. AmesKirshen will report to Feige on interactive creative matters; David Maisel willassume responsibilities for the business aspects of wireless, animation, andinteractive matters, with Seth Lehman consulting on the interactive andwireless business and legal issues and Dan Buckley working with Gitter andFinick for all global license publishing initiatives. Marvel could not bereached for comment. USCPG Licensing Goes to Home Division Changes also are going on over at Universal Studios Consumer Products Group asthe company's licensing arm will be folded into the home entertainment group inJanuary 2007 to take advantage of synergies in retail distribution. Further,its wireless and interactive groups will be aligned with the business anddigital initiatives of Universal Pictures. Cartoon Network Unveils Massive Online Strategy Cartoon Network is partnering with Grigon Entertainment on the network's firstmassively multiplayer online game. The deal marks the first-ever partnershipbetween a U.S. entertainment company and a Korean developer to create an MMOGfor the global marketplace. The game, due in 2008, will be free to downloadwith subscription, and micro-transactions will be available to players toenhance the gaming experience. Mattel Brands Taps New Master Apparel Licensee Mattel Brands Consumer Products signed Children's Apparel Network as masterlicensee for Barbie apparel in the U.S. The first collection (suggestedretails, $10 to $60) will launch in all channels in spring 2007 and will offersportswear, activewear, outerwear, and swimwear in girls' sizes 2 through 16. Toys "R" Us Kicks Off Toys for Tots Program Toys "R" Us, Inc., will partner with the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation on anationwide campaign to boost toy and monetary donations during the 2006 holidayseason. Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us stores across the country will serve asthe "Giving Headquarters" from October through December by collecting both cashand toys. Online shoppers also will be able to make a cash donation viawww.Toysrus.com/ToysforTots. The company made a $1 million toy donation to Toysfor Tots and a $100,000 cash donation to kick off the program. Collective International takes on Sims Snowboards Collective International, LLC, secured the exclusive worldwide rights to SimsSnowboards from Tom and Hilary Sims. The agreement names Collective theexclusive licensing agent through 2026 and also provides Collective the optionto purchase the trademarks in the near future. Included in the agreement aretrademarks World Snowboarding Championships, Sugarboards, and Carve. Deal Is Music to Pok |
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